Where European Agritech Startups Are Getting Capital

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For centuries, Europe has been at the forefront of agricultural innovation, from the medieval open-field systems to the modern-day precision farming techniques.  Today, the European agritech market is booming, with over 1600 companies and 500 series A funded startups.This momentum is not only reshaping traditional farming practices but also positioning Europe as a global leader in agricultural innovation. A standout example of this growth is Infarm, a German vertical farming startup that achieved unicorn status in 2021 after raising over €200 million since its inception in 2013. 

This rapid expansion would not be possible without the robust support of funding institutions, which play a crucial role in nurturing innovation. In this article, we’ll explore the different funding institutions supporting european agritech startups.

Where European Agritech Startups are Getting Funding

Image source: Astanor

European agritech startups are attracting capital from a variety of sources including venture capital firms, government grants, EU innovation programs, corporate partnerships, and impact investors. Here’s a breakdown of where the money is coming from, along with real-life examples of startups and their funding sources:

Venture Capital Funds Investing in European Agritech

1. Astanor Ventures

Astanor Ventures is a Belgium-based venture capital firm specialising in agrifood tech impact investing. Founded in 2017 by Eric Archambeau and George Coelho, it has become a significant player in the European agritech scene. Astanor has raised two major funds: the first was $325 million, launched in 2020, focusing on startups in Europe and North America working on agriculture, food, and oceantech. The second fund closed at €360 million in September 2023, further solidifying its commitment to sustainable agrifood technologies. Astanor invests in early-stage startups, typically taking a 10% ownership stake. They focus on companies that align with their impact goals, such as improving health and nature through food and farming. Notable investments include Infarm and Ÿnsect.

2. Speedinvest

Speedinvest is a pan-European early-stage venture capital fund with offices across Europe. Founded in 2011, it has grown significantly, managing over €1 billion in assets. Speedinvest launched a new €500 million fund in early 2023, focusing on pre-seed and seed startups across six sectors, including deep tech and industrial tech. While not exclusively focused on agritech, they have made relevant investments in this space. Speedinvest supports startups in Central and Eastern Europe and has a dedicated team for climate tech and industrial tech. They led a €1.3 million pre-seed round for hexafarms, an AI-driven SaaS solution for commercial greenhouses. This investment highlights their interest in innovative technologies that can enhance agricultural productivity.

3. Seedcamp

Seedcamp is a London-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups across Europe. Founded in 2007, it has supported numerous successful companies. Seedcamp invests in seed-stage startups, often providing initial funding rounds. While not exclusively focused on agritech, they have invested in startups that overlap with this sector. Seedcamp looks for innovative, scalable ideas and provides extensive network support to its portfolio companies. Their investments span multiple sectors, including those relevant to agritech. By supporting early-stage companies, Seedcamp plays a crucial role in nurturing the growth of new technologies and business models in the agritech space.

4. Global Founders Capital

Global Founders Capital is a venture capital firm backed by Rocket Internet, focusing on early-stage investments globally. They invest in seed and early-stage startups across various sectors, including those related to agritech. Global Founders Capital supports startups with scalable business models, often leveraging Rocket Internet’s network and expertise to help companies grow rapidly. This strategic support is particularly valuable for startups in the agritech sector, where scaling can be challenging due to the complexity of agricultural systems and supply chains. By providing both financial resources and operational guidance, Global Founders Capital helps agritech startups navigate these challenges and achieve growth.

Government Grants and EU Funding Opportunities

1. European Investment Fund (EIF)

The European Investment Fund (EIF) plays a crucial role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe, including those in the agritech sector. While not exclusively focused on agritech, the EIF provides financing through various instruments such as venture capital funds, guarantees, and microfinance. This support helps startups access capital that might otherwise be difficult to secure, enabling them to scale their operations and innovate within the agricultural sector.

2. European Innovation Partnership ‘Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability’ (EIP-AGRI)

EIP-AGRI is a key initiative by the European Union aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. It operates through a network that facilitates collaboration between farmers, researchers, advisors, and businesses to develop innovative solutions for agriculture. EIP-AGRI supports projects through funding opportunities, knowledge sharing, and networking. By registering on the EIP-AGRI platform, startups can access a network of potential partners and stay updated on available funding sources across Europe.

3. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the EU’s primary instrument for supporting the agricultural sector. It includes two main funds: the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The EAGF provides financial assistance to farmers and supports sustainable agriculture practices, while the EAFRD focuses on rural development, promoting sustainable management of natural resources and climate action. CAP allocations for 2021-2027 amount to €386.6 billion, with a significant portion dedicated to climate action and sustainable agriculture.

4. AgrifoodTEF Project

The AgrifoodTEF project is a multi-sector initiative funded by the European Commission and EU member states. It aims to help agritech companies leverage AI and robotics technologies to enhance food production efficiency and sustainability. The project includes testing facilities in nine European countries, offering SMEs access to over 200 AI services. This initiative bridges the gap between research and market implementation, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting innovative technologies.

5. Horizon Europe and Other EU Programs

Horizon Europe is the EU’s research and innovation program, which includes funding opportunities for agritech startups. While not exclusively focused on agriculture, it supports projects that contribute to sustainable food systems and environmental challenges. Additionally, programs like the Fast Track to Innovation (FTI) and Eurostars provide funding for innovative projects, including those in the agrifood sector.

Examples of European Agritech Startups Securing Capital

1. Infarm (Germany)
   • Infarm, a vertical farming startup, has raised over €200 million since its inception in 2013 and achieved unicorn status by 2021. This demonstrates significant investor interest in innovative farming technologies.
2. Agurotech (Netherlands)
   • Agurotech, an Amsterdam-based startup focused on data-driven agriculture, secured €2.25 million in early 2025. The funding came from investors like Navus Ventures, ROM InWest, and Rabo Ventures, supporting its expansion across Europe.
3. Agricarbon (UK)
   • Agricarbon, specializing in carbon sequestration and soil health analysis, has secured over €9 million in funding. This highlights the growing interest in sustainability-focused agritech solutions.
4. Agremo
   • Agremo closed a private funding round of nearly €200,000 through the SeedBlink platform, showcasing the role of crowdfunding and community-driven funding in supporting agritech startups.

Conclusion

European agritech startups are experiencing significant growth, driven by innovative technologies and increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices. These startups are securing capital from diverse sources, including venture capital funds like Astanor Ventures, Speedinvest, Seedcamp, and Global Founders Capita. 

Government grants and EU funding initiatives, such as the European Investment Fund and EIP-AGRI, offer substantial financial resources and networking opportunities. Programs like the EIT Food Test Farms Program and Agri-TechE Funding Finder further support agritech startups by providing real-world testing environments and streamlined access to funding opportunities.

These combined efforts are crucial for fostering innovation in European agriculture, enabling startups to develop and scale sustainable solutions that address global food security challenges.