[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":1026},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fwJ2afLNdy2het_4My7NcPp_TtnbAtf_9nHI9sbjE8bU":3},{"success":4,"caseStudy":5,"relatedCaseStudies":934},true,{"_id":6,"title":7,"slug":8,"excerpt":9,"contentText":10,"richContent":11,"featuredMedia":923,"firstPublishedDate":926,"lastPublishedDate":926,"hashtags":927,"url":928,"language":929,"memberId":930,"pinned":699,"featured":699,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":931,"categoryIds":932,"relatedPostIds":933},"39354668-e67b-4c6b-a3e1-a486fe8d41f4","TRACEGROUND: Making Food Traceable from Field to Table","agriventures-co-updates-traceground-agriventures-food-traceability","Transparency about origin is no longer just a nice to have for Bulgarian producers, it is a standard that customers now expect. TRACEGROUND, a technology startup and active member of the AgriVentures cluster, is the company behind the solution that made this possible at the largest retail chain in the country. With a single QR code on the label, shoppers buying fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs from Kaufland's own brand \"Bray!\" can now trace the entire path of the product from the farm to...","Transparency about origin is no longer just a nice to have for Bulgarian producers, it is a standard that customers now expect. TRACEGROUND, a technology startup and active member of the AgriVentures cluster, is the company behind the solution that made this possible at the largest retail chain in the country. With a single QR code on the label, shoppers buying fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs from Kaufland's own brand \"Bray!\" can now trace the entire path of the product from the farm to the shelf. This makes Kaufland Bulgaria the first retail chain in the country to introduce \"field to shelf\" traceability as a category standard. The TRACEGROUND story is a strong example of what AgriVentures members can achieve when agricultural innovation meets a real market problem. Below is the full story of the company, the team behind it, and its growth plans, told by the founders themselves. The Team Behind TRACEGROUND The idea was born in 2018, from a team of entrepreneurs and experts with experience in agriculture, technology, and business development. Viktor Asenov is an agricultural producer, entrepreneur, and the company's CEO. His mission is the digitalization of agriculture in Bulgaria and the traceability of food origin. Petar Blagov is the company's technology lead. He specializes in developing blockchain solutions for tracking and data protection, including infrastructure, digital identities, and mobile applications. Maria Georgieva is a business development expert, serial entrepreneur, and consultant with experience integrating innovative digital solutions and scaling businesses in a digital environment. Marketing and communications strategy at TRACEGROUND is led by Zlatina Kozhuharova Yosifova, a specialist with over 20 years of experience in PR and media communications. Teodosiy Dimitrov, a co-founder of the company, is a consultant on European funding and an expert in agrarian marketing, contributing a multidisciplinary approach that combines scientific expertise, strategic planning, and market knowledge. How the Idea Was Born Viktor Asenov, CEO of TRACEGROUND: \"The idea was born on my family farm. I am an agricultural producer, and we had a specific situation. Another producer was improperly selling their produce at a large retail chain while presenting it as mine. We found out by accident, from neighbors who mentioned they had seen crates with my name on them at the retail chain. That is when we realized there was a serious problem, because there was no system to track the origin of food, and that meant there was no way to guarantee the quality of the product for the end consumer. We decided that we had to be the ones to build a traceability system, in order to help Bulgarian producers and consumers. While working on the system, we recognized the need for digital solutions that would optimize processes, reduce costs, and improve product quality on the farm. We realized that everything needed to run through a single system, without requiring multiple software products, since that leads to a labor intensive, slow, and resource heavy solution. That is why we built an intuitive, unified product where everything lives in one place. It is precisely this end to end solution that makes it possible to track the entire process from planting to the table, which can guarantee origin and quality for the end consumer. That is why we at TRACEGROUND committed to building a product that would not only be useful for the producer but would also give the end consumer peace of mind. At the moment, there are no systems like this in Bulgaria, and no one can really say what we are eating or how it affects our health. We hope TRACEGROUND will change that, and that every Bulgarian household will have quality, healthy food with a clear origin on the table.\" How and When the Partnership with Kaufland Began Zlatina Kozhuharova Yosifova, Marketing Lead at TRACEGROUND: \"We first built a prototype of the system and started out as a startup testing the product on different farms. In the meantime, we applied to the LaunchLabs Accelerator Program and were accepted because of our innovative idea. In the accelerator, we had the opportunity to be mentored by outstanding business people and senior managers from various companies. That is where one of our mentors turned out to be the CEO of Kaufland Bulgaria, Ivan Chernev. As a forward looking chain, Kaufland supported our innovative idea and ran a pilot implementation of the system to trace spinach at its first technologically innovative store, at the time located in Sofia's Manastirski Livadi neighborhood. That is how our partnership began. Today, our origin tracking QR codes are implemented on more than 100 items, fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs, from various Bulgarian agricultural producers under Kaufland's own brand \"Bray!\".\" Other Joint Projects and Technology Partnerships Petar Blagov, CTO of TRACEGROUND: \"We only partner with Kaufland on this specific project. But we also have a technology partnership with IBM, a European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) portfolio and node through our technology partner at TRACEGROUND, as well as a partnership with IDUnion for a specific service in Germany.\" Applications in Other Sectors Teodosiy Dimitrov, COO of TRACEGROUND: \"Yes, tracking documents related to so called 'trusted lists.' This service is provided by us together with a partner company in Germany (IDUnion). The entire TRACEGROUND team is working on expanding the tracked documentation and licenses, and on implementing government requirements that would reduce the time it takes for produce to cross borders and clear customs, which would significantly shorten the time for fresh products coming from outside the EU.\" Opportunities to Upgrade the Service Maria Georgieva, Business Development Manager at TRACEGROUND: \"Yes, there is room for many improvements and expanded features. At this stage, there are already videos of specific products and producers, so that part is not new. Of course, it can be expanded even further.\" Asenov adds that future development at Kaufland will come through implementing artificial intelligence in the system, as well as integrating the origin tracking app with the \"Kaufland Customer Card\" service. This will allow the scope to expand to data exchange, better insights into customer behavior, and rewards for end consumers. It is especially important that the consumer receives a reward, in the form of Kaufland points, for scanning the TRACEGROUND QR code. On top of all its other benefits, this will help strengthen trust between Kaufland and the end customer. Since the service is relatively new and covers a huge amount of information that has to be processed and verified, Kaufland is currently using only a small part of what TRACEGROUND can offer, and the team has plans to upgrade and scale the service significantly. As an example of where things are headed, Asenov points to the opportunity to integrate blockchain technology further. TRACEGROUND's partner company holds the Bulgarian nodes of the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI), the infrastructure behind the digital euro, which will roll out across the EU starting at the end of 2027. The combination of artificial intelligence and EBSI gives the company a competitive edge in the coming digitalization of agriculture and the food sector, and according to the team, this will unlock enormous potential for all of TRACEGROUND's clients and users. Which Other Countries Use the Service Maria Georgieva: \"The service is gradually expanding around the world. Similar services exist in the United States, South Korea, Croatia, Italy, and many other countries, and it keeps improving and expanding its reach across every continent. Our most recent collaboration came at the invitation of the Bulgarian-African Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Culture (BACCIC), where our company was presented to a Nigerian prince and influential delegates from the Nigerian government, as an opportunity for them to benefit from TRACEGROUND's technological innovations. It is worth noting that in Europe too, food origin traceability is becoming an increasingly sought after and widespread service, since it is currently a top priority for the European Union.\" How Often the Information Is Updated Petar Blagov: \"With full implementation of the system across farmers, retail chains, suppliers, and all other participants in the chain, updates need to happen instantly and automatically. At this stage, that still happens manually, when Kaufland or the producer submits new information. Beyond that, automatic synchronization processes can be built at Kaufland's request, for example for promotions, recipes, events, and other important segments, once artificial intelligence has been expanded and implemented in the system.