Agrifood Innovation
The Cajamar Group Foundation's acceleration program has added 22 new technology projects focused on water management, biotechnology, and the food industry. The selection, made from 197 applications, reinforces the trends in precision robotics and artificial intelligence to address current challenges in the agri-food sector.
A new cohort focused on AI, biotechnology, and precision robotics
The accelerator Cajamar Innova, program of the Fundación Grupo Cajamar, has selected 22 startups for its new promotion in the Water, Agrotech, and Foodtech verticals. The call for applications, which attracted 197 submissions, demonstrates the growing interest of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the agri-food sector and sets a clear roadmap for the technologies that are redefining the industry: the Artificial Intelligence as a manager of complex systems, the biotechnology as an alternative to chemical inputs and precision robotics to optimize operations.
During the presentation of the new class, framed within the "II Campus - Immersion Day" of the entity, Ricardo García Lorenzo, director of Cajamar Innova and Director of Agri-food Innovation of Fundación Grupo CajamarHe emphasized the strategic relevance of the projects. "This edition reflects, better than any previous one, the breadth of what is happening in agri-food innovation. Molecular biotechnology, artificial intelligence applied to water, new ingredients, precision robotics: it's not a thematic program, it's a roadmap of where the sector is headed," he stated. García LorenzoHe added that this map is "built by teams that are not working on the future, but solving problems that farmers, water managers, or the food industry have on their table today."
Water management: from real-time sensing to AI
The sixth edition of Cajamar Innova Agua It focuses on the need to obtain high-quality data in real time. Among the selected startups are: AiQUOS, which develops electrochemical probes with embedded AI to measure multiple parameters without relying on the cloud; MizuSensewith sensors that mimic plant roots to analyze the rhizosphere; and Kimedes AIwhich uses satellite detection to identify leaks in underground networks. In the area of treatment, Electraqua has created a reactor to eliminate micro-pollutants, while Agrodit applies sensor technology to sports fields and BluMind It builds the data infrastructure for decision-making in complex water operations such as desalination.
Agrotech: Biotechnology as an operational tool in the field
In its third graduating class, Cajamar Innova Agrotech This demonstrates that biotechnology has moved from the laboratory to becoming a functional agricultural tool. Projects such as those of Evolving Therapeutics (bacteriophages for the control of phytopathogens), Terrana Biosciences (RNA platforms against viruses such as the ToBRFV in tomato) and Agrikola.ai (Robotics with precision UVC radiation) are already in the testing phase under real-world growing conditions. At the same time, digitalization is advancing with Ulture for operational management, Agrisens for automatic pest monitoring, Inbiota for the microbiological diagnosis of soil, Cropi to guarantee the traceability of the value chain, and Solaris Vita, which integrates solar panels into the greenhouse infrastructure.
| Key Milestone of the Program | Release year | Companies Supported (Total) |
|---|---|---|
| Creation of Cajamar Innova | 2018 | 117 (including the new promotion) |
| Vertical launch Agrotech | 2024 | Third promotion underway |
| Vertical launch Foodtech | 2025 | Second promotion underway |
| international startups supported | 2018-2026 | 13 from eight different countries |
Foodtech: reducing the environmental footprint while ensuring food safety
The second edition of Cajamar Innova Foodtech It aligns with the goal of reducing the environmental impact of the food system. Entomo Agroindustrial converts waste into protein using insects; Bioceanics transforms oils into highly bioavailable omega-3; and Nuna It encapsulates microalgae for aquaculture. Other solutions aim to reduce chemical inputs: Nat4Bio It offers a post-harvest bioadjuvant that reduces the use of fungicides by up to 75%; Fibtray It replaces 96% of the plastic in packaging trays; and Alcheme Bio It eliminates unwanted flavors in plant-based proteins without adding ingredients. At the nexus of food and health, Cyanoterra develops micronutrients with greater bioavailability and Eubiomic Health has created a food for medical use in patients with colorectal surgery.
Key points and frequently asked questions about innovation in Agrotech
What impact does this accelerator have on the Spanish agri-food sector?
TAI-certified Cajamar Innova positions España as a leading hub for Agrotech and Foodtech innovation. By offering access to the Experimental Centers of Cajamar en Almería y ValenciaIt facilitates the validation of technologies under real-world conditions, shortening time to market and connecting disruptive startups with leading corporations in the sector.
What should Spanish exporters know about these new technologies?
For exporting companies, these innovations are key to international competitiveness. Technologies such as traceability of Cropi or the bioadjuvants of Nat4Bio They allow compliance with the demanding sustainability (ESG) regulations of markets such as the Unión EuropeaThey add added value to the product, guaranteeing a smaller carbon footprint, reduced use of chemicals, and greater food safety.
Why does Cajamar Innova focus on water, agrotech and foodtech?
These three areas are strategic and interconnected to address the global challenges of food security, climate change, and regulatory pressure. Efficient water management is the foundation of agricultural production (agritech), which in turn is the origin of the food industry's value chain (foodtech). This comprehensive approach enables the development of high-impact, systemic solutions.
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