Key Takeaways
- CDP Venture Capital establishes Novagria Ventures to accelerate innovation across the agri-food supply chain
- €5.65 million initial investment aims to create up to six new startups over the next three years
- Project supported by leading partners including GELLIFY, Mutti, Sipcam Oxon, and Crédit Agricole Italia
- Initiative targets digital transformation, sustainability, and efficiency for SMEs in the agri-food sector
- Backed by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, with institutional support from the Emilia-Romagna Region
CDP Venture Capital Introduces Novagria Ventures
CDP Venture Capital has launched Novagria Ventures, a new venture building initiative designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within Italy’s agri-food supply chain. Announced at Le Village by CA Parma, the project brings together national and local institutions, private companies, and research organizations to strengthen digital transformation and operational efficiency in the sector.
Developed through CDP Venture Capital’s Boost Innovation Fund, in agreement with the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Novagria Ventures will focus on creating new businesses that deliver digital and technological solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the agri-food value chain.
Investment and Objectives of Novagria Ventures
With a total investment of €5.65 million, Novagria Ventures plans to build up to six new companies within three years. These startups will be eligible for follow-up equity investments from CDP Venture Capital’s Boost Innovation Fund, amounting to approximately €25 million and potentially generating total market investments of around €45 million.
The newly created companies will aim to bridge technological and process gaps within the agri-food supply chain, focusing on:
- Enhancing operational efficiency
- Strengthening environmental sustainability
- Improving food safety and traceability
- Increasing international competitiveness
Market Context and Digital Growth Opportunities
The global agri-food industry attracted approximately €15 billion in investment in 2024, with significant growth in the upstream segment—covering raw materials, production inputs, and biotechnological innovations. In Italy, the market for digital solutions in agriculture is valued at €2.3 billion, growing at an annual rate of 30% over the past five years.
Key priorities for digital transformation in the national supply chain include traceability, smart farming, and the B2B marketplace for raw materials, areas that Novagria Ventures aims to strengthen through targeted innovation initiatives.
Strategic Partners Supporting CDP Venture Capital
The initiative is backed by several strategic and institutional partners:
- GELLIFY, a global innovation factory that will serve as venture builder and manage project development
- Mutti, a leader in tomato derivatives emphasizing quality, sustainability, and Italian tradition
- Sipcam Oxon, a multinational company specializing in crop protection and plant nutrition
- Crédit Agricole Italia, which will host Novagria Ventures’ operational headquarters at Le Village by CA Parma
Institutional partners include the Emilia-Romagna Region, Clust-ER Agroalimentare, and Aretè, all contributing expertise in regional development, research, and agrifood intelligence.
Leadership and Partner Statements
Vincenzo Colla, Vice President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, emphasized the project’s strategic importance:
“You are working to strengthen the agri-food supply chain, which is central to our region’s identity. To remain competitive, we must invest in innovation and build integrated public-private systems that attract long-term investment.”
Michele Giordani, Managing Partner and Founder of GELLIFY, added:
“With Novagria Ventures, we are introducing a true factory of new businesses, built around the real needs of the agri-food sector and developed alongside its key players.”
Francesco Mutti, CEO of Mutti, highlighted the link between innovation and tradition:
“Our history teaches us that quality and tradition must always be in dialogue with innovation. Supporting Novagria Ventures means helping SMEs embrace technology for a stronger, more sustainable agri-food future.”
Nadia Gagliardini, President of Sipcam Oxon, stated:
“Technologies are key to supporting the future of agriculture and ensuring global food security. Novagria Ventures represents a concrete opportunity to find solutions that strengthen the competitiveness of the Italian supply chain.”
Roberto Ghisellini, Co-General Manager of Crédit Agricole Italia, concluded:
“With Novagria Ventures, we merge our commitment to agri-food and innovation. Together with CDP Venture Capital and our partners, we will support one of the pillars of the Italian economy.”
Outlook for the Italian Agri-Food Sector
Through Novagria Ventures, CDP Venture Capital reinforces its commitment to advancing innovation across the agri-food supply chain. By integrating investment, entrepreneurship, and technological expertise, the initiative aims to help Italian SMEs compete globally while promoting sustainability, efficiency, and resilience within one of the country’s most vital industries.
