Cajamar Innova, the technology-based business accelerator of Cajamar, has launched three new calls for projects related to efficient water management, agricultural production technologies, and new food technologies. Applications can be submitted through the website www.plataformatierra.es/startups, where interested parties can access the requirements and guidelines for each programme, as well as the selection criteria and application process.
The application deadlines for each programme are as follows: until 22 April 2026 for Cajamar Innova Agrotech; until 23 April for Cajamar Innova Water; and until 30 April for Cajamar Innova Foodtech.
This new call includes the sixth edition of Cajamar Innova Water, the third edition of Cajamar Innova Agrotech, and the second edition of Cajamar Innova Foodtech, consolidating a specialised acceleration ecosystem in the agri-food sector and water management.
In total, Cajamar Innova has launched eleven calls since its inception, supporting 95 technology companies, including 13 international startups from eight countries.
Cajamar Innova offers a distinctive model for fostering technological innovation across the entire agri-food value chain, based on comprehensive and tailored support. Participants receive individual guidance adapted to the stage of their project, access to Cajamar’s experimental centres in Almería and Valencia to conduct pilot trials and validation tests, and the opportunity to join Cajamar’s Innovation Ecosystem, which connects startups with companies, technology centres, public institutions, and specialised organisations in the sector.
During the presentation of these new calls, Ricardo García Lorenzo, Director of Agri-food Innovation at Fundación Grupo Cajamar and Director of Cajamar Innova, highlighted the programme’s purpose: “Cajamar Innova offers much more than an acceleration programme. It is an environment that combines specialised support, technological validation, and access to a network of collaborators that drives project development. For those considering applying, it is an opportunity to turn a technological solution into a solid business model with growth potential and international projection.”
The programme is supported by 29 strategic partners that strengthen project development by providing access to industry expertise, validation environments, and collaboration opportunities with key stakeholders across the value chain. In the agri-food sector, partners include entities such as Anecoop, AMC Ideas, Matarromera, Coexphal, Covap, Dcoop, Trops, Unica, Vicasol, Vitartis, and Lainco. In the water and infrastructure sector, contributors include companies such as Acciona Agua, Agbar, Exolum, GS Inima, Ilunion, Ritec, Tedagua, and Facsa. The network is completed by technology, research, and innovation support entities such as CSIC, CNTA, Eatable Adventures, Seidor, CDTI, ENISA, ICEX, and APTE, as well as institutional and entrepreneurship organisations such as the Chambers of Commerce through Fundación INCYDE, the Innovation Cluster of the Community of Madrid, and Andalucía Agrotech EDIH.
Cajamar Innova, a technology-based business accelerator integrated into Fundación Grupo Cajamar, aims to promote entrepreneurial projects with innovative technological solutions applied to the agri-food sector and water management, supporting them from early development stages through validation in real environments and connection with the market.
Its programmes have been designed to address, in a complementary way, the main areas of innovation within the agri-food system, promoting technologies that help tackle key challenges such as sustainability, resource efficiency, and food security.
The initiative began in 2018 with Cajamar Innova Water, aimed at supporting entrepreneurs developing technological solutions to improve the use and management of water resources, providing them with training, advisory services, and practical tools to make their projects viable and competitive.
In 2024, the acceleration offering expanded with Cajamar Innova Agrotech, focused on technologies applied to agricultural and livestock production in areas such as robotics, mechanisation, precision agriculture and livestock farming, agricultural management platforms, biotechnology, and the bioeconomy.
A year later, in 2025, Cajamar Innova Foodtech was launched, targeting initiatives that leverage new technologies to transform food production, including areas such as personalised nutrition, innovative foods, processing innovation, food waste reduction, and food chain safety.
Since its launch, Cajamar Innova has received more than 750 applications from over 30 countries, reflecting growing international interest in its acceleration programmes. More than 20% of the projects submitted originate from outside Spain.
Companies that have participated in the programme have raised more than €25 million in documented private investment, supported by public instruments and specialised funds such as CDTI, the European Investment Fund, Moira Capital, and Swanlaab.
Spanish companies that have secured funding after participating in the programme include Ikos Advanced (€8 million), Cimico (€7 million), Captoplastic (€5 million), GrodiTech (€2.5 million), and Widhoc (€2 million), as well as international startups such as the Dutch company VitalFluid BV.
GrodiTech, a greenhouse robotics company accelerated in the programme, described its experience as follows: “Initiatives like Cajamar Innova are essential for the development of agri-food startups. Beyond access to resources, what truly makes the difference is having specialised mentorship and the support of people who know when and with whom you need to speak to take the next step. That kind of support cannot be improvised, and when it comes at the right moment, it becomes a real accelerator.”
Agriterna, a biotechnology company specialising in crop protection solutions, stated: “Cajamar Innova provides deep technical knowledge of the agri-food sector, a much-appreciated personal approach, and a network of top-level mentors and strategic partners with whom to collaborate from day one. Its value proposition goes far beyond institutional support: it offers an ecosystem of guidance, mentorship, and connections with industry experts that has helped us prepare for our move towards commercialisation.”
Information and applications: https://www.plataformatierra.es/startups
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