Hemp is hip — almost nobody in Germany has escaped the recent discussions about cannabis legalization. But did you know that hemp has much more to offer and even holds considerable potential as a climate-friendly alternative to other crops? Scientists, politicians, and  the industry have renewed interest in Cannabis Sativa, one of the oldest cultivated plants in human history.

Imagine a world where your favorite steak or bacon is created not in a farm but through a printer, crafted with precision from plant-based ingredients or even the trims of real meat. This is not science fiction — this is Cocuus. Cocuus was founded on two main inspirations: a profound concern for science and a desire to satisfy creative needs. The founders, self-confessed science fiction enthusiasts and tech geeks, envisioned a future where food could be created in ways never before imagined. They drew inspiration from iconic sci-fi elements, such as the transporter machines from Star Trek, to conceptualize food production as a process of turning physical ingredients into data and back into food. The FoodTech startup transforms food production with industrial solutions for alt-protein analogues using 2D/3D laser printing, bioprinting, and robotics. Their patented MEATMETHICA technology is a new era of protein innovation, enabling the large-scale production of plant-based meats and seafood that match animal products in taste and nutrition. 

The Desafía FoodTech Germany program is an initiative facilitated by ICEX Spain and RootCamp, spanning six months from April to October 2024. On June 24th we will host our Virtual Mentors day, and in the meantime we want to tell more about participants of this program. Libre Foods transforms the food system to be more sustainable for the future by creating innovative products made from fungi. Using fungi fermentation technology, they are developing a range of fungi-based ingredients that satisfy consumers' needs for taste, nutrition, and affordability.

Imagine a world where everything we use gets a second life. This is the vision behind the circular economy as “a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible”. 

The Desafía FoodTech Germany is almost half-way there, and we're happy to introduce our first startup of the program. NUCAPS is revolutionizing industries with its technology, developed in collaboration with professionals in the field. Since its establishment, NUCAPS has been dedicated to providing innovative solutions for human health challenges in Food Nutrition, Nutraceuticals, Feed, Pharma & Cosmetics. Their latest innovation showcases the world’s first platform for functional ingredients, utilizing protein-based microencapsulation for bioactives and probiotics. NUCAPS' technology offers up to 30 times increased absorption compared to traditional methods, seamlessly integrating functionality into food matrices with a clean-label and a sustainable approach. We talked with Mariano Oto, CEO of NUCAPS to learn more about this promising startup.

After an exciting three-month program and intensive preparation, the eagerly anticipated moment finally arrived. We welcomed attendees to the 5th Demo Day held at our headquarters in Hannover. This year's event for RootCamp Batch #5 brought together a multitude of stakeholders from our valued partnership network, uniting a diverse audience ranging from local startups and academic representatives to corporate collaborators. In the vibrant atmosphere of the event, the spotlight was focused on the values of innovation, collaboration, and the exciting potential for cross-industry synergy.

The Desafía FoodTech Germany program is an initiative facilitated by ICEX Spain and RootCamp, spanning six months from April to October 2024. This collaborative effort aims to catalyze the growth and success of Spanish startups in the FoodTech sector by providing unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, networking, and resource access within the competitive German market. We´re thrilled to announce 10 promising startups which were selected to participate in the Desafia program.

Women are underrepresented in the AgTech industry, as is the case in many other technology-related fields. However, the number of female founders in AgTech and AgriFood is growing. Despite the challenging fundraising landscape, female founders and emerging fund managers in Europe have demonstrated resilience. The recently published "The State of Gender Diversity in European Venture report 2024" by Female Foundry, highlights this resilience. According to the study, in 2023, European startups co-founded by women secured a total of €5.9 billion in funding. After the peak years of 2021 and 2022, this amount marks 2023 as the third-highest year on record in terms of funding raised. PitchBook's European VC Female Founders Dashboard reveals mixed companies currently claim the largest share of capital at 19.2%, reaching its highest level in over a decade.

Introducing the latest cohort at the Innovation Hub RootCamp: a group of seven dynamic international AgTech startups. RootCamp provides invaluable support, including expert guidance, personalized coaching, and an extensive network inclusive of global AgTech companies such as K+S and KWS, as well as access to investors and mentors. Our program is cost- and equity-free for startups, offering them grants. Meet our new batch, carefully selected after a rigorous selection process from over 300+ applications. ⬇️

In the fast-paced world of startups, where groundbreaking innovations are sprouting like never before, getting your company's name out there is more critical than ever. While having an exceptional product is undoubtedly essential, the true path to success lies in capturing the attention of the right audience. That's where the power of PR and media features comes into play. As a founder, gaining exposure for your startup is crucial for success. Getting featured in prominent media outlets not only helps you build credibility but also attracts potential investors, partners, and customers. In this article, we will introduce you to 10 must-know (Agtech) startup publications that can provide the perfect platform for showcasing your startup. Let's dive in!