\" The Team and the Scale of the Company Petar Blagov: \"The technical and technology team is 9 people, the rest are administrative staff and business development.\" TRACEGROUND's Other Solutions and Products Petar Blagov: \"The solutions we have developed are in the field of data tracking and encryption using blockchain services. In close partnership with the European Commission, we are developing digital solutions under the European Blockchain Infrastructure, related to the single European digital identity wallet. Infrastructure solutions in information technology are also part of that partnership. The company also specializes in building desktop and mobile applications, for both Android and iOS.\" Maria Georgieva: \"Our main mission this year is the digitalization of the agricultural sector in Bulgaria. Our ERP platform, TraceFarm, is currently launching. It streamlines and optimizes processes in agriculture using artificial intelligence and data exchange between farmers, with the goal of building better cooperatives. TraceFarm together with the TRACEGROUND QR system will result in a complete package of digital services for the farmer, and traceability across the entire supply chain, from the farm through Kaufland to the end consumer's table. Reducing food waste is also an important goal for TRACEGROUND, and as part of the company's ESG strategy, so is reducing its carbon footprint, or CO2 emissions, a service that is in extremely high demand worldwide.\" Why This Matters for AgriVentures TRACEGROUND is an example of how AgriVentures members turn a specific problem from the farm into a solution with national, and now international, reach. The company's story, from a personal injustice against an agricultural producer to a partnership with the country's largest retail chain, technology infrastructure at the European level, and recognition beyond Europe, shows the path along which the cluster supports Bulgarian agtech innovators: through mentorship, industry connections, and access to market opportunities. For AgriVentures, the TRACEGROUND story is a source of pride and encouragement for other cluster members to follow the same path: identify a real problem in the sector, build a team with complementary skills, and pursue partnerships that scale the solution beyond Bulgaria's borders. Checkout our guides for funding opportunities Agriventures Connect 3.0  is coming on 20th of April 2026 in Sofia, Bulgaria  The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation. Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization. By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.",{"nodes":12,"documentStyle":922},[13,31,36,49,54,68,80,85,99,104,116,121,133,138,150,155,167,172,184,189,201,213,231,242,247,259,264,276,281,293,298,310,322,338,349,361,373,385,397,409,414,419,431,443,455,464,476,481,493,498,510,522,534,546,558,568,580,592,604,616,621,633,645,657,662,671,683,690,702,721,727,744,752,766,779,794,798,806,818,830,845,861,866,877,888,896,902,917],{"type":14,"id":15,"nodes":16,"paragraphData":28},"PARAGRAPH","ezxda3",[17],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":20,"textData":21},"TEXT","",[],{"text":22,"decorations":23},"Transparency about origin is no longer just a nice to have for Bulgarian producers, it is a standard that customers now expect. TRACEGROUND, a technology startup and active member of the AgriVentures cluster, is the company behind the solution that made this possible at the largest retail chain in the country. With a single QR code on the label, shoppers buying fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs from Kaufland's own brand \"Bray!\" can now trace the entire path of the product from the farm to the shelf. This makes Kaufland Bulgaria the first retail chain in the country to introduce \"field to shelf\" traceability as a category standard.",[24],{"type":25,"colorData":26},"COLOR",{"foreground":27},"rgb(0, 0, 0)",{"textStyle":29},{"textAlignment":30},"AUTO",{"type":14,"id":32,"nodes":33,"paragraphData":34},"wr9ha5",[],{"textStyle":35},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":37,"nodes":38,"paragraphData":47},"u10cw6",[39],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":40,"textData":41},[],{"text":42,"decorations":43},"The TRACEGROUND story is a strong example of what AgriVentures members can achieve when agricultural innovation meets a real market problem. Below is the full story of the company, the team behind it, and its growth plans, told by the founders themselves.",[44],{"type":25,"colorData":45},{"background":46,"foreground":27},"transparent",{"textStyle":48},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":50,"nodes":51,"paragraphData":52},"6rwwf515",[],{"textStyle":53},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":55,"id":56,"nodes":57,"headingData":65},"HEADING","1ubja8",[58],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":59,"textData":60},[],{"text":61,"decorations":62},"The Team Behind TRACEGROUND",[63],{"type":25,"colorData":64},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"level":66,"textStyle":67},2,{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":69,"nodes":70,"paragraphData":78},"nrl8g10",[71],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":72,"textData":73},[],{"text":74,"decorations":75},"The idea was born in 2018, from a team of entrepreneurs and experts with experience in agriculture, technology, and business development.",[76],{"type":25,"colorData":77},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":79},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":81,"nodes":82,"paragraphData":83},"bfd2j556",[],{"textStyle":84},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":86,"id":87,"nodes":88,"imageData":89},"IMAGE","eclow630",[],{"containerData":90,"image":94},{"width":91,"alignment":93,"textWrap":4},{"size":92},"CONTENT","CENTER",{"src":95,"width":97,"height":98},{"id":96},"1cd362_9eed1ea1c6474270910fcf8cca3631f6~mv2.jpg",1024,683,{"type":14,"id":100,"nodes":101,"paragraphData":102},"kjq9612",[],{"textStyle":103},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":105,"nodes":106,"paragraphData":114},"bk2f613",[107],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":108,"textData":109},[],{"text":110,"decorations":111},"Viktor Asenov is an agricultural producer, entrepreneur, and the company's CEO. His mission is the digitalization of agriculture in Bulgaria and the traceability of food origin.",[112],{"type":25,"colorData":113},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":115},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":117,"nodes":118,"paragraphData":119},"6qcao15",[],{"textStyle":120},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":122,"nodes":123,"paragraphData":131},"xtqdq16",[124],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":125,"textData":126},[],{"text":127,"decorations":128},"Petar Blagov is the company's technology lead. He specializes in developing blockchain solutions for tracking and data protection, including infrastructure, digital identities, and mobile applications.",[129],{"type":25,"colorData":130},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":132},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":134,"nodes":135,"paragraphData":136},"7xm8818",[],{"textStyle":137},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":139,"nodes":140,"paragraphData":148},"yr3ce19",[141],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":142,"textData":143},[],{"text":144,"decorations":145},"Maria Georgieva is a business development expert, serial entrepreneur, and consultant with experience integrating innovative digital solutions and scaling businesses in a digital environment.",[146],{"type":25,"colorData":147},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":149},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":151,"nodes":152,"paragraphData":153},"q67hz21",[],{"textStyle":154},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":156,"nodes":157,"paragraphData":165},"9c1sv22",[158],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":159,"textData":160},[],{"text":161,"decorations":162},"Marketing and communications strategy at TRACEGROUND is led by Zlatina Kozhuharova Yosifova, a specialist with over 20 years of experience in PR and media communications.",[163],{"type":25,"colorData":164},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":166},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":168,"nodes":169,"paragraphData":170},"kc1hx24",[],{"textStyle":171},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":173,"nodes":174,"paragraphData":182},"639o725",[175],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":176,"textData":177},[],{"text":178,"decorations":179},"Teodosiy Dimitrov, a co-founder of the company, is a consultant on European funding and an expert in agrarian marketing, contributing a multidisciplinary approach that combines scientific expertise, strategic planning, and market knowledge.",[180],{"type":25,"colorData":181},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":183},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":185,"nodes":186,"paragraphData":187},"uq832680",[],{"textStyle":188},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":55,"id":190,"nodes":191,"headingData":199},"barui27",[192],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":193,"textData":194},[],{"text":195,"decorations":196},"How the Idea Was Born",[197],{"type":25,"colorData":198},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"level":66,"textStyle":200},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":202,"nodes":203,"paragraphData":211},"iv41629",[204],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":205,"textData":206},[],{"text":207,"decorations":208},"Viktor Asenov, CEO of TRACEGROUND: ",[209],{"type":25,"colorData":210},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":212},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":214,"id":215,"nodes":216,"blockquoteData":230},"BLOCKQUOTE","zpgsz799",[217],{"type":14,"id":218,"nodes":219,"paragraphData":227},"9a4a7839",[220],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":221,"textData":222},[],{"text":223,"decorations":224},"\"The