Ten Startups Selected for EIT Food’s Test Farms Programme to Trial Innovations on Real Farms
The Test Farms programme by EIT Food offers a unique opportunity for innovative agri-food startups to validate their technologies in real-world settings. By connecting entrepreneurs with farmers, agronomists, and experts, the programme facilitates on-the-ground collaboration and product development.
The 2025 edition has now selected its top ten startups, which will soon begin testing their technologies in partner farms across Europe. Spain leads the list with three selected startups, followed by Bulgaria (2), and one each from Turkey, Portugal, Serbia, Italy and Finland. All the chosen companies have developed innovative solutions for the agri-food sector and possess at least one prototype ready for field trials.
The selected technologies will be tested in various locations. Two startups are already trialling their solutions in Spain:
- Iotic Solutions (Murcia), led by founders Amparo Roca and Antonio Vicente, has developed a software platform that monitors the environmental impact of agricultural processes using IoT devices. The platform delivers real-time data, detailed reports, and AI-driven emissions analysis, helping agri-businesses craft effective emissions-reduction strategies. Their trials are underway in CEATEX – the Experimental Agrotechnological Centre in Cartagena – on fruit orchards.
- Atfield Technologies, originally from Serbia and now expanded through EIT Food’s Bilbao Campus Experience, is trialling its vineyard management software WineREG in La Rioja. Led by Srdjan Tadic, the solution combines the Winessense app with a mathematical microclimate model, translating localised climate data (temperature, humidity, wind, and rainfall) into actionable insights. The goal is to move from calendar-based decisions to data-driven ones. Trials are being conducted with grower Carmen Fernández Uriarte in Fuenmayor.
The third Spanish company selected, Enkitek, was founded by Victor Cantón and employs a team of seven including project lead Irina Craiciu. Their robotic multi-arm harvesting platform integrates IoT, AI, and robotics to optimise operations, boost yield, and cut costs. The prototype is being tested on cucumber crops in a greenhouse in Almería.
Another Spanish startup, Agri Solutions, led by Julian Ćmikiewicz, is developing a digital traceability platform for the food supply chain, capturing emissions, water usage, and regenerative farming practices. It automatically collects real data and produces digital product passports. Its solution will be trialled in Italy.
The remainder of the selected startups include:
- Microhobist (Turkey)
- PreservaCoat (Portugal)
- Symbiagro (Italy)
- Lensor (Finland)
- Mealprot and Atlas Terra (both Bulgaria)
In addition to field validation, the programme introduces these innovations to potential customers and investors, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and connecting producers to tested technologies.
Startups and farms will work together over the coming months, culminating in presentations to the market between November and February. Participants will also have the opportunity to pitch their solutions to investors and sector leaders at Next Bite 2025 in Brussels on 15–16 October.
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