Oscillum is a biotechnology company focused on smart labeling that delivers real-time information about food safety. In 2017, its three founders, who study at Elche Miguel Hernández University, uncovered a sobering fact: many people waste more than 173 kilograms of food each year, and home contamination is a leading cause of foodborne illness. This realization fueled the creation of Oscillum in 2019, a venture where color-changing labels reveal contamination or spoilage when applied to products. The goal is to enhance food safety and promote sustainability across the agri-food sector.
Since its inception, Oscillum has experienced notable growth, particularly after participating in the EIT FAN accelerator. This program, part of EIT Food, helps entrepreneurs validate their technology, accelerate business development, and connect with potential markets. The accelerator ecosystem has become a catalyst for turning scientific ideas into tangible market offerings.
In a broader context, EIT Food supported a total of 464 startups in a recent year, helping them secure investments worth 407 million euros and bringing 15 new products and services to market. Such momentum reflects the expanding landscape for innovative food-tech ventures across Europe and beyond, including initiatives that nurture early-stage projects and scale them toward commercial success. [Citation: EIT Food program outcomes and startup support]
Registration for the 2023 edition remains open for both the Seedbed incubator and the EIT FAN accelerator, inviting cutting-edge projects to participate. Applications were accepted through March 26, with the program aiming to identify ventures that can advance food safety, traceability, and sustainability across the supply chain. [Citation: EIT Food program eligibility and timelines]
Reflecting on the prior year, more than 350 applications were received from across Europe. Beyond the Oscillum case, other notable participants include Isauki Foods (headquartered in Bilbao), Novameat (Barcelona), Nucaps (Navarra), Kyanos (France), and Free Foods (Barcelona), all engaged in EIT Food programs. These examples illustrate the diverse range of technologies—ranging from alternative proteins to smart labeling—that are being fostered under the same accelerator framework. [Citation: EIT Food participant lineup and regional distribution]