At Hifas, we firmly believe that biotechnology plays a decisive role in transforming agri-food systems toward more sustainable, resilient, and circular models. In line with this vision, we are proud to announce our participation in the European project BIOTECH4FOOD (B4F), an ambitious initiative that places Galicia at the heart of the European bioeconomy.
This project, funded by the European Union through the I3 – Interregional Innovation Investments instrument under the ERDF program, aims to promote interregional innovation and facilitate the scaling of biotechnological solutions in the agri-food sector. BIOTECH4FOOD was launched in November 2023 and will run for 36 months, fostering collaboration between innovation clusters, technology centers, regional authorities, and SMEs across Europe.
BIOTECH4FOOD
The project focuses on industrial biotechnology as a driving force for change in the agri-food industry. Technologies such as fermentation, enzymes, and microbial proteins are at the core of the solutions to be scaled through this program. With a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 or higher, these innovations are ready to enter the market and create tangible economic and environmental impacts.
For us, being part of this consortium is a unique opportunity to strengthen our commitment to responsible innovation and to a healthier and more environmentally friendly food system. We are not alone on this path: we share synergies with leading organizations such as the Galician Innovation Agency (GAIN), the biotechnology cluster BIOGA, and ANFACO-CECOPESCA, as well as with 14 other innovative SMEs from various European countries. Together, we form a diverse, specialized, and complementary network working toward a real transition to a circular economy in the agri-food sector.
GALICIA AS A DRIVING FORCE
Galicia holds a prominent position in this ecosystem thanks to its strong institutional commitment to innovation and its dynamic business fabric in the biotechnology sector. BIOTECH4FOOD acknowledges and enhances this regional strength through direct support mechanisms for participating SMEs. The project offers a combination of financial and non-financial resources, including acceleration programs, specialized training, strategic advisory services, and matchmaking among key players from different European regions. Moreover, a dynamic investment portfolio has been set up to ensure that the most promising solutions receive the necessary support to scale and consolidate.
At Hifas, we bring our experience in biotechnology applied to food, an area we have been working in for years with an approach that combines science, sustainability, and health. Participating in BIOTECH4FOOD allows us to advance our mission while actively contributing to a shared European agenda that promotes cleaner, more efficient food production focused on the well-being of people and the planet.
Through this collaboration, we reaffirm our role within the Galician and European biotech ecosystem and open new pathways for developing transformative projects that connect knowledge, innovation, and territory.
