Frequently Asked Questions

We have startups from more than 75 countries offering solutions across the entire food and agriculture value chain. Nearly 60% of startups in the hub are between Seed to Series C. Approximately 85% of startups in our hub are focused on sustainable impact.

The Foodbytes hub was created to help automate startup searches through saved searches and watchlist functions. You can select criteria from 100 different options and then establish saved search lists that are set up to deliver new startups to your inbox regularly. Connecting with startups and corporates/investors on Foodbytes is simple. Click on the “Get in Touch” button in the upper right-hand corner and add a message around why you would be a good fit for each other.

Foodbytes does not invest directly in startups. As Rabobank’s primary innovation proposition, Foodbytes has fueled Rabobank Ventures and Rabo Corporate Investments’ pipelines for the past eight years. Foodbytes is the first step for startups to enter the broader Rabobank ecosystem. As they grow past the scaleup phase, they can engage with other Rabobank product groups, from strategic advisory, to direct investment, to equipment financing. Learn more about the Network.

All startup profile information is uploaded and updated by the startups themselves to ensure information is as accurate as possible.

Alumni Badge: This distinction was given to an exclusive set of startups that participated in our legacy pitch competitions. These companies maintain close connectivity with the Foodbytes team. No new startup entrants receive this badge.
Spotlight Badge: These startups have been identified by Foodbytes analysts and curated Rabobank sector experts through our ongoing, monthly review process within the following criteria:

• Thematic alignment: Demonstrates alignment with the monthly Foodbytes theme, as determined by a dedicated group of 5-10 Rabobank sector expertse
• Robust profile: Startup is published to the Foodbytes online hub with a complete and up-to-date profile
• Commercial Viability: Development stage is launch, validation or growth phase
• Industry Validation: Fundraising activity is Seed stage and beyond or profile details commercial pilots or partnerships
• Sustainability: Profile contains explicit mention of the startup’s direct impact on sustainability, including carbon, labor, food waste, nutrition, or other key sustainability metrics.

As the leading bank in F&A, Rabobank offers all kinds of financing and tools to fuel the growth of the industry and support its evolution towards more sustainable practices. Products range from corporate lending to green loans. Our RaboResearch experts work hand in hand with Foodbytes to provide our users with cutting edge insights into the industry to help companies across the supply chain future proof their businesses.

Investors focused on pre-Seed to Series C investing in food, food tech, agtech or climate tech, along with those looking for insights to support their investment decisions and who value Rabobank’s F&A innovation expertise.

As of October 2023, there have been more than 2500 pitch deck downloads and over 500 connections made between corporates, investors and startups. Some of our users have completed more than 100 searches to find startup matches across numerous interest areas. And with our recent Corporate and Investor Profile feature, a growing number of users have opted-in to direct outreach from aligned startups.

If you feel that we have not handled or addressed an issue to your complete satisfaction, please contact us here. Please provide your name and phone number so we can reach you to obtain more details concerning the issue you are experiencing. Please note: Your complaint is treated confidentially at all times.

• Reciprocity: View and contact mission-aligned potential partners
• Free and efficient business development: Be searchable by 800+ corporate and investor users
• Industry exposure: Potential to be featured in our monthly thematic reports
• Rabobank support: Learn more about how Rabobank supports startups

The following types of startups will benefit most from the Foodbytes ecosystem:

• Food, food tech, agtech or climate tech startups
• Pre-Seed to Series C funding stage
• Focused on making the F&A industry more sustainable
• Looking for corporate partners and / or investment to grow

Foodbytes is designed to support companies throughout their lifecycles, from ideation all the way to exit. As part of a global bank, we welcome startups, scaleups and emerging growth companies who can benefit from exposure and connection to our network of leading food and agriculture corporates and investors. If you are looking for commercial partners or investors, Foodbytes is for you, no matter your stage.

Startups that keep their information complete and up-to-date (including pitch deck uploads, current needs and milestones) receive the most exposure to potential partners.

Alumni Badge: This distinction was given to an exclusive set of startups that participated in our legacy pitch competitions. These companies maintain close connectivity with the Foodbytes team. No new startup entrants receive this badge.

Spotlight Badge: These startups have been identified by Foodbytes analysts and curated Rabobank sector experts through our ongoing, monthly review process within the following criteria:

• Thematic alignment: Demonstrates alignment with the monthly Foodbytes theme, as determined by a dedicated group of 5-10 Rabobank sector experts
• Robust profile: Startup is published to the Foodbytes online hub with a complete and up-to-date profile
• Commercial Viability: Development stage is launch, validation or growth phase
• Industry Validation: Fundraising activity is Seed stage and beyond or profile details commercial pilots or partnerships
• Sustainability: Profile contains explicit mention of the startup’s direct impact on sustainability, including carbon, labor, food waste, nutrition, or other key sustainability metrics

Startups with complete profiles can access our network of mission-aligned potential partners directly, through our Corporate / Investor Profile feature. Learn more about the innovation strategies of the 800+ corporate and investor users and request intros to up to five aligned companies each month with a personalized message. Also, ensure you’re among the first to know about more features and product updates by enabling notifications through your in-hub settings.

The Foodbytes hub is the entry point for food and agriculture startups into Rabobank’s vast global network. As you grow, you may be eligible to partner with other product groups, from strategic advisory, to direct investment, to equipment financing (learn more in our Network page).

We understand if you would like to join Foodbytes to read our insights, explore potential partners and enter Rabobank’s ecosystem but are not yet ready to interact with other users of the platform. We have ensured that, as the owner of your startup profile, you’re able to control all information that is visible to corporates and investors. Additionally, you can set up your profile with a general company email address to make sure inquiries can be easily delegated to others in your team.

If you feel that we have not handled or addressed an issue to your complete satisfaction, please contact us here. Please provide your name and phone number so we can reach you to obtain more details concerning the issue you are experiencing. Please note: Your complaint is treated confidentially at all times.