TMG, Amaggi, Sumitomo, Bayer, Alfa Farm Network launch “AgriHub Space” startup incubator

 

Based in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, AgriHub Space, is a new startup incubator that will act as a connection point between companies, farmers, researchers, investors and the agricultural and innovation ecosystem. 

 

The hub is a joint initiative of LM Ventures and Sistema Famato, in partnership with TMG, Amaggi, Agro Amazonia/Sumitomo, Bayer and Alfa Farm Network.

 

AgriHub offers a traditional acceleration program where startups will be selected to participate in a free nine-month cycle of mentoring and solution sessions. They will also receive a free service package to help them develop. A call has been made this year for applications from startups, with eight to fifteen agtechs being selected and provided with a modern and spacious area of 400-square meters.
 

Entrepreneurs and innovation agents will also be offered a service network to accelerate new businesses and bring the market and agtechs closer together. Training, workshops, thematic panels, innovation challenges, open projects, meet-ups, mentoring courses and mentoring days will be offered to startups, among others.

 

The partner companies will work on three pillars of innovation. The first is to help companies innovate their current work but in a faster and more profitable way. The second is to help companies get into new activities that are similar to what they already do, such as creating a new revenue line or a new product or service. The third is a disruptive one, which is to help company adopt new businesses and technologies that can completely transform the industry, such as synthetic or plant hamburgers, as well as greenhouse production. Participating startups are expected to fit into one of the three pillars.

 

A distinctive feature of the project is that partner companies and their collaborators will be able to exchange experiences and develop projects and businesses together, as well as connect with startups and the innovation ecosystem.

 

AgriHub Space's technical team analyzed the main needs of its partner companies, Amaggi, Agro Amazonia / Sumitomo Corporation and TMG, which will be used to select startups that can present solutions and practically apply technologies that will solve the problems raised in the first survey.

 

“Working with startups will be two-fold. Firstly, we will apply our methodology to help them develop as a company. We will then try to carry out pilot projects to test, in practice, the suitability of the product or service to the market, whether with large companies or with producers, with the aim of creating future business relationships that will benefit startups and other businesses,” said Magnus Arantes (LM Ventures' Proprietary Partner).

 

Normando Corral (President of Famato System) spoke about his satisfaction at participating in the design and creation of AgriHub Space. “Participating in the design of the space that will house AgriHub is a joy. We want to make this physical space the home of AgriHub, the home of ideas and innovations that will be developed, especially for the rural production sector. Because here is the farmer's house,” he said.

 

At the event, Francisco Soares Neto (TMG President) stressed that the company's purpose, as one of the creators of AgriHub Space, is to participate in the innovation ecosystem and learn and interact with the industry. “TMG can act as both a startup company looking for solutions to improve internal processes, new product opportunities, business and disruptive innovations, but it is also as a company that can deliver market innovation,” he said.

 

AgriHub Space is the first innovation hub for agriculture and livestock in Mato Grosso and aims to find solutions and innovations for Brazilian agribusiness. It will act as a hub with a physical space to connect and enable potential startups to work and develop. As a result, its creators aim to increase the income of farmers while using minimal resources, as well as contribute to achieving sustainable development through technological innovation, and boosting the world's food supply by 2050.