idea was born on my family farm. I am an agricultural producer, and we had a specific situation. Another producer was improperly selling their produce at a large retail chain while presenting it as mine. We found out by accident, from neighbors who mentioned they had seen crates with my name on them at the retail chain. That is when we realized there was a serious problem, because there was no system to track the origin of food, and that meant there was no way to guarantee the quality of the product for the end consumer.",[225],{"type":25,"colorData":226},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":228,"indentation":229},{"textAlignment":30},0,{"indentation":229},{"type":86,"id":232,"nodes":233,"imageData":234},"mx35t1113",[],{"containerData":235,"image":237},{"width":236,"alignment":93,"textWrap":4},{"size":92},{"src":238,"width":240,"height":241},{"id":239},"1cd362_88a27a8e1dbf4f87b826800e44f22dc0~mv2.jpg",1200,480,{"type":14,"id":243,"nodes":244,"paragraphData":245},"my80b31",[],{"textStyle":246},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":248,"nodes":249,"paragraphData":257},"rkssp32",[250],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":251,"textData":252},[],{"text":253,"decorations":254},"We decided that we had to be the ones to build a traceability system, in order to help Bulgarian producers and consumers. While working on the system, we recognized the need for digital solutions that would optimize processes, reduce costs, and improve product quality on the farm. We realized that everything needed to run through a single system, without requiring multiple software products, since that leads to a labor intensive, slow, and resource heavy solution. That is why we built an intuitive, unified product where everything lives in one place.",[255],{"type":25,"colorData":256},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":258},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":260,"nodes":261,"paragraphData":262},"w6id434",[],{"textStyle":263},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":265,"nodes":266,"paragraphData":274},"oezmh35",[267],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":268,"textData":269},[],{"text":270,"decorations":271},"It is precisely this end to end solution that makes it possible to track the entire process from planting to the table, which can guarantee origin and quality for the end consumer. That is why we at TRACEGROUND committed to building a product that would not only be useful for the producer but would also give the end consumer peace of mind. At the moment, there are no systems like this in Bulgaria, and no one can really say what we are eating or how it affects our health.",[272],{"type":25,"colorData":273},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":275},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":277,"nodes":278,"paragraphData":279},"nhti437",[],{"textStyle":280},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":282,"nodes":283,"paragraphData":291},"dqkwc38",[284],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":285,"textData":286},[],{"text":287,"decorations":288},"We hope TRACEGROUND will change that, and that every Bulgarian household will have quality, healthy food with a clear origin on the table.\"",[289],{"type":25,"colorData":290},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":292},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":294,"nodes":295,"paragraphData":296},"zfmu7922",[],{"textStyle":297},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":55,"id":299,"nodes":300,"headingData":308},"6ptl140",[301],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":302,"textData":303},[],{"text":304,"decorations":305},"How and When the Partnership with Kaufland Began",[306],{"type":25,"colorData":307},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"level":66,"textStyle":309},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":311,"nodes":312,"paragraphData":320},"tnt4342",[313],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":314,"textData":315},[],{"text":316,"decorations":317},"Zlatina Kozhuharova Yosifova, Marketing Lead at TRACEGROUND: ",[318],{"type":25,"colorData":319},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":321},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":214,"id":323,"nodes":324,"blockquoteData":337},"f1w83964",[325],{"type":14,"id":326,"nodes":327,"paragraphData":335},"21m191005",[328],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":329,"textData":330},[],{"text":331,"decorations":332},"\"We first built a prototype of the system and started out as a startup testing the product on different farms. In the meantime, we applied to the LaunchLabs Accelerator Program and were accepted because of our innovative idea. In the accelerator, we had the opportunity to be mentored by outstanding business people and senior managers from various companies. ",[333],{"type":25,"colorData":334},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":336,"indentation":229},{"textAlignment":30},{"indentation":229},{"type":86,"id":339,"nodes":340,"imageData":341},"fnqoe1199",[],{"containerData":342,"image":344},{"width":343,"alignment":93,"textWrap":4},{"size":92},{"src":345,"width":347,"height":348},{"id":346},"1cd362_32a1af06001e4cc58497bb908be233b0~mv2.jpg",4500,2994,{"type":14,"id":350,"nodes":351,"paragraphData":359},"kwoxi1047",[352],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":353,"textData":354},[],{"text":355,"decorations":356},"That is where one of our mentors turned out to be the CEO of Kaufland Bulgaria, Ivan Chernev. As a forward looking chain, Kaufland supported our innovative idea and ran a pilot implementation of the system to trace spinach at its first technologically innovative store, at the time located in Sofia's Manastirski Livadi neighborhood. That is how our partnership began. Today, our origin tracking QR codes are implemented on more than 100 items, fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs, from various Bulgarian agricultural producers under Kaufland's own brand \"Bray!\".\"",[357],{"type":25,"colorData":358},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":360},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":55,"id":362,"nodes":363,"headingData":371},"2dyyp44",[364],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":365,"textData":366},[],{"text":367,"decorations":368},"Other Joint Projects and Technology Partnerships",[369],{"type":25,"colorData":370},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"level":66,"textStyle":372},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":374,"nodes":375,"paragraphData":383},"zha7l46",[376],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":377,"textData":378},[],{"text":379,"decorations":380},"Petar Blagov, CTO of TRACEGROUND: \"We only partner with Kaufland on this specific project. But we also have a technology partnership with IBM, a European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) portfolio and node through our technology partner at TRACEGROUND, as well as a partnership with IDUnion for a specific service in Germany.\"",[381],{"type":25,"colorData":382},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":384},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":55,"id":386,"nodes":387,"headingData":395},"edma048",[388],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":389,"textData":390},[],{"text":391,"decorations":392},"Applications in Other Sectors",[393],{"type":25,"colorData":394},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"level":66,"textStyle":396},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":398,"nodes":399,"paragraphData":407},"bxsdj50",[400],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":401,"textData":402},[],{"text":403,"decorations":404},"Teodosiy Dimitrov, COO of TRACEGROUND: \"Yes, tracking documents related to so called 'trusted lists.' This service is provided by us together with a partner company in Germany (IDUnion).",[405],{"type":25,"colorData":406},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":408},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":410,"nodes":411,"paragraphData":412},"p4mc21266",[],{"textStyle":413},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":415,"nodes":416,"paragraphData":417},"74qxf52",[],{"textStyle":418},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":420,"nodes":421,"paragraphData":429},"d5mfq53",[422],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":423,"textData":424},[],{"text":425,"decorations":426},"The entire TRACEGROUND team is working on expanding the tracked documentation and licenses, and on implementing government requirements that would reduce the time it takes for produce to cross borders and clear customs, which would significantly shorten the time for fresh products coming from outside the EU.\"",[427],{"type":25,"colorData":428},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":430},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":55,"id":432,"nodes":433,"headingData":441},"lagwi55",[434],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":435,"textData":436},[],{"text":437,"decorations":438},"Opportunities to Upgrade the Service",[439],{"type":25,"colorData":440},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"level":66,"textStyle":442},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":444,"nodes":445,"paragraphData":453},"5y7ml57",[446],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":447,"textData":448},[],{"text":449,"decorations":450},"Maria Georgieva, Business Development Manager at TRACEGROUND: \"Yes, there is room for many improvements and expanded features. At this stage, there are already videos of specific products and producers, so that part is not new. Of course, it can be expanded even further.