The Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) Programme is a cornerstone of FARM360TECH, supporting Europe’s most promising agri-innovation SMEs. Through targeted funding, expert guidance, and access to Large-Scale Demonstrators, the programme accelerates the development of technologies that advance sustainable, data-driven, and resource-efficient agriculture. Up to 41 SMEs will receive financial support and tailored services to test, refine, and scale their solutions. By working directly with farmers, researchers, industry partners, and policymakers, funded SMEs ensure their innovations address real on-farm challenges and strengthen interregional agricultural value chains.
The programme focuses on helping Europe transition toward more resilient and sustainable farming systems and supporting technologies that improve resource efficiency, soil health, crop nutrition, and environmental sustainability, particularly those starting at Technology Readiness Level 6 with potential to reach TRL 9 by the end of the project.
How the FSTP Programme Works.
1. Open Call Phase
SMEs from across Europe are invited to apply with solutions that respond to agronomic needs identified through FARM360TECH’s demonstrators. Proposals are evaluated on whether they present the following elements or not: Innovation and Technical Excellence, Interregional Impact, Market and Business Viability, Environmental, Social, and Policy Impact, Diversity and Inclusion.
2. GROWTH Phase
Selected SMEs receive €43,000 and begin testing their technologies in open test beds with guidance from consortium experts. They produce two key deliverables:
a Technical Feasibility Report, demonstrating testing progress and environmental impact
a Business Development Plan, outlining market strategy and regulatory alignment
The top 21 SMEs advance to the next phase.
3. HARVEST Phase
Finalists receive €17,000 and tailored support to scale their innovations in real operational environments. They take part in pilots, receive tailored technical and business support, and collaborate with quadruple helix stakeholders to integrate into interregional value chains. This phase focuses on achieving product-market fit, strengthening interregional value chains, and demonstrating measurable socioeconomic and environmental benefits. The phase ends with each SME producing a Product-Market Fit Report, including an investment plan, value chain engagement, and sustainability impact.
What the Programme Achieves
By the end of FARM360TECH, the top-performing SMEs will have benefited from:
The FSTP programme ensures that the most promising agricultural innovations reach the market, strengthen interregional value chains, and contribute to a more resilient, sustainable, and competitive European agriculture.
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