Innovation & Entrepreneurship in the Agro and Food Sector

Innovation & Entrepreneurship in the Agro and Food Sector

The agri-food sector is changing fast. In this international programme, you explore how entrepreneurship and innovation can contribute to a future-proof food system. Work with students, lecturers and entrepreneurs from across Europe on real-life business challenges and turn ideas into practical solutions.
Duration
3 weeks
Education type
Blended Intensive Programme
Field of interest
Food
Introduction

Turn challenges into business opportunities

What if today's challenges become tomorrow's opportunities?

Climate change, biodiversity, rural vitality and economic resilience are transforming the agro and food sector. Farmers and entrepreneurs need new ideas and business models to adapt.

During this international programme, you explore how entrepreneurship can contribute to a future-proof food system. You work on real business challenges, exchange ideas with international students and professionals and discover new ways to create value in the agri-food sector.

From new products and services to nature management, recreation and short supply chains: you learn to look at change through an entrepreneurial lens.

The source explicitly connects current challenges in the sector with opportunities for entrepreneurship, multifunctional agriculture and new business models.

Is this programme for you?

The programme is aimed at bachelor students in agriculture, horticulture, agri-business, food, entrepreneurship or related fields who are interested in innovation and comfortable working in international teams.

  • You see opportunities for innovation

    You are curious about how new products, services and business models can help the agro and food sector move forward. You enjoy exploring an idea and finding out whether it can actually work.

  • You want to work across disciplines

    You prefer putting theory into practice. During this programme, you bring in a real case from an entrepreneur in your home region and use what you learn to develop new ideas and solutions.

  • You want an international perspective

    You enjoy working with students from different countries and backgrounds. You want to discover how entrepreneurship and innovation are approached elsewhere and use those perspectives to strengthen your own ideas.

What will you learn?

During the BIP, you develop practical entrepreneurial skills while working on a real-life innovation challenge.

  • Develop innovative business ideas
    Explore opportunities for new products, services and side businesses and learn how innovation can create value within the agro and food sector.
  • Build stronger business models
    Learn how to translate an entrepreneurial idea into a business concept by working with business models, value creation and entrepreneurial tools.
  • Work on real-life cases
    Bring in a case from an entrepreneur in your own region and work with international students, lecturers and entrepreneurs to develop possible solutions.
  • Learn from entrepreneurs
    Meet innovative agri-food businesses and Aeres alumni during field visits and discover how entrepreneurs put innovation into practice.
  • Collaborate internationally
    Work in intercultural teams, exchange perspectives and experience how different backgrounds can lead to different approaches and solutions.
  • Pitch your ideas
    Turn your findings into a business concept and present your ideas during the final pitches.

Quick facts

  • Programme: Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme
  • Locatie: Aeres University of Applied Sciences, Dronten
  • Format: Blended learning
  • Duration: 3 weeks
  • On-site: 5–9 April 2027
  • Credits: 3 ECTS
  • Language: English
  • Online preparation: March 2027
  • Programme fee: Free of charge
Programme content

How does the programme work?

The programme combines online preparation with an intensive on-site week in Dronten and is worth a total of 3 ECTS.

Costs

Costs and Erasmus+ funding

Programme fee

Participation in the programme itself is free of charge.

Erasmus+ funding

Participants are eligible for Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme funding through their home institution.

Accommodation and meals

A mandatory contribution of approximately €400 is required for the on-site week in Dronten. This includes organised accommodation, transportation between the accommodation and campus, and lunches and dinners arranged by Aeres University of Applied Sciences.

Can you participate?

This programme is suitable for you if:

  • you are a bachelor student in agriculture, horticulture, agri-business, food, entrepreneurship or a related field;
  • you can bring in a case from an entrepreneur in your home region who wants to develop a new product, service or side business;
  • you have an English level of B2 or higher, proven by an OLS certificate;
  • you are interested in innovation and entrepreneurship in the agro and food sector;
  • you enjoy working in international and intercultural teams;
  • you are motivated to work on real-life entrepreneurial challenges.

If there are more applications than available places, Aeres University of Applied Sciences may use a selection procedure for international students.

how to apply

How to apply

Interested in joining the programme? For more information or to apply, contact one of the programme coordinators.

Contact

Questions about the programme

Eric van Dijken
Department of Business Management
e.van.dijken@aeres.nl

Cynthia Akkermans
Department International Studies and Consultancy
c.akkermans@aeres.nl

Questions about Erasmus+ ?

Contact your home Erasmus coordinator or the International Office of Aeres University of Applied Sciences: international.uas@aeres.nl

Practical matters

Frequently asked questions

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