ICI AGRIFOOD

What ICI AGRIFOOD does

ICI Agrifood is a non-profit community organization founded in 2017 and operated under ISARA-Lyon, an agrifood engineering school headquartered at 23 Rue Jean Baldassini in Lyon, France. It convenes impact-driven agrifoodtech startups, large food and agriculture corporates, investors, accelerators, and research institutions across the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, with a stated mission of facilitating qualified exchanges between startups and stakeholders across the agricultural and food value chain. Its core offering is a startup membership program (priced publicly at €50–€200 HT per year) and a parallel enterprise partner program whose fees are not publicly disclosed. The organization does not develop proprietary technology; its digital footprint consists of a WordPress website (iciagrifood.com), a LinkedIn page (4,500+ followers at 7% engagement), an email newsletter (700+ readers), and a WhatsApp group for members.

The organization's principal products are community-format events and programs rather than software. These include the annual B2Biz For Startups matchmaking forum (e.g., 80 participants, 23 startups, 150+ business meetings in the 2026 edition), the annual Apéro networking evening (reaching 100+ participants and 37 startups at the 2026 10th-anniversary edition), the Trophées ICI AGRIFOOD awards competition (now in its second edition, presented at the SIRHA food trade show), the Startup Totem leadership program (three-year term), and themed Rencontres Ciblées workshops on topics such as ecodesign. Quantified outcomes include a community of 150+ startups at various maturity stages and a partner roster including Bonduelle, Valrhona, Groupe SEB, Ecotone, Ninkasi, Materne, and Lorge, alongside ecosystem organizations such as Angelor, Crédit Agricole Création, Le Zesteur, CTCPA, Mérieux NutriSciences, and the Métropole de Lyon as principal public financier.

The business model is community-led, with revenue generated through annual startup membership subscriptions and enterprise partner contributions, supplemented by public-sector financial support from the Métropole de Lyon. The organization is led by Dominique Pelhate as Déléguée Générale and operates with a small team embedded in ISARA-Lyon (no standalone employee count disclosed). Distribution is via direct outreach, ecosystem referrals, and event-driven word-of-mouth; geo-scoping is primarily regional (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) with national visibility through participation at SIRHA.

Name

ICI AGRIFOOD

Legal name

ICI AGRIFOOD

Website

https://iciagrifood.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ICI Agrifood is a Lyon-based, ISARA-operated non-profit community that convenes 150+ agrifoodtech startups with corporate partners, investors, and accelerators in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes through annual events, a membership program, and the Trophées awards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agrifood innovation community services

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Systems & Value Chain Development for Nutrition (BPADAJAG), Agriculture, Farming & AgriTech Shows Organizers (THAHABAM), Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM)

Keywords

• Agrifood innovation community
• Startup networking events
• Open innovation partnerships
• Food industry matchmaking
• Agritech startup support

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Startup Membership Fees: Startups pay an annual membership fee to join the ICI Agrifood community. Fees range from €50 HT (early-bird/limited income) to €100 HT (standard) to €200 HT (support tier). Membership grants access to the network, the WhatsApp group, visibility on the website and LinkedIn page, and five included events per year.
2. Partner/Enterprise Membership Fees: Enterprise partners (large food and agriculture companies such as Bonduelle, Valrhona, SEB, Ecotone, Ninkasi, Materne) join ICI Agrifood for open innovation benefits, access to startup scouting, and branding/marketing exposure through the community. Partner companies benefit from presence on the partner page, two LinkedIn posts per year (4,500+ followers, 7% engagement rate), one newsletter article per year (700+ readers), and five included event spots per year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ICI Agrifood operates a paid agrifood innovation community connecting impact-driven agrifood startups with established food and agriculture corporations, investors, and ecosystem partners in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It sells annual startup memberships and enterprise partner memberships, and produces a calendar of structured events (B2Biz For Startups business matchmaking forum, annual Apéro networking evening, Trophées ICI AGRIFOOD awards, Targeted Encounters workshops, and the Startup Totem leadership program).

