UPTEC startup receives investment of €50,000 from EIT Food

Hortee is one of the latest startups to be included in the portfolio of the EIT Catalyse New European Bauhaus (NEB) 2024 programme, after being invested with €50,000 by EIT Food, the world’s largest food innovation community.

The startup incubated at UPTEC — Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, which has developed an online platform for buying local products, was one of those chosen by EIT Food to be part of the 28 companies that make up the 2024 Catalyse NEB programme.

As part of the NEB programme, Hortee and other European startups are poised to make a significant impact on climate, cities, transport, industry, and food systems. The €50,000 investment from EIT Food will be instrumental in this endeavour. Moreover, Hortee will now have access to invaluable NEB training in leadership, business mentoring, and Europe’s largest innovation network.

Launched by the European Commission at the beginning of 2021, the New European Bauhaus is an environmental, socialandcultural initiative that is guided by the fundamental values of sustainability – climate goals, circularity, zero pollution and biodiversity, aesthetics – design beyond functionality, quality of experience, lifestyle and well-being, and inclusion – valuing diversity, equality for all, accessibility and affordability.

The EIT Community is ideally placed to support the implementation of NEB. It has created the largest innovation ecosystem in Europe, with more than 2,000 partners, including companies, research, education, and cities, cooperating in more than 60 hubs across the European continent.

By collaborating with these innovators and with civil society in general, the NEB programme promotes companies through the creation and growth of startups and contributes to education and citizen participation through the EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and EIT Urban Mobility communities.