\"",[451],{"type":25,"colorData":452},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":454},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":86,"id":456,"nodes":457,"imageData":458},"d64tp1285",[],{"containerData":459,"image":461},{"width":460,"alignment":93,"textWrap":4},{"size":92},{"src":462,"width":348,"height":347},{"id":463},"1cd362_5cd4d1e7de264c25b0918ee69ec7172b~mv2.jpg",{"type":14,"id":465,"nodes":466,"paragraphData":474},"uw6c660",[467],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":468,"textData":469},[],{"text":470,"decorations":471},"Asenov adds that future development at Kaufland will come through implementing artificial intelligence in the system, as well as integrating the origin tracking app with the \"Kaufland Customer Card\" service. This will allow the scope to expand to data exchange, better insights into customer behavior, and rewards for end consumers. It is especially important that the consumer receives a reward, in the form of Kaufland points, for scanning the TRACEGROUND QR code. On top of all its other benefits, this will help strengthen trust between Kaufland and the end customer.",[472],{"type":25,"colorData":473},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":475},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":477,"nodes":478,"paragraphData":479},"q3bw662",[],{"textStyle":480},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":482,"nodes":483,"paragraphData":491},"z3rp363",[484],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":485,"textData":486},[],{"text":487,"decorations":488},"Since the service is relatively new and covers a huge amount of information that has to be processed and verified, Kaufland is currently using only a small part of what TRACEGROUND can offer, and the team has plans to upgrade and scale the service significantly.",[489],{"type":25,"colorData":490},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":492},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":494,"nodes":495,"paragraphData":496},"n2rrh65",[],{"textStyle":497},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":499,"nodes":500,"paragraphData":508},"mcdoy66",[501],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":502,"textData":503},[],{"text":504,"decorations":505},"As an example of where things are headed, Asenov points to the opportunity to integrate blockchain technology further. TRACEGROUND's partner company holds the Bulgarian nodes of the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI), the infrastructure behind the digital euro, which will roll out across the EU starting at the end of 2027. The combination of artificial intelligence and EBSI gives the company a competitive edge in the coming digitalization of agriculture and the food sector, and according to the team, this will unlock enormous potential for all of TRACEGROUND's clients and users.",[506],{"type":25,"colorData":507},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":509},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":55,"id":511,"nodes":512,"headingData":520},"u55gq68",[513],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":514,"textData":515},[],{"text":516,"decorations":517},"Which Other Countries Use the Service",[518],{"type":25,"colorData":519},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"level":66,"textStyle":521},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":523,"nodes":524,"paragraphData":532},"a5q3z70",[525],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":526,"textData":527},[],{"text":528,"decorations":529},"Maria Georgieva: \"The service is gradually expanding around the world. Similar services exist in the United States, South Korea, Croatia, Italy, and many other countries, and it keeps improving and expanding its reach across every continent. Our most recent collaboration came at the invitation of the Bulgarian-African Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Culture (BACCIC), where our company was presented to a Nigerian prince and influential delegates from the Nigerian government, as an opportunity for them to benefit from TRACEGROUND's technological innovations. It is worth noting that in Europe too, food origin traceability is becoming an increasingly sought after and widespread service, since it is currently a top priority for the European Union.\"",[530],{"type":25,"colorData":531},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":533},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":55,"id":535,"nodes":536,"headingData":544},"gtms172",[537],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":538,"textData":539},[],{"text":540,"decorations":541},"How Often the Information Is Updated",[542],{"type":25,"colorData":543},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"level":66,"textStyle":545},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":547,"nodes":548,"paragraphData":556},"kmpxk74",[549],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":550,"textData":551},[],{"text":552,"decorations":553},"Petar Blagov: \"With full implementation of the system across farmers, retail chains, suppliers, and all other participants in the chain, updates need to happen instantly and automatically. At this stage, that still happens manually, when Kaufland or the producer submits new information. Beyond that, automatic synchronization processes can be built at Kaufland's request, for example for promotions, recipes, events, and other important segments, once artificial intelligence has been expanded and implemented in the system.\"",[554],{"type":25,"colorData":555},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":557},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":86,"id":559,"nodes":560,"imageData":561},"i2v1h1371",[],{"containerData":562,"image":564},{"width":563,"alignment":93,"textWrap":4},{"size":92},{"src":565,"width":97,"height":567},{"id":566},"1cd362_68700915698b493396162e557ebbbad0~mv2.jpg",681,{"type":55,"id":569,"nodes":570,"headingData":578},"wmny176",[571],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":572,"textData":573},[],{"text":574,"decorations":575},"The Team and the Scale of the Company",[576],{"type":25,"colorData":577},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"level":66,"textStyle":579},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":581,"nodes":582,"paragraphData":590},"9n3do78",[583],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":584,"textData":585},[],{"text":586,"decorations":587},"Petar Blagov: \"The technical and technology team is 9 people, the rest are administrative staff and business development.\"",[588],{"type":25,"colorData":589},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":591},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":55,"id":593,"nodes":594,"headingData":602},"glxa680",[595],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":596,"textData":597},[],{"text":598,"decorations":599},"TRACEGROUND's Other Solutions and Products",[600],{"type":25,"colorData":601},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"level":66,"textStyle":603},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":605,"nodes":606,"paragraphData":614},"amtac82",[607],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":608,"textData":609},[],{"text":610,"decorations":611},"Petar Blagov: \"The solutions we have developed are in the field of data tracking and encryption using blockchain services. In close partnership with the European Commission, we are developing digital solutions under the European Blockchain Infrastructure, related to the single European digital identity wallet. Infrastructure solutions in information technology are also part of that partnership. The company also specializes in building desktop and mobile applications, for both Android and iOS.\"",[612],{"type":25,"colorData":613},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":615},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":617,"nodes":618,"paragraphData":619},"r1yuc84",[],{"textStyle":620},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":622,"nodes":623,"paragraphData":631},"ihpqn85",[624],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":625,"textData":626},[],{"text":627,"decorations":628},"Maria Georgieva: \"Our main mission this year is the digitalization of the agricultural sector in Bulgaria. Our ERP platform, TraceFarm, is currently launching. It streamlines and optimizes processes in agriculture using artificial intelligence and data exchange between farmers, with the goal of building better cooperatives. TraceFarm together with the TRACEGROUND QR system will result in a complete package of digital services for the farmer, and traceability across the entire supply chain, from the farm through Kaufland to the end consumer's table. Reducing food waste is also an important goal for TRACEGROUND, and as part of the company's ESG strategy, so is reducing its carbon footprint, or CO2 emissions, a service that is in extremely high demand worldwide.