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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. 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ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.",[],{},{"level":569,"textStyle":619},{"textAlignment":540},{"type":112,"id":621,"nodes":622,"style":628,"headingData":629},"m0vme9159",[623],{"type":18,"id":19,"nodes":624,"textData":625},[],{"text":626,"decorations":627},"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":569,"textStyle":630},{"textAlignment":540},{"type":14,"id":632,"nodes":633,"style":634,"paragraphData":635},"7p0ov14496",[],{},{"textStyle":636},{"textAlignment":540},{"type":587,"id":638,"nodes":639,"buttonData":640},"nx55n14622",[],{"containerData":641,"type":30,"styles":645,"text":648,"link":649},{"width":642,"alignment":127,"spoiler":643,"height":644,"textWrap":4},{"size":593},{},{},{"buttonSize":597,"background":646},{"type":25,"color":647},"#1E4659","Donate for our mission",{"url":650,"target":34,"rel":651},"https:\u002F\u002Fdonate.stripe.com\u002FcNiaEW0rHadWdEa0mS4wM01",{"noreferrer":4},{"type":14,"id":653,"nodes":654,"paragraphData":655},"s51zy14716",[],{"textStyle":656},{"textAlignment":48},{},{"image":659},{"url":660,"altText":7},"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","en","1cd362a1-09ac-4de4-951b-bf76d96262ce",false,[],[],[],[671,686,702,717,732,747],{"_id":672,"title":673,"slug":674,"excerpt":675,"contentText":676,"featuredMedia":677,"firstPublishedDate":680,"lastPublishedDate":680,"hashtags":681,"url":682,"language":664,"memberId":665,"pinned":666,"featured":666,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":683,"categoryIds":684,"relatedPostIds":685},"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":678},{"url":679,"altText":673},"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":687,"title":688,"slug":689,"excerpt":690,"contentText":691,"featuredMedia":692,"firstPublishedDate":695,"lastPublishedDate":695,"hashtags":696,"url":697,"language":664,"memberId":698,"pinned":666,"featured":666,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":699,"categoryIds":700,"relatedPostIds":701},"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":693},{"url":694,"altText":688},"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":703,"title":704,"slug":705,"excerpt":706,"contentText":707,"featuredMedia":708,"firstPublishedDate":711,"lastPublishedDate":711,"hashtags":712,"url":713,"language":664,"memberId":698,"pinned":666,"featured":666,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":714,"categoryIds":715,"relatedPostIds":716},"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":709},{"url":710,"altText":704},"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":718,"title":719,"slug":720,"excerpt":721,"contentText":722,"featuredMedia":723,"firstPublishedDate":726,"lastPublishedDate":726,"hashtags":727,"url":728,"language":664,"memberId":665,"pinned":666,"featured":666,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":729,"categoryIds":730,"relatedPostIds":731},"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":724},{"url":725,"altText":719},"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",[],[],[],{"_id":733,"title":734,"slug":735,"excerpt":736,"contentText":737,"featuredMedia":738,"firstPublishedDate":741,"lastPublishedDate":741,"hashtags":742,"url":743,"language":664,"memberId":665,"pinned":666,"featured":666,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":744,"categoryIds":745,"relatedPostIds":746},"b606efc4-cb44-47b2-bb04-714fc0fe395f","ONDO and AgroDigiRise: Scaling Digital Transformation in Agriculture","ondo-and-agrodigirise-scaling-digital-transformation-in-agriculture","Digital transformation in agriculture requires technology, funding and ecosystem coordination. Through its role in the AgroDigiRise project, ONDO contributed to building a scalable model for precision agriculture adoption, directly aligned with the priorities of Agriventures: innovation, investment readiness and sustainable growth in the agrifood sector. What is AgroDigiRise • European Digital Innovation Hub initiative under AgroHub.bg • Launched in October 2022 by a consortium of 13 partners...","Digital transformation in agriculture requires technology, funding and ecosystem coordination. Through its role in the AgroDigiRise project, ONDO contributed to building a scalable model for precision agriculture adoption, directly aligned with the priorities of Agriventures: innovation, investment readiness and sustainable growth in the agrifood sector. What is AgroDigiRise • European Digital Innovation Hub initiative under AgroHub.bg • Launched in October 2022 by a consortium of 13 partners • Co-funded by the Digital Europe Programme and the European Regional Development Fund • Focused on digital and green transformation of farmers and SMEs • Services delivered free of charge Core support model • Awareness of