[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":630},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fyybmxo89aVYZlfW6P0dQjuOc3MDlQ7wvEdaxlaWJ0Hg":3},{"success":4,"update":5,"relatedUpdates":491},true,{"_id":6,"title":7,"slug":8,"excerpt":9,"contentText":10,"richContent":11,"featuredMedia":454,"firstPublishedDate":457,"lastPublishedDate":457,"hashtags":458,"tags":459,"url":484,"language":485,"memberId":486,"pinned":487,"featured":487,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":488,"categoryIds":489,"relatedPostIds":490},"9e5b230b-ddf6-4459-bf84-5f1a1ceaad81","Funding US Opportunities in Agriculture: Where Farmers Can Find Support in 2026","funding-us-opportunities-in-agriculture-where-farmers-can-find-support-in-2026","One question we hear constantly from the Agriventures team's conversations with growers and ranchers is simple: where's the money? Between rising input costs, equipment upgrades, and the push toward more sustainable practices, funding can make the difference between a plan on paper and a plan in the ground. The good news is that 2026 brings a substantial pool of federal, state, and private funding for agriculture — Congress has set the USDA's budget at $26.65 billion for the fiscal year, and...","One question we hear constantly from the Agriventures team's conversations with growers and ranchers is simple: where's the money? Between rising input costs, equipment upgrades, and the push toward more sustainable practices, funding can make the difference between a plan on paper and a plan in the ground. The good news is that 2026 brings a substantial pool of federal, state, and private funding for agriculture — Congress has set the USDA's budget at $26.65 billion for the fiscal year, and billions more remain available through the Inflation Reduction Act's conservation funding, which runs through 2031. Here's our team's breakdown of where to look and how to position yourself for success. Start With FSA Loans The Farm Service Agency (FSA) remains the most direct path to capital for producers who can't secure commercial credit. FSA offers direct and guaranteed Farm Ownership and Operating Loans that can be used to buy land, cover equipment and supplies, or make farm improvements. For smaller or newer operations, the FSA Microloan program offers up to $50,000 with a faster, simpler application process — ideal for seasonal needs or testing a new enterprise before scaling up. If you're a beginning farmer, rancher, or fall into a minority or women-owned category, the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Down Payment Loan is worth a close look. It finances the purchase of a farm with as little as a 5% down payment, up to a loan limit of $300,150, at a current interest rate of 3.50%. To qualify as a \"beginning farmer\" under USDA rules, you generally need less than 10 years of farm operating history and substantial participation in the operation. Conservation and Cost-Share Programs The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is the workhorse of USDA conservation funding and one of the most practical entry points for producers of any size. Administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), EQIP reimburses a share of the cost of approved conservation practices — cover cropping, irrigation efficiency, fencing, waste management, and more — after the work is verified. FY 2026 funding sits at roughly $3.45 billion nationally, with individual contracts typically ranging from $25,000 to $150,000. The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) works alongside EQIP for producers looking to expand existing conservation efforts rather than start new ones. Both programs are administered locally, so your county NRCS office is the best starting point for current sign-up periods. Renewable Energy and Efficiency (REAP) For operations looking to cut energy costs or add solar, wind, or efficiency upgrades, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers grants covering up to 25% of eligible project costs — up to $500,000 for renewable energy systems and $250,000 for efficiency improvements. REAP also pairs grant funding with loan guarantees, making it one of the more flexible tools for producers investing in on-farm energy infrastructure. Value-Added and Marketing Grants If your goal is to move beyond raw commodity sales — think processing, branding, or direct-to-consumer marketing — the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) and Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) are designed for exactly that. A word of caution from our team: both programs run on tight annual windows, and the FY 2026 federal application periods for VAPG (closed April 22) and SCBGP (closed June 8) have already passed. That doesn't mean the door is shut — state departments of agriculture administer SCBGP funds regionally and often run their own timelines, so it's worth checking with your state ag department directly. For VAPG, mark your calendar to start preparing materials well before the program's typical winter-to-spring application window reopens for the next cycle. Support for Beginning Farmers The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) doesn't fund on-farm projects directly — instead, it funds the training, mentorship, and technical assistance organizations that support new farmers. If you're early in your farming career, look for BFRDP-funded programs in your region; they're often a free or low-cost way to get expert guidance on everything from business planning to conservation practices before you apply for other funding. Don't Overlook State and Private Sources Every state agriculture department runs its own grant programs, often layered on top of federal dollars — Washington, Vermont, Minnesota, and California all publish their own specialty crop and conservation grant cycles, for example. Local Farm Credit associations, regional foundations, and commodity checkoff programs are also worth a call. These sources tend to be less competitive than national programs simply because fewer producers know to look for them. Our Team's Advice on Applying A few things we consistently tell growers preparing applications: apply early, since many programs fund on a rolling or first-come basis until money runs out; talk to your local NRCS or FSA office before you apply, since staff can flag eligibility issues before they become rejections; and keep basic records (soil tests, financial statements, conservation plans) current, since most applications ask for documentation you don't want to be scrambling for at the deadline. USDA has also flagged 2026 as a year of system modernization, with new AI-assisted tools rolling out to speed up loan and grant processing — worth watching if you've found the paperwork burdensome in past cycles. Funding rarely finds you — but a little research and the right application timed to the right program can cover a meaningful share of your next project. As always, the Agriventures team is here to help you think through which opportunities fit your operation. Sources: Grants and Loans | USDA Farm Ownership Loans | Farm Service Agency Specialty Crop Block Grant Program FY26 NOFO | USDA AMS Value-Added Producer Grants | USDA Rural Development USDA Announces Loan Modernization Effort Funding Opportunities | National Institute of Food and 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.",{"nodes":12,"documentStyle":453},[13,21,34,44,54,64,74,84,94,104,114,124,134,144,154,164,174,184,194,204,214,326,332,338,352,364,380,400,405,416,427,433,448],{"type":14,"id":15,"nodes":16,"style":17,"paragraphData":18},"PARAGRAPH","4nsv39260",[],{},{"textStyle":19},{"textAlignment":20},"JUSTIFY",{"type":14,"id":22,"nodes":23,"paragraphData":31},"xniht2918",[24],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":27,"textData":28},"TEXT","",[],{"text":29,"decorations":30},"One question we hear constantly from the Agriventures team's conversations with growers and ranchers is simple: where's the money? Between rising input costs, equipment upgrades, and the push toward more sustainable practices, funding can make the difference between a plan on paper and a plan in the ground. The good news is that 2026 brings a substantial pool of federal, state, and private funding for agriculture — Congress has set the USDA's budget at $26.65 billion for the fiscal year, and billions more remain available through the Inflation Reduction Act's conservation funding, which runs through 2031. Here's our team's breakdown of where to look and how to position yourself for success.",[],{"textStyle":32},{"textAlignment":33},"AUTO",{"type":14,"id":35,"nodes":36,"paragraphData":42},"hhltl2920",[37],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":38,"textData":39},[],{"text":40,"decorations":41},"Start With FSA Loans",[],{"textStyle":43},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":45,"nodes":46,"paragraphData":52},"5u8nh2922",[47],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":48,"textData":49},[],{"text":50,"decorations":51},"The Farm Service Agency (FSA) remains the most direct path to capital for producers who can't secure commercial credit. FSA offers direct and guaranteed Farm Ownership and Operating Loans that can be used to buy land, cover equipment and supplies, or make farm improvements. For smaller or newer operations, the FSA Microloan program offers up to $50,000 with a faster, simpler application process — ideal for seasonal needs or testing a new enterprise before scaling up.",[],{"textStyle":53},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":55,"nodes":56,"paragraphData":62},"1b0vd2924",[57],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":58,"textData":59},[],{"text":60,"decorations":61},"If you're a beginning farmer, rancher, or fall into a minority or women-owned category, the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Down Payment Loan is worth a close look. It finances the purchase of a farm with as little as a 5% down payment, up to a loan limit of $300,150, at a current interest rate of 3.50%. To qualify as a \"beginning farmer\" under USDA rules, you generally need less than 10 years of farm operating history and substantial participation in the operation.",[],{"textStyle":63},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":65,"nodes":66,"paragraphData":72},"e6pds2926",[67],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":68,"textData":69},[],{"text":70,"decorations":71},"Conservation and Cost-Share Programs",[],{"textStyle":73},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":75,"nodes":76,"paragraphData":82},"dmgap2928",[77],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":78,"textData":79},[],{"text":80,"decorations":81},"The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is the workhorse of USDA conservation funding and one of the most practical entry points for producers of any size. Administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), EQIP reimburses a share of the cost of approved conservation practices — cover cropping, irrigation efficiency, fencing, waste management, and more — after the work is verified. FY 2026 funding sits at roughly $3.45 billion nationally, with individual contracts typically ranging from $25,000 to $150,000. The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) works alongside EQIP for producers looking to expand existing conservation efforts rather than start new ones. Both programs are administered locally, so your county NRCS office is the best starting point for current sign-up periods.",[],{"textStyle":83},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":85,"nodes":86,"paragraphData":92},"jf3c52930",[87],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":88,"textData":89},[],{"text":90,"decorations":91},"Renewable Energy and Efficiency (REAP)",[],{"textStyle":93},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":95,"nodes":96,"paragraphData":102},"nvziw2932",[97],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":98,"textData":99},[],{"text":100,"decorations":101},"For operations looking to cut energy costs or add solar, wind, or efficiency upgrades, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers grants covering up to 25% of eligible project costs — up to $500,000 for renewable energy systems and $250,000 for efficiency improvements. REAP also pairs grant funding with loan guarantees, making it one of the more flexible tools for producers investing in on-farm energy infrastructure.",[],{"textStyle":103},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":105,"nodes":106,"paragraphData":112},"0idbn2934",[107],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":108,"textData":109},[],{"text":110,"decorations":111},"Value-Added and Marketing Grants",[],{"textStyle":113},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":115,"nodes":116,"paragraphData":122},"huwuk2936",[117],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":118,"textData":119},[],{"text":120,"decorations":121},"If your goal is to move beyond raw commodity sales — think processing, branding, or direct-to-consumer marketing — the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) and Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) are designed for exactly that. A word of caution from our team: both programs run on tight annual windows, and the FY 2026 federal application periods for VAPG (closed April 22) and SCBGP (closed June 8) have already passed. That doesn't mean the door is shut — state departments of agriculture administer SCBGP funds regionally and often run their own timelines, so it's worth checking with your state ag department directly. For VAPG, mark your calendar to start preparing materials well before the program's typical winter-to-spring application window reopens for the next cycle.",[],{"textStyle":123},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":125,"nodes":126,"paragraphData":132},"olg7d2938",[127],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":128,"textData":129},[],{"text":130,"decorations":131},"Support for Beginning Farmers",[],{"textStyle":133},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":135,"nodes":136,"paragraphData":142},"pl9di2940",[137],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":138,"textData":139},[],{"text":140,"decorations":141},"The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) doesn't fund on-farm projects directly — instead, it funds the training, mentorship, and technical assistance organizations that support new farmers. If you're early in your farming career, look for BFRDP-funded programs in your region; they're often a free or low-cost way to get expert guidance on everything from business planning to conservation practices before you apply for other funding.",[],{"textStyle":143},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":145,"nodes":146,"paragraphData":152},"wsj0v2942",[147],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":148,"textData":149},[],{"text":150,"decorations":151},"Don't Overlook State and Private Sources",[],{"textStyle":153},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":155,"nodes":156,"paragraphData":162},"dhvdv2944",[157],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":158,"textData":159},[],{"text":160,"decorations":161},"Every state agriculture department runs its own grant programs, often layered on top of federal dollars — Washington, Vermont, Minnesota, and California all publish their own specialty crop and conservation grant cycles, for example. Local Farm Credit associations, regional foundations, and commodity checkoff programs are also worth a call. These sources tend to be less competitive than national programs simply because fewer producers know to look for them.",[],{"textStyle":163},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":165,"nodes":166,"paragraphData":172},"9y90c2946",[167],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":168,"textData":169},[],{"text":170,"decorations":171},"Our Team's Advice on Applying",[],{"textStyle":173},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":175,"nodes":176,"paragraphData":182},"3pae02948",[177],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":178,"textData":179},[],{"text":180,"decorations":181},"A few things we consistently tell growers preparing applications: apply early, since many programs fund on a rolling or first-come basis until money runs out; talk to your local NRCS or FSA office before you apply, since staff can flag eligibility issues before they become rejections; and keep basic records (soil tests, financial statements, conservation plans) current, since most applications ask for documentation you don't want to be scrambling for at the deadline.",[],{"textStyle":183},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":185,"nodes":186,"paragraphData":192},"fn6vb2950",[187],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":188,"textData":189},[],{"text":190,"decorations":191},"USDA has also flagged 2026 as a year of system modernization, with new AI-assisted tools rolling out to speed up loan and grant processing — worth watching if you've found the paperwork burdensome in past cycles.",[],{"textStyle":193},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":195,"nodes":196,"paragraphData":202},"zrxvy2952",[197],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":198,"textData":199},[],{"text":200,"decorations":201},"Funding rarely finds you — but a little research and the right application timed to the right program can cover a meaningful share of your next project. As always, the Agriventures team is here to help you think through which opportunities fit your operation.",[],{"textStyle":203},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":14,"id":205,"nodes":206,"paragraphData":212},"7fqe82954",[207],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":208,"textData":209},[],{"text":210,"decorations":211},"Sources:",[],{"textStyle":213},{"textAlignment":33},{"type":215,"id":216,"nodes":217,"bulletedListData":324},"BULLETED_LIST","cplr32956",[218,239,256,273,290,307],{"type":219,"id":220,"nodes":221},"LIST_ITEM","18gyr2957",[222],{"type":14,"id":223,"nodes":224,"paragraphData":238},"ns4r12958",[225],{"type":25,"id":26,"nodes":226,"textData":227},[],{"text":228,"decorations":229},"Grants and Loans | 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The project is funded under the \"Scientific Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation\" Programme 2021–2027, with a total budget exceeding €11.8 million. The new center will create modern scientific infrastructure designed to meet the...","A symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for the Center of Competence \"Agri-Food Systems and Bioeconomy\" took place in the courtyard of the University of Food Technologies (UHT) — and we're proud that UHT is one of Agriventures' members. The project is funded under the \"Scientific Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation\" Programme 2021–2027, with a total budget exceeding €11.8 million. The new center will create modern scientific infrastructure designed to meet the challenges facing today's society: sustainable food production, conservation of natural resources, development of the bioeconomy, and the creation of high-value-added innovations. The center brings together the University of Food Technologies as lead partner, along with the Agricultural University, the Agricultural Academy, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, the Medical University – Plovdiv, institutes of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and a number of other scientific and innovation partners. It is conceived as a modern, multidisciplinary scientific complex with research infrastructure spanning agroecology, plant health, precision breeding, and food safety — built to deliver sustainable solutions across the agri-food chain, from bioresource production to the creation of high-quality, safe, and healthy food products with high added value. The Research Complex, focused on \"Food and Health,\" aims to become a modern hub for innovation, research, and development in food science and biotechnology. The complex will house chemical, microbiological, and molecular biology laboratories, a pilot technology section, and a sensory laboratory — enabling high-tech research, the development of innovative foods and beverages, and the creation of products with proven quality and health benefits. The project is expected to result in the Center of Competence functioning as an active incubator for startups. Plans include building a network of mentors — leaders from the real business sector — who will help innovators navigate the path from research to successful market entry. The center will also serve as a platform connecting science with venture capital funds, private investors, and various European and international programs. Congratulations to UHT and all project partners — we wish them every success in building this important scientific complex for the agri-food sector! See more on our initiatives: check out the True Foods project at projects.agriventures.co. 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":499},{"url":500,"altText":494},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002F1cd362_d3688ab69dd8432893ba703cd2bd6e8d~mv2.jpg#originWidth=1024&originHeight=683","2026-07-21T11:32:23.492Z",[],[504,505,506],{"_id":473,"label":474,"slug":475},{"_id":477,"label":478,"slug":479},{"_id":507,"label":508,"slug":509},"b759c01d-1f8c-4d93-993b-c82e8285d11d","Agriventures updates","agriventures-updates","https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Four-member-uht-breaks-ground-on-11-8-million-center-of-competence-for-agri-food-systems-and-bioecon",[],[],[],{"_id":515,"title":516,"slug":517,"excerpt":518,"contentText":519,"featuredMedia":520,"firstPublishedDate":523,"lastPublishedDate":523,"hashtags":524,"tags":525,"url":545,"language":485,"memberId":486,"pinned":487,"featured":487,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":546,"categoryIds":547,"relatedPostIds":548},"e1ddb85a-69e4-43dc-a917-8b9fc09b942d","Sofia Is Calling: Why Agriventures Connect 3.0 Is the Stage International Agri-Food Innovators Can't Afford to Miss","sofia-is-calling-why-agriventures-connect-3-0-is-the-stage-international-agri-food-innovators-can-t","20 April 2027 | Sofia, Bulgaria Central and Eastern Europe has quietly become one of the most interesting growth stories in agriculture, food, and technology — and on 20 April 2027, that story gets its biggest