\"",[629],{"type":25,"colorData":630},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":632},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":55,"id":634,"nodes":635,"headingData":643},"qhz2p87",[636],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":637,"textData":638},[],{"text":639,"decorations":640},"Why This Matters for AgriVentures",[641],{"type":25,"colorData":642},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"level":66,"textStyle":644},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":646,"nodes":647,"paragraphData":655},"iq9fj89",[648],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":649,"textData":650},[],{"text":651,"decorations":652},"TRACEGROUND is an example of how AgriVentures members turn a specific problem from the farm into a solution with national, and now international, reach. The company's story, from a personal injustice against an agricultural producer to a partnership with the country's largest retail chain, technology infrastructure at the European level, and recognition beyond Europe, shows the path along which the cluster supports Bulgarian agtech innovators: through mentorship, industry connections, and access to market opportunities.",[653],{"type":25,"colorData":654},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":656},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":658,"nodes":659,"paragraphData":660},"pgiwx91",[],{"textStyle":661},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":86,"id":663,"nodes":664,"imageData":665},"1ft5x1457",[],{"containerData":666,"image":668},{"width":667,"alignment":93,"textWrap":4},{"size":92},{"src":669,"width":97,"height":98},{"id":670},"1cd362_269fad2f9fad4b5ea43e3e0e59c732df~mv2.jpg",{"type":14,"id":672,"nodes":673,"paragraphData":681},"o6qvc92",[674],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":675,"textData":676},[],{"text":677,"decorations":678},"For AgriVentures, the TRACEGROUND story is a source of pride and encouragement for other cluster members to follow the same path: identify a real problem in the sector, build a team with complementary skills, and pursue partnerships that scale the solution beyond Bulgaria's borders.",[679],{"type":25,"colorData":680},{"background":46,"foreground":27},{"textStyle":682},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":14,"id":684,"nodes":685,"style":686,"paragraphData":687},"n10w228197",[],{},{"textStyle":688},{"textAlignment":689},"JUSTIFY",{"type":691,"id":692,"nodes":693,"dividerData":694},"DIVIDER","j39ui7495",[],{"containerData":695,"lineStyle":700,"width":701,"alignment":93},{"width":696,"alignment":93,"spoiler":697,"height":698,"textWrap":699},{},{},{},false,"SINGLE","LARGE",{"type":14,"id":703,"nodes":704,"style":718,"paragraphData":719},"kduny28211",[705],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":706,"textData":707},[],{"text":708,"decorations":709},"Checkout our guides for funding opportunities ",[710,713],{"type":711,"fontWeightValue":712},"BOLD",700,{"type":714,"fontSizeData":715},"FONT_SIZE",{"unit":716,"value":717},"PX",24,{},{"textStyle":720},{"textAlignment":93},{"type":14,"id":722,"nodes":723,"style":724,"paragraphData":725},"4zlw07305",[],{},{"textStyle":726},{"textAlignment":689},{"type":728,"id":729,"nodes":730,"buttonData":731},"BUTTON","qj13s7333",[],{"containerData":732,"type":737,"styles":738,"text":739,"link":740},{"width":733,"alignment":93,"spoiler":735,"height":736,"textWrap":4},{"size":734},"ORIGINAL",{},{},"LINK",{},"Download for free ",{"url":741,"target":742,"rel":743},"https:\u002F\u002Fprojects.agriventures.co\u002Fresources","BLANK",{"noreferrer":4},{"type":691,"id":745,"nodes":746,"dividerData":747},"6gov37518",[],{"containerData":748,"lineStyle":700,"width":701,"alignment":93},{"width":749,"alignment":93,"spoiler":750,"height":751,"textWrap":699},{},{},{},{"type":14,"id":753,"nodes":754,"paragraphData":764},"m453r7628",[755],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":756,"textData":757},[],{"text":758,"decorations":759},"Agriventures Connect 3.0  is coming on 20th of April 2026 in Sofia, Bulgaria",[760,761],{"type":711,"fontWeightValue":712},{"type":714,"fontSizeData":762},{"unit":716,"value":763},20,{"textStyle":765},{"textAlignment":93},{"type":14,"id":767,"nodes":768,"paragraphData":777},"r64oy9059",[769],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":770,"textData":771},[],{"text":772,"decorations":773}," ",[774,775],{"type":711,"fontWeightValue":712},{"type":714,"fontSizeData":776},{"unit":716,"value":763},{"textStyle":778},{"textAlignment":93},{"type":728,"id":780,"nodes":781,"buttonData":782},"ohcv28934",[],{"containerData":783,"type":737,"styles":787,"text":790,"link":791},{"width":784,"alignment":93,"spoiler":785,"height":786,"textWrap":4},{"size":734},{},{},{"buttonSize":701,"background":788},{"type":25,"color":789},"#A8587E","Subscribe to get notified for the early Bird tickets",{"url":792,"target":742,"rel":793},"https:\u002F\u002Fconnect.agriventures.co\u002F",{"noreferrer":4},{"type":14,"id":795,"nodes":796,"paragraphData":797},"vc8by5151",[],{},{"type":691,"id":799,"nodes":800,"dividerData":801},"ca9g19066",[],{"containerData":802,"lineStyle":700,"width":701,"alignment":93},{"width":803,"alignment":93,"spoiler":804,"height":805,"textWrap":699},{},{},{},{"type":55,"id":807,"nodes":808,"style":814,"headingData":815},"c9bz29145",[809],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":810,"textData":811},[],{"text":812,"decorations":813},"The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation",[],{},{"level":66,"textStyle":816},{"textAlignment":817},"LEFT",{"type":55,"id":819,"nodes":820,"style":826,"headingData":827},"vsnjm9147",[821],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":822,"textData":823},[],{"text":824,"decorations":825},"As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation.",[],{},{"level":828,"textStyle":829},6,{"textAlignment":689},{"type":214,"id":831,"nodes":832,"style":843,"blockquoteData":844},"yvsa79151",[833],{"type":14,"id":834,"nodes":835,"paragraphData":841},"ltql614399",[836],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":837,"textData":838},[],{"text":839,"decorations":840},"Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization.",[],{"textStyle":842,"indentation":229},{"textAlignment":30},{},{"indentation":229},{"type":728,"id":846,"nodes":847,"buttonData":848},"v8jk817528",[],{"containerData":849,"type":737,"styles":853,"text":857,"link":858},{"width":850,"alignment":93,"spoiler":851,"height":852,"textWrap":4},{"size":734},{},{},{"borderWidth":854,"buttonSize":701,"background":855},1,{"type":25,"color":856},"#366E85","Find hundreds of opportunities here",{"url":859,"target":742,"rel":860},"https:\u002F\u002Fagriventures.co\u002Fpricings",{"noreferrer":4},{"type":14,"id":862,"nodes":863,"paragraphData":864},"ke05m23499",[],{"textStyle":865},{"textAlignment":30},{"type":55,"id":867,"nodes":868,"style":874,"headingData":875},"s2vt39155",[869],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":870,"textData":871},[],{"text":872,"decorations":873},"By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.",[],{},{"level":828,"textStyle":876},{"textAlignment":689},{"type":55,"id":878,"nodes":879,"style":885,"headingData":886},"m0vme9159",[880],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":881,"textData":882},[],{"text":883,"decorations":884},"Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.",[],{},{"level":828,"textStyle":887},{"textAlignment":689},{"type":691,"id":889,"nodes":890,"dividerData":891},"lw4rd7611",[],{"containerData":892,"lineStyle":700,"width":701,"alignment":93},{"width":893,"alignment":93,"spoiler":894,"height":895,"textWrap":699},{},{},{},{"type":14,"id":897,"nodes":898,"style":899,"paragraphData":900},"7p0ov14496",[],{},{"textStyle":901},{"textAlignment":689},{"type":728,"id":903,"nodes":904,"buttonData":905},"nx55n14622",[],{"containerData":906,"type":737,"styles":910,"text":913,"link":914},{"width":907,"alignment":93,"spoiler":908,"height":909,"textWrap":4},{"size":734},{},{},{"buttonSize":701,"background":911},{"type":25,"color":912},"#1E4659","Donate for our mission",{"url":915,"target":742,"rel":916},"https:\u002F\u002Fdonate.stripe.com\u002FcNiaEW0rHadWdEa0mS4wM01",{"noreferrer":4},{"type":14,"id":918,"nodes":919,"paragraphData":920},"s51zy14716",[],{"textStyle":921},{"textAlignment":30},{},{"image":924},{"url":925,"altText":7},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002F1cd362_9eed1ea1c6474270910fcf8cca3631f6~mv2.jpg#originWidth=1024&originHeight=683","2026-08-14T11:49:16.645Z",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fagriventures-co-updates-traceground-agriventures-food-traceability","en","1cd362a1-09ac-4de4-951b-bf76d96262ce",[],[],[],[935,950,965,980,996,1011],{"_id":936,"title":937,"slug":938,"excerpt":939,"contentText":940,"featuredMedia":941,"firstPublishedDate":944,"lastPublishedDate":944,"hashtags":945,"url":946,"language":929,"memberId":930,"pinned":699,"featured":699,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":947,"categoryIds":948,"relatedPostIds":949},"4fc7655b-95a8-47e9-a66f-fdd2cf72c255","ONDO Brings Automated Subsurface Drip Irrigation to 150+Hectares of Bulgarian Orchards","ondo-brings-automated-subsurface-drip-irrigation-to-150-hectares-of-bulgarian-orchards","ONDO, the irrigation automation company, has completed one of its most extensive projects to date: a fully automated subsurface drip irrigation system covering more than 150 hectares of almond and plum orchards across three farms in Bulgaria, all belonging to the same producer. The three sites are a 100-hectare almond orchard in Drachevo, Burgas Province; a 25-hectare plum orchard in Voden, Yambol Province; and a 25-hectare almond orchard in Kamen, Sliven Province. A turnkey system, built...","ONDO, the irrigation automation company, has completed one of its most extensive projects to date: a fully automated subsurface drip irrigation system covering more than 150 hectares of almond and plum orchards across three farms in Bulgaria, all belonging to the same producer. The three sites are a 100-hectare almond orchard in Drachevo, Burgas Province; a 25-hectare plum orchard in Voden, Yambol Province; and a 25-hectare almond orchard in Kamen, Sliven Province. A turnkey system, built from the ground up The project was delivered end to end by ONDO's team, from hydraulic design and infrastructure construction to automation and commissioning. Four ONDO Pro controllers now manage five separate irrigation infrastructures, while valve control across all three farms runs through more than 50 wireless ONDO AIR Point modules. Together, these allow the producer to operate irrigation and precision fertigation fully remotely at every site. Because none of the three farms has access to the public electricity grid, the main irrigation pumps run on diesel generators, while the ONDO Pro controllers draw continuous power from small solar systems designed and installed by ONDO. The controllers also manage the diesel generators and pumps directly, using variable-frequency control to keep the system efficient and self-sufficient off-grid. Each site is equipped with three-channel FertiON nutrient dosing units for automated precision fertigation, along with automatic self-cleaning sand and screen filters for primary and secondary filtration. Engineering around difficult terrain Rugged terrain, sharp elevation changes and rocky soils made this a demanding hydraulic design job. At Kamen, the elevation difference across the orchard exceeds 110 metres, requiring precise hydraulic sizing to