STARTUP DAY 2025: catalyzing agri-food innovation

STARTUP DAY 2025: catalyzing agri-food innovation

May 28, 2025. Valencia

Program
Registered entities
Conclusions

“Startup Day 2025: catalyzing agri-food innovation” is a day organized by AgrotecUV and BIOVEGEN, focused on promoting innovation in the agri-food sector. The event will bring together startups incubated at AgrotecUV, leading companies in the sector, researchers, and investors to explore innovative and sustainable solutions in the agri-food sector.

Throughout the day, disruptive startups will be presented, pioneering success stories such as the use of phages to combat Xylella fastidiosa, and a roundtable discussion will foster debate with leading companies from the AgrotecUV Community in the sector. Additionally, experts will share advances in agricultural remote sensing, pest control, and nutrition, culminating in a strategic vision on technological trends and investment in the sector.

This meeting is a unique opportunity to connect with the agrifood ecosystem, learn about innovative projects, and establish collaborations that promote the transfer of knowledge to the productive sector. The event will also allow participating professionals to hold bilateral meetings in previously scheduled encounters that will take place in the designated networking spaces.

PROGRAM

9:30 AM. Institutional opening

  • Rosa María Donat. Vice-Rector for Innovation and Transfer at the Universitat de València
  • Pedro Carrasco. Director of AgrotecUV and Director of the Scientific Park of the UV
  • José Pellicer. President of BIOVEGEN 

9:50 AM. AgrotecUV: incubating the future of the sector

  • Eva Bataller. Head of business development at AgrotecUV and innovation agent at IVACE+i

10:00 AM. Overview of the Spanish agbiotech sector 

  • Gonzaga Ruiz de Gauna. Manager of BIOVEGEN

10:10 a.m. Startup pitches from AgrotecUV: 3rd Call. Moderator: Eva Bataller. Head of business development at AgrotecUV and innovation agent at IVACE+i

  • Agrotan Natura: creation of biofertilizers and products for quality, profitable, and sustainable agriculture. Miguel Ángel González. Co-founder and CEO of Agrotan Natura
  • Ajax DNA: production of customized microorganisms for the scalable production of new food ingredients and bioactive compounds. Alejandro Atienza. Co-founder and CEO of Ajax Biosciences
  • Bio2Coat: production of 100% natural edible coating films that preserve, protect, and extend the commercial life of fresh fruit. Farayde Matta. Co-founder and CRO of Bio2Coat
  • Agraris BioTech: development of sustainable encapsulations with controlled release, reducing chemicals and efficiently and ecologically protecting crops. Andrea Bernardos. Scientific advisor at Agraris BioTech
  • Guennetikos Gen: biotechnology company dedicated to the production of secondary plant metabolites. Miguel María López. Founder and CEO of Guenentikos Gen
  • Karat Foods: development of innovative and sustainable products based on carob, enhancing local agriculture, biodiversity, and healthy consumption. Luis Borja García. Founder of Karat Foods.
  • Modoru biotech: development of plant-based vaccines for the control of pathogens and nano-encapsulation of active ingredients for use in agriculture. José María Delgado. Founder of Modoru biotech.
  • Veganic nature: development of biosolutions for the sustainable and conscious exploitation of crops, allowing for healthy and profitable harvests. Carlos Ledó. Founder of Veganic Nature and CEO.

11:00 h. Success stories of AgrotecUV startups. Moderates: Gonzaga Ruiz de Gauna. Manager of BIOVEGEN

  • First pilot trial of phages in Spain for the treatment of Xylella fastidiosa
    • Pilar Domingo. Co-founder and Scientific Director (CSO) of Evolving therapeutics
    • Diego Olmo. Official Laboratory of Plant Health of the Balearic Islands (LOSVIB)
  • Incubation program as a driver for agbiotech startups
    • Federico Grau. CEO and founder of Madeinplant

11:30 h. Coffee break

12:15 h. Round table. AgrotecUV Community: innovation and collaboration. Moderator: Pedro Carrasco. Director of AgrotecUV and Director of the Scientific Park of the UV

  • Ángel del Pino. Department of Production and Innovation of Anecoop
  • Joaquín del Río. Quality and R&D Director of Vicky Foods
  • Juancho Escobar. Founder & CEO of Q’Omer
  • Pepe Castro. Innovation agent for the CV. Project Director at the Llauradora and Ramadera Union

12:45 h. Research from the University of Valencia in the agri-food sector. Moderator: Gonzaga Ruiz de Gauna. Manager BIOVEGEN

  • Bionutest-UV: design and evaluation of healthy and sustainable foods. Amparo Gamero. Associate Professor of the University of Valencia in the area of food technology
  • CBP-UV: biotechnological control of pests for more sustainable crop protection. Salvador Herrero. Professor at the University of Valencia in the Genetics Department of the Biotecmed institute
  • UCG-UV: remote sensing as a tool for sustainable management and transformation of agriculture. Belén Franch. Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Physics and Thermodynamics at the University of Valencia and adjunct professor at the University of Maryland

1:15 PM. Trends, disruptive technologies, and strategic investment in the agri-food sector

  • Xana Belastegui. General Partner of the Agri-Food Tech Fund, SWANLAAB VENTURE FACTORY

1:30 PM. CDTI support for technology-based entrepreneurship

  • Carlos Franco. Technical Advisor at CDTI. Expert in national and international R&D project evaluation in the agri-food sector

1:45 PM. Closing

  • Jerónimo Mora. Regional Secretary of Innovation. Department of Innovation, Industry, Commerce, and Tourism