Key Takeaways:
- Four innovative startups—BioAZ, Innofenso, Leafy, and Osiris Agriculture—have been selected for the 9th cohort of the Hectar-HEC Paris Accelerator.
- The startups will undergo a three-month intensive acceleration program from October 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025.
- Since its launch in 2022, the accelerator has supported 71 startups, raising a total of €50 million in funding.
- The accelerator continues to foster collaboration among experts and startups to drive innovation in the agricultural sector.
Hectar, in collaboration with the HEC Paris Incubator, has announced the selection of four startups for its 9th acceleration program cohort. BioAZ, Innofenso, Leafy, and Osiris Agriculture will participate in a three-month intensive program from October 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, receiving support from Hectar’s network of 350 experts, including farmers, entrepreneurs, and researchers. These startups, like their predecessors, offer innovative and resilient solutions for the agricultural sector.
Supporting AgTech Innovation
The Hectar-HEC Paris Accelerator aims to break down silos within the agricultural industry, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to develop impactful solutions. With a focus on climate-smart agriculture, the accelerator provides access to science-based tools and expert networks that help startups scale their businesses.
Since its inception in 2022, the accelerator has supported 71 startups, raising a combined €50 million. In just two years, the accelerator has established itself as a key player in the AgriFoodTech space, welcoming more than 20% of its startups from outside France.
9th Cohort Startups
The four startups selected for the latest cohort include:
- BioAZ: Focused on immunotherapies as alternatives to animal castration in livestock.
- Innofenso: Specializing in video-phenotyping for auxiliary insect production in crop protection.
- Leafy: Using PCR technology for pathogen detection in crops.
- Osiris Agriculture: Developing autonomous irrigation robots for large-scale farming.
A Growing AgriFoodTech Ecosystem
The Hectar-HEC Paris Accelerator has attracted significant support from partners like BNPP Act for Impact, Sucden, Timac Agro France, and others. As the AgTech sector only represents 6% of total investments in French startups, the accelerator’s role in fostering innovation and connecting entrepreneurs with investors is critical.
With plans to experiment with AgTech solutions at its pilot farm until 2030, the accelerator is committed to supporting startups that are shaping the future of agriculture.