stage yet. Agriventures Connect 3.0 opens in Sofia, and early access is now live for sponsors, speakers, and partners who want in before the room fills up. A Track Record Worth Building On Connect 2.0 wasn't a pilot — it was proof. Over 200 participants from 15 countries filled the room...","20 April 2027 | Sofia, Bulgaria Central and Eastern Europe has quietly become one of the most interesting growth stories in agriculture, food, and technology — and on 20 April 2027, that story gets its biggest stage yet. Agriventures Connect 3.0 opens in Sofia, and early access is now live for sponsors, speakers, and partners who want in before the room fills up. A Track Record Worth Building On Connect 2.0 wasn't a pilot — it was proof. Over 200 participants from 15 countries filled the room in 2026, alongside 30+ speakers and 7 award categories recognizing the sharpest innovation in the region's agri-food sector. The event didn't just draw a crowd; it drew coverage, with outlets including Capital.bg, ESGnews.bg, Agro.bg, and business.dir.bg reporting on Sofia's emergence as a hub for agri-innovation and international opportunity. More telling than the numbers is what participants said afterward. Teodora of The Good Club credited Agriventures with the funding and contacts to grow her sustainable venture. Rossen Dimitrov of SmartFarm Robotix pointed to the connections made on-site as the reason his team could scale its solution. Martin Nedev of Enthela put it simply: \"Every opportunity is available when there is connectivity.\" That connectivity — between farmers, investors, innovators, and institutions — is the entire premise of Agriventures, and it's why the community keeps coming back. Why 2027 Is the Year to Go International Connect 3.0 is being built to extend that momentum well beyond Bulgaria's borders. The goal for this edition is explicit: a genuinely international guest list, with speakers, sponsors, and partners drawn from across Europe and beyond, meeting a regional audience that is actively investing, innovating, and looking for outside expertise. For an international company, that's a rare combination — a fast-growing market with comparatively little competition for attention, at a moment when CEE agriculture is under real pressure to modernize, decarbonize, and access new capital. If your organization works in agtech, foodtech, sustainability, or agricultural finance, Sofia in April 2027 is where your next customer, portfolio company, or media hit is likely to come from. Three Ways to Be Part of It Sponsors get early-bird packages with priority selection and up to 30% off standard pricing, plus a personal consultation with the Agriventures team to shape a package around specific goals — brand visibility, lead generation, or direct access to the farmer and investor community in the room. Speakers can apply now for a main-stage or thematic-session slot, with access to the full Agriventures network before, during, and after the event, plus PR and media coverage through the same press channels that covered Connect 2.0. Partners join a platform that already connects farmers, investors, innovators, and institutions across 15+ countries — with the infrastructure, community, and credibility to make a partnership mean something beyond a logo on a slide. The Window Is Open Now Early access exists precisely because demand outpaces the room. Sponsors who commit early get first choice of package and the best terms; speakers who apply early get first claim on stage time; attendees who register early lock in pricing before public release. None of that gets easier by waiting. Agriventures Connect 3.0 takes place 20 April 2027 in Sofia, Bulgaria. To become a sponsor, apply to speak, or explore a partnership, visit connect.agriventures.co. 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":521},{"url":522,"altText":516},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002Fe54875_dd97165cc51f4047880c92c49a1f571e~mv2.jpg#originWidth=3333&originHeight=5000","2026-07-21T10:37:21.823Z",[],[526,527,528,529,530,531,532,536,540,541],{"_id":507,"label":508,"slug":509},{"_id":469,"label":470,"slug":471},{"_id":461,"label":462,"slug":463},{"_id":465,"label":466,"slug":467},{"_id":473,"label":474,"slug":475},{"_id":477,"label":478,"slug":479},{"_id":533,"label":534,"slug":535},"f9f2e1a0-44fd-4c5b-a217-b40339fe390e","Our Focus","our-focus",{"_id":537,"label":538,"slug":539},"7a0b69d8-2238-4b96-b124-894fb4fa6a61","Sustainable & Circular Agrifood","sustainable-circular-agrifood",{"_id":481,"label":482,"slug":483},{"_id":542,"label":543,"slug":544},"4df0061f-1f9e-4f0d-8498-4ac293a4fd16","Events","events","https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fsofia-is-calling-why-agriventures-connect-3-0-is-the-stage-international-agri-food-innovators-can-t",[],[],[],{"_id":550,"title":551,"slug":552,"excerpt":553,"contentText":554,"featuredMedia":555,"firstPublishedDate":558,"lastPublishedDate":558,"hashtags":559,"tags":560,"url":565,"language":485,"memberId":486,"pinned":487,"featured":487,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":566,"categoryIds":567,"relatedPostIds":568},"92c33cbe-a2ae-4398-9cf1-652873af5300","Introducing AgriVentures Projects: A New Home for Our Innovation Portfolio","introducing-agriventures-projects-a-new-home-for-our-innovation-portfolio","We're excited to announce the launch of AgriVentures Projects — a dedicated space where you can follow the EU-funded initiatives, partnerships, and field pilots that AgriVentures is driving across the agrifood sector. Until now, our work on individual projects lived scattered across updates and case studies. Projects brings it all together in one portfolio, so startups, farmers, researchers, and partners can see exactly how AgriVentures turns funding into real-world impact. What you'll find...","We're excited to announce the launch of AgriVentures Projects — a dedicated space where you can follow the EU-funded initiatives, partnerships, and field pilots that AgriVentures is driving across the agrifood sector. Until now, our work on individual projects lived scattered across updates and case studies. Projects brings it all together in one portfolio, so startups, farmers, researchers, and partners can see exactly how AgriVentures turns funding into real-world impact. What you'll find there A live project portfolio. Projects currently showcases six active and completed initiatives spanning the issues shaping European agriculture today: Agrodigirise — digital farming, co-financed under the EU's Digital Europe Programme Sysarm — farmer training, supported through Erasmus+ Circular Voices — circular economy storytelling, backed by the CFS Network and the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Safe-Agri — a security assessment framework for agrifood innovation, EU co-funded TrueFoods — post-harvest sustainability, equity, and resilience work spanning eight countries Foodity SEBP — a sustainable employee benefits platform for responsible consumption Each project page details its funding source, focus area, and status, so you can quickly see who's behind it and where it stands. Our innovation model, laid out clearly. Projects also explains how AgriVentures moves ideas from concept to field validation, in three stages: Discovery, where we screen teams and define pilot scope; Funding & Mentoring, where cascade funding and expert guidance kick in; and Living Lab Pilot, where solutions get tested on real farms with measurable results. A growing ecosystem map. The new Living Labs section maps the farms, members, and partners that make up the AgriVentures network — a resource that will keep expanding as more members join. The latest from our community. A live feed pulls in our most recent LinkedIn updates, so you can catch member spotlights, policy briefs, and event highlights without leaving the page. Why we built this Agrifood innovation moves fast, and funding stories are easy to lose track of. AgriVentures Projects gives our community — and anyone evaluating what we do — a transparent, up-to-date view of the initiatives we're running and the outcomes they're producing. It's also where we'll spotlight new EU programmes and partnerships as they launch. Explore it now Visit projects.agriventures.co to browse the full portfolio, see how our funding-to-pilot process works, and explore the growing Living Lab ecosystem map. Have a project or partnership you'd like to discuss? Get in touch — we're always looking for the next idea worth funding. 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":556},{"url":557,"altText":551},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002F1cd362_f693046f50064ce2970675daede29b2c~mv2.jpg#originWidth=1024&originHeight=1537","2026-07-21T10:20:00.456Z",[],[561,562,563,564],{"_id":507,"label":508,"slug":509},{"_id":477,"label":478,"slug":479},{"_id":465,"label":466,"slug":467},{"_id":461,"label":462,"slug":463},"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fintroducing-agriventures-projects-a-new-home-for-our-innovation-portfolio",[],[],[],{"_id":570,"title":571,"slug":572,"excerpt":573,"contentText":574,"featuredMedia":575,"firstPublishedDate":578,"lastPublishedDate":578,"hashtags":579,"tags":580,"url":584,"language":485,"memberId":585,"pinned":487,"featured":487,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":586,"categoryIds":587,"relatedPostIds":588},"ab11000e-1455-4ca2-b377-da6951948e35","SAFE-AGRI Workshop Brings Together Stakeholders to Shape Responsible Innovation in the Agri-Food Sector","safe-agri-workshop-brings-together-stakeholders-to-shape-responsible-innovation-in-the-agri-food-sec","Co-creation Workshop: \"Security and Innovation in Agri-Food Technologies: Digitalisation, Automation, Data Management and Security Assessment\" Following the successful launch of the SAFE-AGRI project, Agriventures has taken another important step towards advancing responsible innovation in the agri-food sector by delivering its first stakeholder co-creation workshop on July 6. The event brought together more than 15 participants representing academia, research organisations, technology...","Co-creation Workshop: \"Security and Innovation in Agri-Food Technologies: Digitalisation, Automation, Data Management and Security Assessment\" Following the successful launch of the SAFE-AGRI project, Agriventures has taken another important step towards advancing responsible innovation in the agri-food sector by delivering its first stakeholder co-creation workshop on July 6. The event brought together more than 15 participants representing academia, research organisations, technology providers, agricultural businesses, industry associations, innovation experts and other key stakeholders. The workshop created a collaborative environment for knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary dialogue and forward-looking discussions on the future of digital and hardware technologies in agriculture. The programme combined expert presentations with an interactive foresight and co-creation session designed under the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI). Participants explored the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, autonomous agricultural systems, smart sensors, cloud-based infrastructures, data governance, cybersecurity