Product overview

ICI AGRIFOOD is a community organization facilitating connections between impact-driven agrifoodtech startups and established food industry actors in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Rather than a unified software product, the organization's offering consists of a startup membership program providing access to networking events (B2Biz For Startups, Annual Apéro, Targeted Encounters), the annual Trophées competition recognizing impact innovations, and the Totem Program for community leadership. The organization connects over 150 startups at various maturity stages with enterprise partners, investors, and institutional stakeholders through structured matchmaking events and ongoing community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Startup Membership Program Annual membership program enabling innovative impact-driven agrifood startups to join the ICI AGRIFOOD community. Pricing is €50 HT (early-bird), €100 HT (standard), or €200 HT (support tier) per year, with membership including access to five events per year, the member WhatsApp group, website and LinkedIn visibility, and the 'Startup ICI AGRIFOOD' macaron badge.
• Enterprise Partner Membership Annual enterprise partner membership providing large food and agriculture corporations (Bonduelle, Valrhona, SEB, Ecotone, Ninkasi, Materne, etc.) with open-innovation access to 150+ startups, two LinkedIn posts per year (4,500+ followers, 7% engagement), one newsletter article per year (700+ readers), and five included event spots per year.
• B2Biz For Startups Annual business matchmaking event connecting impact-driven agrifood startups with enterprises, experts, investors, and institutional actors through scheduled one-to-one meetings, conferences, and networking activities. The 2026 edition brought together 80 participants, 23 startups, and 150+ scheduled business meetings.
• Annual Apéro ICI AGRIFOOD Annual networking evening event bringing together the full agrifood ecosystem for startup pitches, product demonstrations, and informal business connections. The 2025 edition attracted ~100 participants with 32 startups and 23 pitches; the 2026 (10th anniversary) edition attracted ~100 participants with 37 startups and 27 pitches.
• Trophées ICI AGRIFOOD Annual awards competition recognizing outstanding impact-driven agrifood startups in categories including Preserving Human Health, Climate and Resource Preservation, and Circularity Reinforcement. Awards include the Grand Lauréat and Jury's 'Coup de cœur' distinctions, with prizes such as technical assessments from CTCPA and digital tools from Mérieux NutriSciences.
• Startup Totem Program Three-year community leadership program in which selected startups (referred to as 'totem' startups) represent and advocate for the startup community, contributing to ICI AgrIFOOD's strategic direction and roadmap.
• Rencontres Ciblées (Targeted Encounters) Thematic workshops and seminars on innovation topics such as ecodesign, financing transition, and crisis management, offered as part of the annual membership benefits for startups and enterprise partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 150 startups at various stages of maturity are referenced and engaged within the community
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and standard.

• ISARAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISARA is the agrifood engineering school that founded and operates ICI Agrifood. It hosts the website (development and hosting credited to ISARA-Lyon) and provides academic credibility, research connections, and access to student and alumni talent. Jérôme Zlatoff is listed as the Director of Publication on the legal notice. Dominique Pelhate serves as Déléguée Générale.
• BonduellemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBonduelle is an enterprise partner of ICI Agrifood. The company aims to inspire the transition to plant-based eating, contributing to human well-being and planetary preservation. Bonduelle actively participates in open innovation activities and ecosystem events.
• ValrhonamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerValrhona is a B Corp-certified chocolate brand committed to sustainable development, creating a fair and sustainable cocoa supply chain and responsible gastronomy. It engages with the ICI Agrifood ecosystem for open innovation.
• EcotonemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcotone is the European leader in organic, plant-based, and fair-trade food (brands include Bjorg, Bonneterre, Clipper, Alter Eco). Its mission is to 'nourish biodiversity.' It participates in ICI Agrifood's open innovation ecosystem.
• NinkasimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNinkasi is a craft brewery (since 1997) with responsible dining and events operations. It is committed to achieving Planet Score A across its product range and participates in ICI Agrifood as an open innovation partner, hosting visits and sharing sustainability experiences with the community.
• Groupe SEBmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroupe SEB is the world leader in small domestic appliances, with innovation and entrepreneurship at the core of its mission to offer practical and durable solutions. It engages with the ICI Agrifood ecosystem as an enterprise partner.
• Materne (by Bel)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaterne (a Bel Group brand) provides healthy snacking products made responsibly and sustainably, targeting broad consumer populations with natural, tasty food. It participates in open innovation with ICI Agrifood member startups.
• Lorge ImprimeursstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerLorge is a family-owned Lyon printer that designs and manufactures adhesive labels for the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries, with a focus on circular solutions such as washable labels supporting container reuse.
• Le ZesteurcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLe Zesteur is an accelerator co-founded by emlyon business school, ISARA Lyon, and Village by CA Centre-Est, dedicated to agricultural and food system transition. It runs the GROW-UP acceleration program (6 months, 2h/month mentoring, bootcamps, coaching). ICI Agrifood refers startups to Le Zesteur and the two organizations cross-reinforce each other's ecosystems.
• Foodshaker (ISARA)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFoodshaker is the ISARA startup incubator, open to any project holder and supporting innovative foodtech startup projects from idea through commercial launch. ICI Agrifood serves as a referral pipeline for Foodshaker and shares the ISARA institutional connection.
• Les Premières AURAmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLes Premières AURA is an incubator supporting women and mixed teams in creating and developing innovative businesses with strong social impact. It has been a partner of ICI Agrifood since its founding in 2017. The incubator accompanies 80+ projects per year and hosts startups including Reus'eat.
• Village by CA Centre-eststandardImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVillage by CA Centre-est is an innovation and business accelerator supporting startups and companies in the territory, fostering innovation and value creation. Co-founder of Le Zesteur alongside ISARA and emlyon.
• IRIIG / L'InnoveriestandardImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIRIIG is Europe's first school 100% dedicated to innovation management, operating as an incubator (L'Innoverie), accelerator, and executive education institution. Since January 2023, all incubation, acceleration, and entrepreneurial support activities are unified under 'L'Innoverie,' which hosts approximately 70 startups per year.
• VEGEPOLYS VALLEYmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVEGEPOLYS VALLEY is a competitiveness cluster bringing together 600+ members — companies, research centers, and training institutions — across the entire plant value chain. It supports members on innovation projects and identifies financing. It co-organizes events with ICI Agrifood such as the Ecoconception morning (2026).
• Cluster Bio Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Cluster Bio AURA, initiated by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in 2006 and animated by businesses and experts, promotes the regional organic sector. It partners with ICI Agrifood on events and open innovation activities.
• Innov'AlliancestandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnov'Alliance is the competitiveness cluster for Naturalité, accompanying the ecological and technological transition of agri/agro (plant), cosmetics, aromas/perfumes, and food supplement sectors. It participates in B2Biz events and collaborates with ICI Agrifood on ecosystem activities.
• CTCPAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTCPA (Centre Technique Agroalimentaire) is an industrial technical center providing R&D and services to food companies. With 75 years of expertise, 100 collaborators across 9 sites, and 1,500+ projects per year, CTCPA co-organizes events with ICI Agrifood and offered a €3,000 technical assessment package to Minimiil (Trophées 2025 winner). Partner for over 6 years.
• Novalim / ALIMENTECmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNovalim, a service of the Technopole ALIMENTEC since 2003, supports food industry companies and creators nationally. It provides product formulation, process optimization, nutrition, hygiene, and regulatory expertise. It co-organizes the Ecoconception morning with ICI Agrifood and its partners.
• Mérieux NutriSciencesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMérieux NutriSciences is an international group offering food safety, quality, and sustainability solutions across the food chain. Present in 32 countries with 50+ years of history. It joined the ICI Agrifood board in 2024 and offers digital tools (CIVAA, Safety HUD) as a prize to Trophées winners. Participates in the Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat (CEC).
• ARIA AURAstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerARIA AURA represents the food industries of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, defends their collective interests, and federates a professional network around structural sector challenges.
• LCA ARA (La Coopération Agricole)standardStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCA ARA is the voice of agricultural cooperation in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, representing nearly 450 companies (cooperatives, unions, and subsidiaries). It participates in ecosystem events and open innovation activities.
• French Tech Saint-Étienne LyonstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Tech Saint-Étienne Lyon fosters the creation, growth, and internationalization of innovative companies in Lyon and Saint-Étienne. The association federates and animates the innovation ecosystem with all actors that support innovation.
• emlyon venture labsstandardImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partneremlyon venture labs offers sector-specific acceleration programs for startups and tomorrow's companies. The Zesteur (Agritech/Foodtech track) is co-founded by emlyon business school, ISARA Lyon, and Village by CA Centre-Est.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• VEGEPOLYS VALLEY: Competitiveness cluster covering the full plant value chain (600+ members) and co-organizes events with ICI Agrifood such as the Ecoconception morning. Highly comparable as a French plant/agrifood innovation cluster with similar membership, event, and partner-driven model.
• Terralia: Competitiveness cluster covering plant-based sectors (agriculture, food, cosmetics, nutrition) in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Comparable as a regional French cluster focused on agrifood innovation, sustainability, and corporate-startup connections.
• Vitagora: Food/agrifood competitiveness cluster based in Burgundy-Franche-Comté focused on taste, nutrition, and food tech. Directly comparable as a French regional cluster running open-innovation programs, tastings, and corporate-startup matchmaking in the agrifood vertical.
• Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation: Agrifood competitiveness cluster in the South-West of France covering plant, animal, and agroecology. Directly comparable as a French regional cluster with the same corporate-startup-institutional tripartite model.
• Valorial: Agrifood competitiveness cluster covering Brittany and Pays de la Loire, focused on agricultural and food innovation from farm to fork. Closely comparable in mission (agrifood innovation, corporate-startup connections) and structure (French pôle de compétitivité).
• Innov'Alliance: French competitiveness cluster dedicated to Naturalité (plant, cosmetics, food supplements, aromas). Closely comparable to ICI Agrifood as a French regional cluster organizing open-innovation events for agrifood and adjacent verticals; both are part of the same regional Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes ecosystem.

Regional players

• AgriFood Capital: Dutch agrifood cluster based in 's-Hertogenbosch focused on healthy and sustainable food. Comparable as a regional agrifood innovation community with similar corporate-startup networking and open-innovation activities, but based in the Netherlands.
• Food Valley NL: Major Dutch agrifood innovation cluster anchored in Wageningen. Comparable as an internationally recognized agrifood innovation community connecting startups, corporates, and researchers, but operating primarily in the Netherlands rather than France.

Emerging players

• EuraTechnologies: Large tech and innovation hub in Lille focused on multiple verticals. Comparable as a regional innovation community supporting startups and corporate engagement, but with a broader (non-agrifood) vertical focus.

Others

• Foodtech Innovation Network (BPI France / French Tech): National French Tech / BPI France agrifood innovation programming providing visibility, funding, and partner connections to French foodtech startups. Comparable in function (visibility, ecosystem building) but operates at national level rather than regional.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iciagrifood

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICI AGRIFOOD