Desafía AgTech Germany:
Market Entry & Immersion Program
Oct-Dec 2025
Are you a Spanish AgTech startup ready to take the leap into one of the most advanced agricultural markets in the world?
What is Desafía AgTech Germany?
Desafía AgTech Germany is an intensive market entry and networking program for promising Spanish AgTech startups. The goal of the program is to provide participants with a deep understanding of the German market and to connect them directly with partners, companies, and investors.
The program is powered by RootCamp and supported by ICEX, Red.es, and OFECOMES.
This two-month program in Hannover offers workshops, investor pitch sessions, company visits, and networking events.
Startups in the following sectors are welcome to apply for the program:
- agricultural biotechnology;
- the circular economy and carbon capture;
- robotics, mechanization and smart devices;
- software for agriculture and livestock farming;
- and other agritech sectors.
What is Desafía AgTech Germany?
Desafía AgTech Germany is an intensive market entry and networking program for promising Spanish AgTech startups. The goal of the program is to provide participants with a deep understanding of the German market and to connect them directly with partners, companies, and investors.
The program is powered by RootCamp and supported by ICEX, Red.es, and OFECOMES.
This two-month program in Hannover offers workshops, investor pitch sessions, company visits, and networking events.
Startups in the following sectors are welcome to apply for the program:
- agricultural biotechnology;
- the circular economy and carbon capture;
- robotics, mechanization and smart devices;
- software for agriculture and livestock farming;
- and other agritech sectors.
What startups get from the program?
- Workshops on regulations, funding, IP, and market entry strategy
- Individual coaching from seasoned German experts in AgTech
- Specialized Mentoring and Meetings with key organizations and players in the German AgTech ecosystem
- Networking & Matchmaking with corporates, investors, farmers, and other relevant stakeholders
- Company & Research Centers Visits in Germany
- Participation at the Agritechnica, the largest AgTech fair in Europe
- Pitch Training & Demo Day in front of global audiences at Agritechnica
The program activities take place from the 13th of October to the 15th of December. The activities are both virtually and in-person in Hannover (from November 5th to November 14th ).
Who can apply?
Registration Deadline
Registration can be made until 23:59h on September 26th, 2025
Free Participation
Fee-free participation
Limited Places
Places in this activity are limited (maximum 10 participants)
Self-Funded Travel
Startups will have to cover their own travel, accommodation and living expenses in Germany
Startups in the following sectors are welcome to apply for the program:
- Be headquartered and operating primarily out of Spain
- Be a tech company with a product or service in AgTech
- A product/service at or near commercialization stage
- Strong commitment to international expansion in Germany
- Fluent English (German is a plus)
- Willingness to travel and stay in Germany for the duration of the program
Program Timeline
Applications are now open until the September 26th.
10 startups will be selected by October 10th.
The kick-off of the program takes place in Madrid on October 13th and 14th.
Startups will begin the preparation for visiting Germany. This phase is virtual and takes place from October 15th until November 4th.
Startups will visit Hannover, Germany from November 5th to 14th, where they’ll tour companies, and innovation centers, receive pitch training, and get support in defining market potential and strategies for market entry and fundraising. A detailed agenda will be shared at the Kick-off Meeting.
After the visit to Germany, companies are supported for 2 more weeks from November 17th to November 28th.
Why Germany?
Second-largest agricultural producer
in Europe with a value of €73+ billion in 2024
High digital adoption: 85% of German farmers
already use digital tools for planning and management
Robust startup ecosystem
strong government support, innovation hubs, and research institutions
Big players
Bayer Crop Science; BayWa AG; Bernard Krone Holding; Amazone H. Dreyer GmbH & Co. KG; Krone Agriculture; WIMEX Group; etc.
International gateway
credibility in Germany paves the way for scaling across the EU and beyond
Why Germany?
Second-largest agricultural producer
in Europe with a value of €73+ billion in 2024
High digital adoption: 85% of German farmers
already use digital tools for planning and management
Big players
Bayer Crop Science; BayWa AG; Bernard Krone Holding; Amazone H. Dreyer GmbH & Co. KG; Krone Agriculture; WIMEX Group; etc.
Robust startup ecosystem
strong government support, innovation hubs, and research institutions
International gateway
credibility in Germany paves the way for scaling across the EU and beyond
RootCamp Team
Dr. Philipp Rittershaus
Corporate innovation & statup coaching
Gaia Amatteis
Head of Program
Adrian Slowik
Consultant ESG & Sustainability
Linh Pham
Marketing Content Manager
Partners
Non-equity assistance
ICEX is a public business-oriented organization aimed at promoting the prosperity of the Spanish economy through internationalization. Its goals include enhancing the competitiveness of Spanish companies and their ecosystems in international markets; promoting Spain’s image, its productive sectors, and companies abroad; attracting, promoting, and supporting foreign investments in Spain; and providing training in these areas. Its international network and close collaboration with chambers of commerce and sectoral associations are key to positioning Spain as a reference in global markets.
Red.es is the public corporate entity attached to the Ministry of Digital Transformation and The Civil Service. Red.es develops programs to boost the digital economy, innovation, entrepreneurship, training for young people and professionals and support for SMEs and Startups through the promotion of efficient and intensive use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) interested in doing business with Spain, offering comprehensive access to all necessary information.
Local implementation partner
RootCamp is an innovation hub for technology-oriented startups from the AgTech, Bioeconomy and Circular Economy sector. RootCamp’s mission is to bridge the gap between visionary corporations and governments with the explosive potential of transformative tech companies. They supported more than 50 international startups from pre-seed to Series A. RootCamp collaborates closely with more than 50 leading corporations and investors. This network gives them unique access to industry insights, enabling us to design programs that provide startups with targeted guidance and hands-on tools directly aligned with real market needs.