and technologies with dual-use potential. The practical part of the workshop focused on three foresight scenarios, each presenting a plausible challenge for the agri-food sector in the coming decades. Working in multidisciplinary groups, participants analysed potential risks, identified vulnerabilities, reflected on ethical and societal implications, and proposed practical mitigation measures. The discussions addressed key topics such as operational resilience, food security, cybersecurity, critical digital infrastructures, data sovereignty, technological dependencies and the responsible governance of innovative technologies. The scenario-based methodology encouraged participants to examine complex issues from multiple perspectives while applying the ORRI framework of anticipation, inclusion, reflexivity and responsiveness. Through collaborative analysis and prioritisation of proposed measures, the workshop generated valuable insights that will directly contribute the project's forthcoming activities. Beyond the technical discussions, the workshop also provided an excellent opportunity for participants from different sectors to establish new connections, exchange experiences and strengthen collaboration across the innovation ecosystem. The networking session highlighted the importance of cross-sector dialogue in addressing emerging technological and societal challenges affecting the future of agriculture. The outcomes of the workshop reaffirm the value of participatory approaches in shaping resilient, secure and responsible innovation. By actively engaging diverse stakeholder communities, SAFE-AGRI continues to build a strong foundation for developing practical guidance that supports the safe adoption of advanced digital and hardware technologies across the European agri-food sector. As the project progresses, the knowledge and recommendations generated during this workshop will inform the next stages of the SAFE-AGRI initiative, contributing to evidence-based policy recommendations, practical tools and collaborative solutions that promote trustworthy, sustainable and secure technological innovation in agriculture. Want to learn more about the SAFE-AGRI initiative? Read our previous article about the project's official launch here: https:\u002F\u002Fagriventures.co\u002Fupdates\u002Fsafe-agri-initiative-officially-kicks-off Explore funding opportunities matched to your innovation, or get in touch with our team to discuss how AgriVentures can support your next step. 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. Safe-Agri is funded within the framework of the REINFORCING project. REINFORCING has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101094687. The project is supported by the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, the REA, or the REINFORCING consortium. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.",{"image":576},{"url":577,"altText":571},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002Fe54875_882b6fd55c1b4941a99b407d23e88f8a~mv2.png\u002FIMG_7795.HEIC#originWidth=4032&originHeight=3024","2026-07-09T07:58:44.787Z",[],[581,582,583],{"_id":477,"label":478,"slug":479},{"_id":507,"label":508,"slug":509},{"_id":469,"label":470,"slug":471},"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fsafe-agri-workshop-brings-together-stakeholders-to-shape-responsible-innovation-in-the-agri-food-sec","af8843a1-fdf7-4a06-91ed-f5fad4c86c5c",[],[],[],{"_id":590,"title":591,"slug":592,"excerpt":593,"contentText":594,"featuredMedia":595,"firstPublishedDate":598,"lastPublishedDate":598,"hashtags":599,"tags":600,"url":605,"language":485,"memberId":606,"pinned":487,"featured":487,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":607,"categoryIds":608,"relatedPostIds":609},"915db5f4-aea2-4304-8e7c-27e8167061c0","Agriventures member spotlight: The Good Club achieves a major milestone with its ESG impact reporting methodology ","agriventures-member-spotlight-the-good-club-achieves-a-major-milestone-with-its-esg-impact-reportin","We are proud to celebrate an important achievement by our member The Good Club, which has successfully validated the methodology behind its ESG Impact Reporting through an independent assessment by Bureau Veritas. This milestone marks an important step in transforming an innovative concept into a trusted solution that businesses can confidently adopt. From Innovation to Market-Ready Solution Building a new product requires more than a great idea. It takes continuous testing, validation,...","We are proud to celebrate an important achievement by our member The Good Club, which has successfully validated the methodology behind its ESG Impact Reporting through an independent assessment by Bureau Veritas. This milestone marks an important step in transforming an innovative concept into a trusted solution that businesses can confidently adopt. From Innovation to Market-Ready Solution Building a new product requires more than a great idea. It takes continuous testing, validation, collaboration with early adopters to create a solution that delivers real value. Following the successful validation of its methodology, The Good Club has now completed its first ESG Impact Report for a pilot company - demonstrating how employee benefit programmes can generate measurable environmental and social impact while supporting more sustainable purchasing decisions. Supporting local producers through better employee benefits The Good Club is rethinking employee benefits by connecting companies with carefully assessed local farmers and food producers. Through its platform, employees gain access to high-quality, locally produced