precision agriculture technologies• Test before invest demonstrations • Digital skills training • Access to European funding instruments • Strategic planning for competitive and sustainable agribusiness This framework strongly supports the Agriventures mission to connect farmers, startups and investors around innovation and funding opportunities. ONDO’s Role in the Project As one of the three technology partners alongside Technologica and Bevine, ONDO was responsible for building and equipping demonstration infrastructure in South Central Bulgaria. Implementation highlights • 11 demonstration points equipped with ONDO automation • 3 scientific research centers • 8 farm-based demo sites • 2 greenhouse farms• 6 open field farms • Crops including vegetables, orchards, vineyards and nuts Technology integration • Automated irrigation systems • Precise fertigation control • Climate control solutions • Modernization of irrigation infrastructure at the National Demo Center IZK Maritsa The objective was practical validation of precision farming technologies under real production conditions. Knowledge Transfer and Ecosystem Engagement Over 39 months, ONDO delivered measurable outreach and training impact: • 6 technology webinars focused on precision farming automation • 3 specialized trainings on crop technologies and agromarketing • 25+ live demonstration events• Hundreds of participating farmers, institutions and international delegations Impact beyond numbers: • Increased confidence in digital agriculture adoption • Measurable reduction in water and input costs • Improved operational efficiency • Higher investment readiness for farms • Stronger collaboration between public institutions and private technology providers For Agriventures, such models strengthen access to funding opportunities and accelerate innovation uptake in the agrifood ecosystem. Strategic Relevance for Agriventures AgroDigiRise supports key strategic themes: • Digitalization and precision agriculture • Access to European funding instruments such as EIC and EIT • Practical innovation validation through demo networks • Public-private collaboration• Scalable agritech solutions By improving farm-level efficiency and sustainability, projects like AgroDigiRise increase competitiveness and attract both public and private investment. AgroDigiRise 2.0: Next Phase Starting 2026 The project continues for another three years starting February 2026. Focus areas for AgroDigiRise 2.0 • Continued demonstration activities• Expanded training programs• Integration of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture• Data-driven decision support systems• Climate resilience and sustainability tools Participation in events will remain free of charge for farmers, SMEs and public institutions, subject to registration requirements. Why This Model Works AgroDigiRise demonstrates that successful digital transformation requires: • Structured funding mechanisms • Demonstration infrastructure • Technology validation under real conditions • Skills development • Ecosystem coordination ONDO’s contribution shows how technology providers can become ecosystem enablers, accelerating precision agriculture adoption and strengthening the agrifood innovation landscape supported by Agriventures. ONDO is an active member of the Agriventures ecosystem and a key example of how our network drives real digital transformation in agriculture. Through its leadership in precision irrigation, fertigation automation and climate control systems, ONDO demonstrates how agritech innovation can move from pilot stage to large-scale adoption. Its role in AgroDigiRise and collaboration within AgroHub.bg  reflects exactly the direction Agriventures supports: building a digitally enabled agrifood ecosystem where farmers, startups, research centers and investors operate on data, automation and measurable impact. To explore how our ecosystem is evolving toward full digital integration, smart farming infrastructure and AI-driven solutions, visit the AgroHub  webpage and follow the ongoing initiatives shaping the future of agriculture.",{"image":739},{"url":740,"altText":734},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002F1cd362_5a5dfdff806b4701ae80ab9ef88e3aa1~mv2.png\u002Fimage.png#originWidth=1200&originHeight=628","2026-03-03T20:04:35.563Z",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fondo-and-agrodigirise-scaling-digital-transformation-in-agriculture",[],[],[],{"_id":748,"title":749,"slug":750,"excerpt":751,"contentText":752,"featuredMedia":753,"firstPublishedDate":756,"lastPublishedDate":757,"hashtags":758,"url":759,"language":664,"memberId":665,"pinned":666,"featured":666,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":760,"categoryIds":761,"relatedPostIds":762},"bb85b223-bfce-4c19-a896-a640c369ef61","The Good Club and New Horizons Bulgaria: Turning Employee Benefits into Measurable