Responding to today’s agri-food challenges with tomorrow’s solutions is the goal pursued by the open innovation program AgroBank Tech Digital INNovation. The initiative promotes new technology-based companies that are driving the digital transformation of the countryside and the agri-food sector. AgroBank Tech Digital INNovation is a program of AgroBank, CaixaBank’s agribusiness division, in collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA).
Within the framework of AgroBank Tech Digital Innovation, AgroBank and MAPA have selected 15 winning startups, which will begin an acceleration program and receive specialized executive training delivered by EAE Business School. The aim is to accelerate agri-food digitalization and strengthen safety and sustainability across the entire value chain.
The fourth edition of this call attracted a total of 196 startups, whose agri-tech projects focused on greater optimization of natural and energy resources, addressing key strategic challenges defined by the program: transformative technologies, smart water management, circular economy and biotechnology, innovation in packaging, storage and logistics, and data platforms and smart traceability systems. From all applicants, 15 startups were selected, coming from Cuenca, Almería, Granada, Navarra, Valencia, Lleida, A Coruña, Seville, Barcelona (2), Zaragoza, Murcia, Madrid, Lugo, and Biscay.
Among the selected startups developing agri-food digitalization solutions are projects related to livestock temperature monitoring devices (Big Guardian), robotics with computer vision and drones (Grodi), precision irrigation systems (Hidroinfiltradores), AI-powered applications (Sowify Global Solutions), agricultural biosolutions (Veganic), autonomous tractors and robots (Agrinpulse), certified biostimulants (Orixe Salgada), AI-generated farm logs (Makensia), fungicide robots (Agrikola), livestock automation through sensors (Augan), animal feed protein production from black soldier fly larvae (Insectius), agricultural pest control using light radiation technology (Agrocaptur), harvesting robotics (MiFood Robot), milk tank monitoring systems (Perfect Numbers), and digital livestock management solutions (Pappstor Agrotech).
Big Guardian: Continuous, non-invasive livestock health monitoring through thermal sensors and artificial intelligence models.
Grodi: Autonomous robot designed for comprehensive crop monitoring in greenhouses using computer vision and artificial intelligence.
Hidroinfiltradores: Irrigation system that optimizes water usage by delivering water and nutrients directly into the root zone of crops.
Sowify Global Solutions: Agri-tech platform combining satellite data, sensors, and artificial intelligence to help farmers optimize crop management.
Veganic: Vegan biosolutions for crop nutrition and protection based on plant extracts, microorganisms, and biostimulation technologies.
Agrinpulse: Electric autonomous agricultural robot-tractor designed to perform tasks such as mechanical weed control and soil maintenance in woody crops.
Orixe Salgada: Biorefinery specializing in the valorization of stranded seaweed, transforming it into high-value compounds through biotechnological processes.
Makensia: AI-based intelligent phone assistant enabling farmers to record and manage farm activities without complex digital tools.
Agrikola: Chemical-free crop protection using autonomous robotics and artificial intelligence, aiming to replace traditional pesticide use.
Augan: IoT solutions for livestock farms enabling monitoring of key variables even in environments without electricity or internet connection.
Insectius: Conversion of organic by-products into high-value raw materials through industrial black soldier fly larvae farming, producing protein, oils, and fertilizers.
Agrocaptur: Pest control system using LED devices with specific light wavelengths to selectively attract insects.
MiFood Robot: Robotics and artificial intelligence for automating fruit and vegetable harvesting, reducing labor dependency and increasing efficiency and sustainability.
Perfect Numbers: Water management and optimization platform for the agri-food sector integrating real-time data from IoT devices.
Pappstor Agrotech: Autonomous grazing system based on artificial intelligence, IoT, and advanced analytics to optimize extensive livestock management.
The selected startups will now participate in an acceleration program designed to support the validation and scaling of their solutions, including access to proof-of-concept development and real-environment pilot projects; specialized mentoring in business, technology, and regulation; training and strategic support; visibility at national and international sector events; and connections with corporations, investors, and key ecosystem stakeholders.
Through AgroBank Tech Digital INNovation, AgroBank reaffirms its commitment to fostering innovation and technological entrepreneurship as key drivers to strengthen the competitiveness of the agri-food sector. With this initiative, AgroBank continues to support the development of solutions that contribute to a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient agriculture, fostering collaboration between startups, companies, institutions, and the broader AgriTech ecosystem.
AgroBank, CaixaBank’s agribusiness division, is the leading financial institution in Spain’s agri-food sector in terms of branch presence and market share. It serves 500,000 customers, meaning that more than one in every two farmers and livestock producers in Spain is an AgroBank client. Its value proposition represents a commitment to rural areas from financial, social, and innovation perspectives, structured around three pillars.
On the financial side, AgroBank’s commitment to the agri-food sector resulted in more than €41.677 billion in financing provided to the entire agri-food value chain in 2025. The division has specialized managers in 1,140 branches across Spain, with presence in all provinces, particularly in rural municipalities.
On the social side, in line with its commitment to rural areas, AgroBank is deeply involved in addressing some of the main challenges faced by the sector.
To support this value offering, the entity has launched AgroBank HUB, a platform designed to boost innovation in the agri-food sector. It connects professionals in an open and accessible way, aiming to contribute to the transformation of Spanish agriculture by promoting innovation, sustainability, and stronger communication among sector stakeholders. It also includes an Agro Store with products tailored for the agri-food sector
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