food, while businesses strengthen their sustainability performance and contribute to shorter, more resilient food supply chains. By supporting responsible producers and encouraging local purchasing, the platform helps generate positive impacts for businesses, consumers, and the agri-food ecosystem alike. At Agriventures, our mission is to help startups and innovative companies transform promising ideas into market-ready solutions that generate real impact across the agri-food sector. We are proud to have supported The Good Club in reaching this important milestone and look forward to seeing its platform continue connecting businesses with local producers, strengthening short food supply chains, and making healthy, sustainably produced food more accessible. Congratulations to the entire The Good Club team on this achievement—we wish you continued success as you scale your impact. \n 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":596},{"url":597,"altText":591},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002F1cd362_5299ef621cfb4179b8fd889f4a95dce8~mv2.png\u002Fimage.png#originWidth=1280&originHeight=720","2026-06-26T09:33:52.982Z",[],[601,602,603,604],{"_id":477,"label":478,"slug":479},{"_id":507,"label":508,"slug":509},{"_id":533,"label":534,"slug":535},{"_id":481,"label":482,"slug":483},"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fagriventures-member-spotlight-the-good-club-achieves-a-major-milestone-with-its-esg-impact-reportin","ac0c59a4-e1e1-4399-9f88-500dac6c8de7",[],[],[],{"_id":611,"title":612,"slug":613,"excerpt":614,"contentText":615,"featuredMedia":616,"firstPublishedDate":619,"lastPublishedDate":619,"hashtags":620,"tags":621,"url":626,"language":485,"memberId":606,"pinned":487,"featured":487,"commentingEnabled":4,"translations":627,"categoryIds":628,"relatedPostIds":629},"d393b4f8-459b-4247-be62-9f132b1dd845","Agriventures member spotlight: Smart Farm Robotix and the vision for the future of autonomous farming","agriventures-member-spotlight-smart-farm-robotix-and-the-vision-for-the-future-of-autonomous-farmin","How can artificial intelligence and robotics help farmers overcome one of agriculture’s most persistent challenges? In a recent interview with the Center for Data Innovation, Rossen Kolev discussed how Bulgarian agri-tech startup Smart Farm Robotix is developing autonomous robotic solutions designed to transform weed management for small and medium-sized farms. Tackling a major challenge in Agriculture Weed control remains one of the most labour-intensive and costly activities in agriculture,...","How can artificial intelligence and robotics help farmers overcome one of agriculture’s most persistent challenges? In a recent interview with the Center for Data Innovation, Rossen Kolev discussed how Bulgarian agri-tech startup Smart Farm Robotix is developing autonomous robotic solutions designed to transform weed management for small and medium-sized farms. Tackling a major challenge in Agriculture Weed control remains one of the most labour-intensive and costly activities in agriculture, particularly for organic producers who cannot rely on conventional herbicides. According to Kolev, many existing robotic solutions are either too expensive or designed for the large, flat fields common in Northern Europe, making them less suitable for the diverse terrain found across Southern and Eastern Europe. To address this gap, Smart Farm Robotix has developed an autonomous field robot that combines computer vision, artificial intelligence, and robotics to identify and remove weeds with high precision while operating in real farming conditions. AI and Robotics supporting sustainable farming The company’s approach focuses on reducing manual labour requirements while supporting more sustainable agricultural practices. By using AI-powered identification systems and autonomous navigation, the robot can distinguish weeds from crops and perform targeted interventions without relying on chemical herbicides. This technology has particular relevance for organic farming, aromatic and medicinal crops, and other production systems where weed management remains a significant operational challenge. A Growing Bulgarian Innovation Success Story Founded in Bulgaria, Smart Farm Robotix has become one of the region’s most promising agri-tech ventures, demonstrating how advanced technologies developed in Central and Eastern Europe can address global agricultural challenges. The company is focused on creating accessible and scalable robotic solutions that can support farmers facing labour shortages, rising costs, and increasing sustainability requirements. The interview highlights a broader trend across agriculture: the convergence of artificial intelligence, automation, and precision farming technologies that are helping producers improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Read the full Interview The complete interview with Rossen Kolev is available through the Center for Data Innovation. 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":617},{"url":618,"altText":612},"wix:image:\u002F\u002Fv1\u002Fnsplsh_574437426f7150726a5945~mv2.jpg\u002FMale%20mechanical%20engineer%20with%20sustainable%20agricultural%20robot%20in%20field.jpg#originWidth=5472&originHeight=3648","2026-06-26T09:32:59.850Z",[],[622,623,624,625],{"_id":477,"label":478,"slug":479},{"_id":507,"label":508,"slug":509},{"_id":469,"label":470,"slug":471},{"_id":533,"label":534,"slug":535},"https:\u002F\u002Fxpsc9qx4zmq8jvdz5c8j.agriventures.co\u002Fpost\u002Fagriventures-member-spotlight-smart-farm-robotix-and-the-vision-for-the-future-of-autonomous-farmin",[],[],[],1784660431593]