Impact","the-good-club-and-new-horizons-bulgaria-turning-employee-benefits-into-measurable-impact","The Good Club  and New Horizons Bulgaria: Turning Employee Benefits into Measurable Impact Agriventures member company The Good Club, in partnership with New Horizons Bulgaria, has demonstrated how a traditional employee benefit can be transformed into a strategic ESG instrument with measurable impact on local food systems. Food vouchers are typically directed toward large retail chains, where only a small share of the final product price reaches primary producers. In many cases, farmers...","The Good Club  and New Horizons Bulgaria: Turning Employee Benefits into Measurable Impact Agriventures member company The Good Club, in partnership with New Horizons Bulgaria, has demonstrated how a traditional employee benefit can be transformed into a strategic ESG instrument with measurable impact on local food systems. Food vouchers are typically directed toward large retail chains, where only a small share of the final product price reaches primary producers. In many cases, farmers receive roughly a quarter of the consumer price, while the majority remains within retail and distribution structures. With strategic support from Agriventures in identifying market opportunities and refining its sustainability assessment methodology, The Good Club developed an alternative model that redirects corporate food voucher budgets directly toward local, sustainability-assessed producers. Within this structure, between 90 and 95 percent of the value flows directly to farmers and food producers. The pilot implementation with New Horizons Bulgaria produced concrete results within its first month. A total of €1,146.02 was invested directly into sustainable food systems. Nine local producers were supported, each assessed under defined sustainability criteria. Employees placed 46 orders from a curated portfolio of more than 150 locally sourced products. Participation reached 100 percent, demonstrating both operational feasibility and strong internal engagement. Beyond the financial metrics, the impact is structural. The supported producers apply practices that contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved animal welfare standards, responsible water management, biodiversity protection, fair trading relationships, and decent working conditions. The sustainability methodology, strengthened through collaboration with Agriventures, ensures that impact is measurable, transparent, and embedded in procurement decisions rather than treated as a marketing claim. This initiative illustrates how ESG principles can be integrated into everyday corporate operations. Instead of positioning sustainability as a separate initiative or corporate social responsibility activity, New Horizons embedded impact directly into an existing budget line: employee benefits. By doing so, the company aligned employee wellbeing with support for resilient local supply chains and measurable environmental and social outcomes. Agriventures contributed to this success by supporting The Good Club in opportunity mapping, refining its sustainability framework, strengthening ecosystem partnerships, and positioning the model within a broader strategy for food system transformation. As an organization dedicated to advancing innovation in agrifood and biotechnology, Agriventures focuses on enabling scalable, market-based solutions that create economic and societal value. The collaboration between The Good Club, New Horizons Bulgaria, Agriventures , and FOODITY demonstrates that systemic change in food systems does not necessarily require new funding streams. It can begin with the strategic redesign of existing financial flows. By transforming routine corporate spending into targeted support for local sustainable producers, this model offers a practical pathway for companies seeking to move from ESG commitments to measurable implementation. The Good Club is currently utilizing the Tailored Plan on the Agriventures platform ( https:\u002F\u002Fagriventures.co\u002F ), where the team receives structured consultation, strategic guidance, and access to curated funding information relevant to their stage of development. Through this support, the company continues to strengthen its methodology, expand partnership opportunities, and prepare for scalable growth. The Good Club’s experience confirms that when sustainability is embedded into daily business decisions, impact becomes not an aspiration, but an operational reality.",{"image":754},{"url":755,"altText":749},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002F11062b_f91816add8f34d2fadb5361ac5df097a~mv2.jpg\u002FVegetable%20Stand.jpg#originWidth=4800&originHeight=3204","2026-02-17T12:18:03.171Z","2026-02-17T12:38:18.292Z",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fthe-good-club-and-new-horizons-bulgaria-turning-employee-benefits-into-measurable-impact",[],[],[],1781461342736]