New Frontiers in Food: a European project to boost SME's internationalisation

Funded by the COSME* program (Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), in 2016 Vitagora and its partners launched the New Frontiers in Food initiative to accompany European SMEs with their international development. In 2018, Vitagora and 4 European partner clusters (Food Valley in the Netherlands, Valorial in France, Wagralim in Belgium and Clusaga in Spain) have launched the second phase of New Frontiers in Food, focused on increasing initiatives for international development of European food businesses.

This second program, running from 2018 to 2019, will allow SMEs of the partner clusters to accelerate their international development thanks to a variety of practical actions and international partner searches. Named "New Frontiers in Food - Fast Forward", this new program has the goal of defining a joint strategy for all the partner clusters.

The New Frontiers in Food Fast Forward action plan will be oriented towards three value chains representing strong development potential:

1. The connected food markets
2. The functional foods and health ingredients markets
3. The manufactured food products markets

In parellel, four international zones have been identified by the consortium: Canada, USA, China and Brazil.

A number of new services are being offered to SMEs looking for internationalisation support: development diagnostics, assistance in strategic goal setting, partner searches and targeted business contacts, as well as various support services (legal, regulatory and logistical assistance), international partnering missions, European events, service vouchers etc.

Anne-Céline Renaud, Vitagora's European and international outreach manager explains: "We are looking forward to setting up practical steps to help SMEs reach their international development goals. By joining forces with 4 cluster partners, and by identifying opportunities within high growth markets, we will be offering efficient solutions adapted to the real needs of SMEs, throughout the partner networks."

Actions already programmed:  

• Partnering mission to Canada - BenefiQ tradeshow in September and October 2018.
• Partnering mission to Brazil: December 2018.

To find out more about opportunities for partnering with the New Frontiers in Food networks, contact Anne-Céline Renaud: anne-celine.renaud@vitagora.com

* COSME, the programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), funds many initiatives that help small businesses access new markets. Find out more here: http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/cosme/index_fr.htm