Agricover, SeedBlink and Microsoft team up to launch Nextcelerator - The Digital Agriculture Hub
Agricover Group, the main player in Romanian agribusiness, active for over 20 years in agribusiness, agri-finance and agri-tech, in collaboration with SeedBlink, the European investment platform for tech startups, and Microsoft through its subsidiary dedicated to supporting startups, is looking for innovative companies that meet the needs of the sector.
Nextcelerator - The Digital Agriculture Hub, launched today, 20 December, is open to entrepreneurs in the AgriTech sector with an early-stage startup founded in Central and Eastern Europe, with an MVP already tested and plans to scale internationally. The programme will use mentoring sessions to identify startup vulnerabilities and opportunities, and then implement appropriate support mechanisms in the form of training, business planning, mentoring and facilitating access to professional farmers and players in agriculture.
The overall aim of this programme is to develop the capacity of market-ready startups and entrepreneurs in agriculture in Central and Eastern Europe so that they have greater potential to generate sustainable income and to connect them with investment partners who support their vision.
Selected startups will have access to 4 weekly one-on-one mentoring sessions focused on entrepreneurial skills such as developing a business model, financing a business and planning for launch, as well as a series of unique masterclasses tailored to the startup's needs. Topics can range from selling to farmers and forging partnerships, to developing new technologies and applying artificial intelligence in agriculture.
Liviu Dobre, General Manager Agricover Holding, said, "Romania is among the top countries in the European Union in terms of agricultural production, with significant untapped growth potential. The agriculture of the future needs to be sustainable and environmentally responsible, and the adoption of digital technology is a key factor in the transformation of this sector. 2021 was a good year for agriculture and agribusiness in general in Romania, and all prospects indicate that technology is what will support this sustainable growth. Therefore, a close partnership between agribusiness experts, technology experts and an investment platform can stimulate and support a new generation of AgriTech. Agricover's partnership with SeedBlink and Microsoft provides early-stage AgriTech companies with access to exceptional resources, business development support, expertise, research and know-how and we can't wait to get started."