keep pressure and flow consistent across the site. At Drachevo, the challenge was scale: 100 hectares of hard-to-access terrain had to be covered by the wireless automation network, alongside kilometres of newly built water distribution pipelines, all within a tight installation window. Despite the terrain, the wireless system held stable coverage and reliable automated control across the orchard. The project in numbers 20+ km of underground pipelines, ranging in diameter from 40 to 160 mm 220+ km of subsurface drip irrigation lines 50+ wireless valve control modules 4 ONDO Pro controllers 5 main irrigation pumps 55 solenoid valves 20 soil moisture sensors Why this matters for Bulgarian growers For Agriventures' network of producers, this project is a useful reference point rather than just an industry headline. A large share of Bulgarian orchards and vineyards sit on exactly this kind of terrain: hilly, rocky, and often without a reliable grid connection nearby. The diesel-generator-plus-solar setup used here shows a practical way to run fully automated, remotely controlled irrigation even off-grid, without sacrificing the precision that subsurface drip and fertigation depend on. The scale of the automation is also notable. Managing 55 valves and 20 soil moisture sensors across three separate farms through four controllers, with irrigation scheduled either on a fixed plan or driven by real soil-moisture readings, points to where orchard and vineyard management in Bulgaria is heading: less manual valve-turning, more remote, data-driven water management. For growers weighing whether automation is worth the investment on difficult ground, this project is evidence that it can be done at scale, and done reliably. Agriventures will continue to track projects like this one as part of our work supporting the modernisation and competitiveness of Bulgarian agriculture. The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation. Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization. By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.",{"image":942},{"url":943,"altText":937},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002F1cd362_eaba0ee689c24a28b8c93412c4b6c53b~mv2.png\u002Fimage.png#originWidth=1200&originHeight=628","2026-07-21T18:58:35.000Z",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fondo-brings-automated-subsurface-drip-irrigation-to-150-hectares-of-bulgarian-orchards",[],[],[],{"_id":951,"title":952,"slug":953,"excerpt":954,"contentText":955,"featuredMedia":956,"firstPublishedDate":959,"lastPublishedDate":959,"hashtags":960,"url":961,"language":929,"memberId":930,"pinned":699,"featured":699,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":962,"categoryIds":963,"relatedPostIds":964},"94c7d8f5-6a48-4864-8e0a-a6f5a50b9a15","AgriVentures Opens a New Soil Living Lab  — Ready for the Next Wave of International Projects","agriventures-opens-a-new-soil-living-lab-ready-for-the-next-wave-of-eu-funded-projects","AgriVentures is proud to announce the opening of a new agricultural Living Lab in Kubrat, Bulgaria — a real-world demonstration site now ready to host EU-funded research, pilot trials, and innovation projects across the agrifood value chain. Following the success of \"Triathlon of Success\" — a demonstration field built around intermediate (cover), melliferous and oil-bearing crops — the Kubrat site has evolved from a one-day showcase into a permanent, working Living Lab open to European...","AgriVentures is proud to announce the opening of a new agricultural Living Lab in Kubrat, Bulgaria — a real-world demonstration site now ready to host EU-funded research, pilot trials, and innovation projects across the agrifood value chain. Following the success of \"Triathlon of Success\" — a demonstration field built around intermediate (cover), melliferous and oil-bearing crops — the Kubrat site has evolved from a one-day showcase into a permanent, working Living Lab open to European partners and project consortia. Backed up with project management experience, the team together with Agrovar and Seeds.bg are open to new large scale projects. From Demo Field to Living Lab On June 11, 2026, AgriVentures and partners Сортови Семена Разград and Agrovar hosted a demonstration day on more than 20 plots in Kubrat, bringing together farmers, agronomists and project partners around nine alternative crops: lupin, vetch (Vicia ervilia), fenugreek, field pea, buckwheat, safflower, camelina and white mustard. Farmers and agronomists walked the plots, inspected live soil profiles, and discussed how cover, pollinator-friendly and oilseed crops can cut input costs, restore soil organic matter, support pollinators, and add resilience against drought. That single day has now become the foundation for something bigger. The Kubrat field is being established as a permanent agricultural Living Lab — a real-farm environment where new crop varieties, soil-health practices, crop rotations and digital monitoring tools can be tested, measured and demonstrated under real production conditions, together with the farming community that will ultimately use them. Why It Matters for EU Funding Living Labs are at the heart of the European Commission's approach to agricultural innovation — most visibly through Horizon Europe's Mission Soil – A Soil Deal for Europe, which is funding networks of Living Labs and Lighthouses across the continent to translate soil science into farm practice. AgriVentures has been closely tracking this wave of funding, including the 13 newly launched Mission Soil projects spanning soil biodiversity, carbon farming, erosion monitoring, nitrogen fluxes and pollinator-friendly farming. With the Kubrat Living Lab now operational, AgriVentures can offer European project consortia something many proposals lack: an established demonstration site, a network of engaged farmers and agronomists, and three years of crop and soil data already in motion through the cover\u002Fmelliferous\u002Foilseed rotation programme. This positions the site — and AgriVentures as a partner — for participation in upcoming calls under: Horizon Europe Mission Soil — Living Labs and Lighthouse farms for soil health, carbon farming and biodiversity AgroDigiRise 2.0 — the European Digital Innovation Hub for agriculture, supporting digital adoption on farms Erasmus+ and SAFE-AGRI — skills, training and responsible-innovation initiatives for the agrifood sector Open for Partners AgriVentures, together with Select Seeds and Agrovar, is now inviting research institutions, agritech companies, farmer cooperatives and project coordinators across Europe to explore collaboration opportunities at the  Living Lab — whether as a demonstration site, a data-collection partner, or a pilot location for new Horizon Europe, Erasmus+. \"The demo day showed us that farmers want practical answers, not theory. A Living Lab gives us a place to find those answers together — and to bring that evidence straight into new European projects.\" — AgriVentures team Organisations interested in partnering on a project proposal involving the Kubrat Living Lab can get in touch with the AgriVentures team at start@agriventures.co, or via agriventures.co or https:\u002F\u002Fpokrivni.com\u002F AgriVentures is a mission-driven non-profit accelerating innovation in agriculture and food, connecting startups, farmers, researchers and funding opportunities across the European agrifood ecosystem. The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation. Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization. By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.",{"image":957},{"url":958,"altText":952},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002F1cd362_a0344adae2c14fec85b7a720bcdcbe9d~mv2.jpg\u002F%D0%A1%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%20%D0%A1%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0%20%D0%A0%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B4-109.jpg#originWidth=4743&originHeight=3162","2026-06-14T17:52:49.000Z",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fagriventures-opens-a-new-soil-living-lab-ready-for-the-next-wave-of-eu-funded-projects",[],[],[],{"_id":966,"title":967,"slug":968,"excerpt":969,"contentText":970,"featuredMedia":971,"firstPublishedDate":974,"lastPublishedDate":974,"hashtags":975,"url":976,"language":929,"memberId":930,"pinned":699,"featured":699,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":977,"categoryIds":978,"relatedPostIds":979},"58d1d679-ad05-4421-9f73-e2d537403caf","How MealProt's Zemja Liquid Turns Insect Frass Into a Circular Bio-Input for European Farms","how-mealprot-s-zemja-liquid-turns-insect-frass-into-a-circular-bio-input-for-european-farms","An interview (Part I) with Veselina, founder of MealProt, on the science behind Zemja Liquid and the commercial opportunity CBAM is creating for circular bio-input producers. Interview by Dilyana Kutsarova MealProt's Zemja Liquid is built on a simple but powerful idea: instead of feeding plants with external chemical inputs, activate the natural defence and resilience systems plants already have. We sat down with MealProt founder Veselina to understand what's actually happening in the soil...","An interview (Part I) with Veselina, founder of MealProt, on the science behind Zemja Liquid and the commercial opportunity CBAM is creating for circular bio-input producers. Interview by Dilyana Kutsarova MealProt's Zemja Liquid is built on a simple but powerful idea: instead of feeding plants with external chemical inputs, activate the natural defence and resilience systems plants already have. We sat down with MealProt founder Veselina to understand what's actually happening in the soil when Zemja Liquid is applied — and why Europe's shifting trade and climate policy, including CBAM, is creating real commercial momentum for circular, regionally produced bio-inputs. 