STARTUP DAY 2025: catalyzing agri-food innovation

May 28, 2025. Valencia

«Startup Day 2025: catalyzing agri-food innovation» It 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 debate will be encouraged at a round table with leading companies from the AgrotecUV Community in the sector. In addition, experts will share advances in agricultural remote sensing, pest control and food, 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 meetings that will take place in the networking spaces provided..

PROGRAM

9:30 a.m. Institutional opening

Rosa María Donat. Vice-Rector for Innovation and Transfer of the University of Valencia
Pedro Carrasco. Director of AgrotecUV and Director of the UV Science Park
José Pellicer. President BIOVEGEN

9:50 a.m. AgrotecUV: incubating the future of the sector

Eva Bataller. Business development manager at AgrotecUV and innovation agent at IVACE+i

10:00 a.m. X-ray of the Spanish agrobiotechnology sector

Gonzaga Ruiz de Gauna. BIOVEGEN Manager

10:10 a.m. AgrotecUV Startup Pitches: 3rd Round. Moderator: Eva Bataller. Business development manager at AgrotecUV and innovation agent at IVACE+i

Agrotan Natura: production of biofertilizers and products for quality, profitable and sustainable agriculture. Miguel Angel Gonzalez. Co-founder and CEO of Agrotan Nature
Ajax DNA: Production of customized microorganisms for the scalable production of novel food ingredients and bioactive compounds. Alexander Atienza. Co-founder and CEO of Ajax Biosciences
Bio2Coat: production of natural 100% edible coating films that preserve, protect and extend the shelf life of fresh fruit. Farayde Matta. Co-founder and CRO of Bio2Coat
Agraris BioTech: development of sustainable encapsulations with controlled release, reducing chemicals and protecting crops in an efficient and ecological way. Andrea Bernardos. Scientific Advisor Agraris BioTech
Guennetikos Gen: biotechnology company dedicated to the production of secondary metabolites from plants. Miguel María López. Founder and CEO of Guenentikos Gen
Karat Foods: development of innovative and sustainable products based on carob, promoting local agriculture, biodiversity and healthy consumption. Luis Borja García. Founder of Karat Foods.
Modoru biotech: development of plant vaccines for pathogen control 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 a.m. AgrotecUV startup success stories. Moderator: Gonzaga Ruiz de Gauna. BIOVEGEN Manager

First pilot trial of phages in Spain for the treatment of Xylella fastidiosa
- Pilar Domingo. Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Evolving Therapeutics
- Diego Olmo. Official Plant Health Laboratory of the Balearic Islands (LOSVIB)

Incubation program as a driver of agrobiotech startups
- Federico Grau. CEO and founder of Madeinplant

11:30 a.m. Coffee break

12:15 p.m. Roundtable. AgrotecUV Community: Innovation and Collaboration. Moderator: Pedro Carrasco. Director of AgrotecUV and Director of the UV Science Park

Angel of the Pine Anecoop Production and Innovation Department
Joaquin del Rio. Director of Quality and R&D at Vicky Foods
Juancho Escobar. Founder & CEO of Q'Omer
Pepe Castro. Innovation agent for the CV. Project manager at the Unió Llauradora y Ramadera

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

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

13:15 h. 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 p.m. CDTI supports technology-based entrepreneurship

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

1:45 p.m. Closure

Jerome Mora. Regional Secretary for Innovation. Regional Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism