A lot has happened since Smarterra (officially Smarterra powered by SMAFINE) was launched in February 2024 in Matera. This EU Horizon project is dedicated to fostering AgriFood innovation systems and entrepreneurial activity in Southern Italy.

RootCamp has kicked off its new batch with six startups. These startups use cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, microscopy, and cloud computing for precise analysis of soil and plant diseases, biochar and microorganisms to improve soil quality, and nanotechnology for decentralized and clean ammonia production. The participating startups come from the UK, Switzerland, Netherlands and Germany, selected from more than 300 applications across more than 70 countries. Over a 12-week program, the startups will benefit from tailored coaching, targeted mentoring, exclusive event formats, and RootCamp’s extensive network.

RootCamp is proud to have partnered once again with EuroTier, EnergyDecentral, and Inhouse Farming 2024, a world-leading trade fair focusing on livestock farming, decentralized energy solutions, and innovative inhouse farming techniques such as precision fermentation and vertical farming. This event, held from November 12th to 15th, 2024, in Hannover, is a key gathering for the industry, setting the stage for innovations that drive the future of sustainable agriculture and energy solutions.

In collaboration with EuroTier, we brought to life the event format called "RapidFire Startup Pitches", featuring intense 120-second presentations from 20 startups representing 9 different countries. These startups were carefully grouped into clusters to maximize the impact of their ideas. The highly engaged audience participated in an interactive live voting session, selecting the most relevant startup. Together with our partner Rentenbank, we awarded the winning startup, Omegga, a €1,000 cash prize! Explore the lineup of these game-changing startups below.

We are very excited to present 15 AgriFoodTech Startups from our recent application phase for our upcoming Batch#6. We can proudly say that we have received 305 applications from 75 countries, underscoring the joint goal to make our food systems more sustainable and transition to a circular bioeconomy.

In April 2024, RootCamp, in partnership with ICEX Spain, launched the Desafía FoodTech Germany program. This six-month program aims to propel Spanish startups in the FoodTech sector by offering unique opportunities for collaboration, networking, and access to resources within the thriving German market.

As part of this initiative, we hosted the Taste of Tomorrow, spotlighting Spanish startups and the latest innovations in food technology. Held in Hannover, this full-day gathering brought together industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration in the FoodTech sector.

Quevana, one of the participants of Desafia FoodTech Germany program, wants to have a positive impact on society and contribute their bit to improve the food system. Through innovation in fermentation and maturation processes they obtain 100% plant-based cheeses that, besides being great, take care of the health of consumers, are efficient in the use of resources to have a sustainable impact and take animals out of the production equation. We talked with Alejandro Álvarez, who together with his family makes sustainable cheese from cashew. 

Sometimes in life, you just have to find the right angle. Inés Herrero, one of the co-founders of Biomixing, certainly did. She and her team developed an innovative system for stirring and aerating that significantly improves the quality of cell cultures in bioreactors. In this interview, we explore how Inés and her team came up with this breakthrough, the challenges they faced, and what this means for the future of biomanufacturing.

With less than a month until the Taste of Tomorrow event, we're thrilled to introduce Gimme Sabor, a Spanish startup that's turning heads in the food industry. Imagine enjoying the rich flavors of meat, fish, and cheese — all from plant-based, allergen-free products that taste even better than the originals. We had the opportunity to speak with Victor Garcia Montero, Co-Founder and CEO of Gimme Sabor, to delve into the company's mission, the unique technology behind their products, and what sets them apart in a rapidly growing market.

Packaging can improve food safety and reduce waste - sounds pretty crazy, right? Absolutely not, if we are talking about intelligent packaging and Oscillum, a standout startup in the Desafía program, dedicated to changing the industry with their innovative technologies.

Their active packaging extends the shelf life of fresh foods by delaying ripening in fruits and vegetables and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. This smart labeling system provides real-time monitoring of food quality and safety, changing color to indicate bacterial growth or loss of freshness. This ensures that consumers have access to the freshest and safest products, while also significantly reducing food waste. We talked with Sofía Riera Vidal to learn more about Oscillum.

Have you ever wondered how the agri-food industry could turn its waste into a valuable resource, and how this could transform the way we feed animals sustainably? Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Bioprocesia, a standout startup in the Desafía program, which is dedicated to fostering innovative solutions in the agri-food sector.

Bioprocesia stands out with its cutting-edge microbial fermentation technology, which transforms by-products of the agri-food sector into high-protein, natural ingredients for animal feed. Their mission is to promote a more circular and sustainable agri-food industry, benefiting animals with special nutritional needs and reducing environmental impact. Guiomar Sánchez, CEO of Bioprocesia answered our questions.