1. Tell us about your story. MealProt's Zemja Liquid works by activating natural soil–plant–microbiome interactions rather than delivering external inputs. Can you explain in plain language what is actually happening in the soil — and why that matters for a farmer? The story of MealProt started during the pandemic, when our family moved from the city to the countryside. Spending more time close to nature changes the way you look at things. You start noticing processes that were always there, but you had never really seen before. At that time, we was in insect farming, and saw something much bigger in it. We saw the possibility to recreate, in a controlled way, part of the natural cycle of life: organic matter is transformed, returned to the soil, and becomes food and strength for the next generation of plants. In the beginning, we did not know exactly how far we could take this idea. But we knew that there was potential, and we knew that we wanted to build something meaningful from it. We start with a practical step - to create liquid extract from insect frass — insect manure — that would be easier for farmers to apply, but would still keep as much as possible of the useful natural value of the frass. In nature, nothing is wasted. Plant material is eaten, transformed, digested, fermented, returned to the soil, and then becomes part of the next plant cycle. We wanted to recreate part of this logic in a controlled circular process. This was not easy. Finding the right knowledge was a real challenge, and we worked with academics from Bulgaria, Greece and the United States. After about six months of testing and learning, we had Zemja Liquid — a product that, for us, opened a new door in sustainable agriculture. Zemja Liquid is a living bioactive product. It is not sulphited, and it contains useful enzymes, microorganisms, organic compounds and a natural NPK profile. But the most important part for us is the presence of transformed chitin-derived components. Chitin is the natural material found in insects and fungi. When Zemja Liquid is applied to a plant, we are basically giving the plant a biological signal: there is decomposed insect-related material close to you. The plant activates its own defence and resilience mechanisms, improve nutrient uptake from the soil, strengthen its tissues and produce protective enzymes against insect pests. This is why we say that Zemja Liquid doesn't work like a classical chemical product. It doesn't attack from the outside. It works through the plant's own natural response. In real farm observations, when Zemja Liquid is used preventively or at an early stage, we have seen slower pest development, lower pest pressure and stronger plant condition. We are careful with this, because these effects still need deeper scientific and regulatory validation, but the practical results are very encouraging. Another important point is biodiversity. Because the product works through plant-mediated biological response, and not through external toxicity, it is not designed to harm beneficial insects such as bees. It supports the plant in becoming a less favourable host for feeding pests, instead of sterilising the environment. For the farmer, this matters because one product can support several things at the same time: plant resilience, nutrient uptake, soil biological activity and better response to both biotic and abiotic stress, including drought and high temperatures. And for the soil, the benefit is very clear: we are not killing the life in it. Actually, we are bringing back useful microorganisms, enzymes and organic biological activity. This is the circular model we believe in — agricultural by-products to be return in the field as value for the next crop life cicle. 2. CBAM is changing the cost equation for imported agricultural inputs. How does that shift create a concrete commercial opportunity for circular bio-input producers like MealProt right now? For me, CBAM is part of a bigger shift. Europe is starting to put a real cost on the carbon intensity and resource dependency behind the products we import and use. This is especially relevant for input-heavy sectors, including fertilizers and other agricultural inputs connected to energy-intensive production and long supply chains. The opportunity for circular bio-input producers is not that CBAM alone will change the market overnight. The opportunity is that farmers, distributors and policymakers are now looking much more seriously at local, lower-input and resource-efficient alternatives. MealProt fits into this shift because our model is based on local agricultural by-products and local biological processing. We are not trying to replace every existing input immediately. We are offering a different logic: use what already exists in the region, transform it through biological processes and return it to the agricultural system as value. Commercially, this creates opportunity in three ways. First, it reduces exposure to imported raw materials and volatile input prices. Second, it supports farmers who are under pressure to reduce the environmental footprint of their production. Third, it creates a new category of regional circular bio-inputs that can be aligned with the future direction of European agriculture: more resource-efficient, more resilient and less dependent on external supply chains. In short, CBAM strengthens the business case for solutions that were previously seen only as \"sustainable\". Now they are also becoming part of competitiveness and risk management. The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation. Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization. By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.",{"image":972},{"url":973,"altText":967},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002F1cd362_3938d57a2829498882fdcfc97fe7e80f~mv2.jpg\u002FIMG_0252.JPG#originWidth=4368&originHeight=2912","2026-06-14T16:32:26.581Z",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fhow-mealprot-s-zemja-liquid-turns-insect-frass-into-a-circular-bio-input-for-european-farms",[],[],[],{"_id":981,"title":982,"slug":983,"excerpt":984,"contentText":985,"featuredMedia":986,"firstPublishedDate":989,"lastPublishedDate":989,"hashtags":990,"url":991,"language":929,"memberId":992,"pinned":699,"featured":699,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":993,"categoryIds":994,"relatedPostIds":995},"9b4b3e90-5206-44e5-be69-6cce164a3adb","Apply Now: Join the EU Women in Farming Platform","apply-now-join-the-eu-women-in-farming-platform","Deadline for application: 30.04.2026 Women across Europe are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of agriculture—and now there is a concrete opportunity to be part of that transformation. The European Commission has launched the Women in Farming Platform, an initiative designed to empower, connect, and support women active in agriculture and rural areas.  If you are looking to grow your skills, expand your network, and strengthen your position in the sector, this...","Deadline for application: 30.04.2026 Women across Europe are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of agriculture—and now there is a concrete opportunity to be part of that transformation. The European Commission has launched the Women in Farming Platform, an initiative designed to empower, connect, and support women active in agriculture and rural areas.  If you are looking to grow your skills, expand your network, and strengthen your position in the sector, this platform offers a valuable pathway. The Women in Farming Platform is more than just a network. It is a structured support system aimed at fostering knowledge exchange, mentorship, and innovation among women farmers. Participants gain access to training, peer learning opportunities, and practical tools to improve farm management, sustainability practices, and business development. The initiative is part of the EU’s broader vision to make agriculture more inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking. The platform is open to women who are actively involved in agriculture or rural development across EU Member States.  This includes: Farm owners and co-owners Young and aspiring farmers Women working in family farms Entrepreneurs in agri-food or rural businesses Professionals engaged in agricultural innovation or advisory services Applicants should demonstrate a clear interest in developing their skills, contributing to their local farming communities, and participating actively in networking and learning activities. Selected participants will benefit from: Mentorship and peer-to-peer exchange with other women farmers across Europe Training sessions and workshops focused on innovation, sustainability, and business growth Access to a European network, enabling collaboration and new partnerships Visibility and recognition, helping elevate the role of women in agriculture The platform is particularly valuable for those looking to modernize their operations, adopt sustainable practices, or diversify income streams—key priorities under the EU’s agricultural strategy. To apply, candidates typically need to provide: Basic personal and professional information A description of their agricultural activity or rural involvement Motivation for joining the platform Willingness to actively participate in meetings, training, and exchanges Strong applications clearly show commitment to agriculture, openness to collaboration, and a desire to contribute to a more inclusive farming sector. Women remain underrepresented in farm ownership and leadership roles across Europe, despite their significant contribution to the agricultural workforce. Initiatives like the Women in Farming Platform aim to close this gap by providing targeted support and creating opportunities for growth and leadership. By joining the platform, participants are not only investing in their own development but also contributing to a broader transformation of European agriculture—one that values diversity, innovation, and sustainability. Opportunities like this are still relatively rare in agriculture, especially those tailored specifically to women. If you are involved in farming or rural business and want to expand your horizons, this platform is worth serious consideration. Preparing a strong application and applying on time could open the door to new knowledge, partnerships, and long-term success in the sector. The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation. Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization. By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets. *cover photo: BMLUK\u002FAleksander Haiden",{"image":987},{"url":988,"altText":982},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002Fe54875_13e5a5cddec14954bfff9860556fe224~mv2.jpg\u002F06.jpg#originWidth=600&originHeight=400","2026-04-25T20:37:16.437Z",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fapply-now-join-the-eu-women-in-farming-platform","af8843a1-fdf7-4a06-91ed-f5fad4c86c5c",[],[],[],{"_id":997,"title":998,"slug":999,"excerpt":1000,"contentText":1001,"featuredMedia":1002,"firstPublishedDate":1005,"lastPublishedDate":1005,"hashtags":1006,"url":1007,"language":929,"memberId":992,"pinned":699,"featured":699,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":1008,"categoryIds":1009,"relatedPostIds":1010},"c913d10d-e2fa-4273-9838-94016f38316a","Smart Farm Robotix named among Bulgaria’s most promising startups to watch in 2026","smart-farm-robotix-named-among-bulgaria-s-most-promising-startups-to-watch-in-2026","Bulgarian agritech startup Smart Farm Robotix  has been recognized by EU-Startups as one of the country’s 10 most promising startups to watch in 2026 and beyond, highlighting the growing international visibility of Bulgaria’s innovation ecosystem. \tIn its feature, EU-Startups placed the Sofia-based company among a new generation of local ventures building impactful technologies with strong global potential. \tFounded in 2022 , Smart Farm Robotix is developing autonomous agricultural robots...","Bulgarian agritech startup Smart Farm Robotix  has been recognized by EU-Startups as one of the country’s 10 most promising startups to watch in 2026 and beyond, highlighting the growing international visibility of Bulgaria’s innovation ecosystem. \tIn its feature, EU-Startups placed the Sofia-based company among a new generation of local ventures building impactful technologies with strong global potential. \tFounded in 2022 , Smart Farm Robotix is developing autonomous agricultural robots designed to improve weed control in a more sustainable and efficient way. Its flagship solution, RoboAiWeeder , is a fully solar-powered robot that uses AI image recognition, GPS, sensors, and smart navigation to identify and remove weeds without herbicides. According to EU-Startups, the company has already secured €2.4 million  to advance its technology and support wider adoption among farmers. \tThe startup is gaining attention for addressing some of agriculture’s biggest challenges, including rising labor costs, workforce shortages, and the need for more environmentally responsible farming practices. With its lightweight design and ability to operate in hilly or rocky terrain, RoboAiWeeder offers a practical alternative to traditional chemical and mechanical weed control, helping farmers reduce costs while supporting cleaner production methods. Smart Farm Robotix  is also part of the AgriVentures innovation community , a platform focused on accelerating agrifood and agri-tech innovation across Europe. AgriVentures supports startups, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors by improving access to funding opportunities, strengthening collaboration, and helping innovative ideas move closer to real-world adoption . \tOn its official website https:\u002F\u002Fagriventures.co\u002F , AgriVentures lists Smart Farm Robotix among its community members, describing the company as a robotics business developing autonomous, AI-driven solutions for small and medium-sized farms. \tAs agrifood innovation continues to expand across Europe, initiatives like AgriVentures play an increasingly important role in connecting startups with research institutions, investors, and farmers. Through ecosystem building, knowledge sharing, and support for commercialization, platforms like this help promising technologies such as Smart Farm Robotix scale faster and contribute to the transition toward more sustainable and resilient food systems. Learn more on: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eu-startups.com\u002F2026\u002F01\u002Fbulgarias-rising-stars-10-promising-bulgarian-startups-to-watch-in-2026-and-beyond\u002F",{"image":1003},{"url":1004,"altText":998},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002Fe54875_d7ba8e027cca490191e7531bc07bcde4~mv2.jpeg\u002Fcontrast-agriculture-methods.jpeg#originWidth=900&originHeight=514","2026-03-27T15:07:29.266Z",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fsmart-farm-robotix-named-among-bulgaria-s-most-promising-startups-to-watch-in-2026",[],[],[],{"_id":1012,"title":1013,"slug":1014,"excerpt":1015,"contentText":1016,"featuredMedia":1017,"firstPublishedDate":1020,"lastPublishedDate":1020,"hashtags":1021,"url":1022,"language":929,"memberId":930,"pinned":699,"featured":699,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":1023,"categoryIds":1024,"relatedPostIds":1025},"c0ee0b08-aba6-4ffe-b052-083a3f69b509","Agriventures Connect 2026: Sofia becomes a hub for agri-innovation and global opportunities","agriventures-connect-2026-sofia-becomes-a-hub-for-agri-innovation-and-global-opportunities","On 19 March 2026 Sofia will bring together farmers, investors, scientists and technology companies for Agriventures Connect 2026 , a conference dedicated to practical innovation in the agrifood sector. The event is designed as a meeting point for people building solutions in agriculture and those investing in the future of food systems. Due to strong interest, tickets for the event are now officially sold out . The conference will open at 16:00, with doors opening at 15:15 for registration...","On 19 March 2026 Sofia will bring together farmers, investors, scientists and technology companies for Agriventures Connect 2026 , a conference dedicated to practical innovation in the agrifood sector. The event is designed as a meeting point for people building solutions in agriculture and those investing in the future of food systems. Due to strong interest, tickets for the event are now officially sold out . The conference will open at 16:00, with doors opening at 15:15 for registration and networking. Full information about the speakers and program can be found here: Agriventures Connect 2026 event page . Agriventures is a mission-driven organisation supporting innovation in agriculture and food systems by connecting entrepreneurs, researchers, farmers and investors while helping them access funding and partnerships. Agriventures platform  supports innovators in identifying funding opportunities, building partnerships and scaling agrifood projects internationally. The opening remarks will be delivered by Boyko Takov from the Bulgarian SME Promotion Agency, highlighting the role of public institutions in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. The Agriventures team, represented by farmer Ivaylo Yankov and international projects expert Dilyana Kutsarova, will outline new opportunities for strengthening the agrifood ecosystem and improving access to capital for agricultural innovators. One of the first discussions will focus on digitalisation and emerging agri-technologies . Kaloyan Kumanov from NIK will explore trends in precision agriculture, data management and digital farm tools that can improve decision making and reduce input costs. A dedicated panel on institutional and public funding  will feature Svetlana Ormanova from the Institute for Agristrategies and Innovations, AgroHub and AgroDigiRise, Dimitar Vasilev from Innowave and Ralitsa Zhekova from RAPIV Varna. The discussion will address European innovation instruments such as EIC and EIT and how agricultural innovators can access specialised funding streams beyond traditional CAP programmes. The conference will also host a discussion with investors. Semi Hakim from Kök Projekt and Max Gurvits from Vitosha Venture Partners will share how investors evaluate agri-business opportunities, what makes a venture investment-ready and how agricultural companies can prepare for international growth. The panel will be moderated by Mariya Hristova. Practical farming experience will be at the centre of the session on sustainability and innovation for farmers , where Albina Yasinska from Bio Farm Rozino and regenerative agriculture consultant Petyo Kirov will share field-level insights on soil health, resilience and profitability. Another key discussion will focus on carbon farming and the future of agricultural sustainability . Elisabeth Lunik from Rabobank, Lyubomir Spasov from Green Diligence Netherlands and Marta Paunova, PhD researcher at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and part of Agriventures, will explore carbon measurement, soil health and emerging carbon markets that could create new income streams for farmers. The final panel will connect agriculture with nutrition science and market innovation. Zhivko Dzhamyarov from Ancestral Superfoods and Georgi Toskov from the University of Food Technologies will analyse emerging product niches linked to longevity, nutrition and the human microbiome. After the official program, participants will continue discussions during an informal networking session starting at 20:00. Nominations for the Innovative Producers Awards  are still open. Applications and nominations can be submitted here: https:\u002F\u002Fconnect.agriventures.co\u002F#awards More details about the event are available on the conference website: https:\u002F\u002Fconnect.agriventures.co\u002F Follow the livestream: The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation. Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization. By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.",{"image":1018},{"url":1019,"altText":1013},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002Fe54875_bf56a0ea42c94a45acf73988392516a9~mv2.jpg\u002FAgriventuresConnect_edited.jpg#originWidth=1024&originHeight=563","2026-03-11T09:29:59.053Z",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fagriventures-connect-2026-sofia-becomes-a-hub-for-agri-innovation-and-global-opportunities",[],[],[],1786708306195]