X2.0 announces the startups selected in AgriTech for its Growth Programme and welcomes HealthTech and BioTech startups to its 3rd Open Call

X2.0 is delighted to have selected ten winning startups in AgriTech that are playing a crucial role in this shift from precision agriculture technologies to beekeeping and chemical spraying with AI assistance.

These ten companies are helping to reduce waste, disease, and risk while increasing yields, allowing for more precise and sustainable farming practices. The ten innovative deeptech startups are: Agrovisio OU (Estonia), Flypard Analytics GmbH (Germany), Silklytics (Estonia), Beehold (Serbia), ATAR AI (Serbia), Agricom.io (Ireland), Databaum (Germany), Ficosterra (Spain), and Veles Sense (Serbia).

It is also worth noting that 80% of the final selected, that is eight out of ten, have women in their core team. X2.0 takes the gender gap seriously and wants to ensure that all of the five programs are supporting companies which do, too.

Also of note is the support of companies belonging to Widening Countries. These countries may be at a disadvantage in comparison to strong innovator countries with more investment in R&D&I. Providing extra support to countries to help fill gaps in business opportunities and innovation practices is crucial. The results from the second Open Call indicate that the majority of startups are coming from a Widening Country (60%).

Driving Innovation and Sustainability in the HealthTech and Biotech Sector with X2.0

The pandemic has brought changes to the healthcare sector, X2.0 offers mentoring to startups so they can learn how to handle disruptions in the market, take effective decisions quickly and be execution ready.

According to the MacKinsey Global Institute Report of May 2022, Europe’s BioTech field possesses exceptional science and a skilled workforce; however, investment levels vary by region. While the US spent $260 billion from 2018 to 2020, Europe spent $42 billion. X2.0’s goal is to empower European startups and reverse this trend. As indicated by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), healthcare spending is projected to decrease in 2023 due to inflation and sluggish economic growth. Initiatives like our 3rd Open Call are designed to bolster and sustain this sector..32

The third Open Call of X2.0 offers startups and scaleups with pioneering solutions across the fields of physical and mental health the opportunity to drive growth in line with the trends of this sector and will remain open until September 5th (17:00 CET). This particularly encourages biotechnologies that directly contribute to service improvements and disease management.

This opportunity offers selected startups access to €30,000 in Innovation Vouchers, and the chance to receive mentorship and scaling services from over 250 Impact Builders.

How and when to apply?

Startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) interested in joining must submit their applications before the 5th of September via the F6S Platform. Detailed Guidelines are available containing all key information and eligibility criteria.

Close to two hundred fifty Impact Builders and over fifteen innovative corporates have already taken part in the program

Close to twenty established corporations, including RENFE, Correos Lab, CINFA, OTP Banking, Iberdrola, AB InBev, FID I&D, S.A. Innovin, Profilink, COFARES, BOSH Digital, SAP Bulgaria, among others, have become part of the program. They are actively in search of startups and innovative solutions for potential investment.

X2.0 also offers great opportunity for all corporations that are seeking novel innovations, strategic partnerships, and investment opportunities in the HealthTech and BioTech sector. X2.0 is currently
seeking corporations operating in the domains of Pharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Digital Health, Genomics, Biotechnology Research, Drug Discovery and Development, Bioinformatics, Healthcare Services, Biomanufacturing, just to name a few.

During the programme, the startups are matched with X2.0 Impact Builders, service providers offering expertise in areas such as Finance & Investment, Deeptech/Scientific domains, Business Development & Scaling-Up, Promotion & Communication, Internationalization & Soft-Landing, and Commercialization & Legal matters. This catalog currently offers 239 companies and individual experts that the X2.0 selected startups can choose from to receive exceptional services as part of the X2.0 Growth Programme.

In order to determine the needs of the selected startups at this moment, X2.0 runs a Needs Assessment process performed by independent experts. After the needs of the startup are determined, a list of proposed service providers is made available to them, which they have the opportunity to meet at an online event.

The startup will have the ultimate decision on which service provider to engage, as it will determine how to invest its innovation voucher.

X2.0 is continuously seeking out innovators, service providers, and businesses that are eager to join this impactful entrepreneurship program.