UnternehmerTUM, the Munich-based startup and innovation center, has launched an AgriFood Accelerator Track. The goal is to specifically promote and support the growth of Munich-based and other startups with technological solutions for agriculture and nutrition. The program kicked off on September 19, 2025, at the AgriFood Demo Day. The first industry partner is the seed company KWS.
The initiative is driven by the increasing strain on agricultural land: According to the EU Soil Observatory, over 60 percent of soils in Europe are considered damaged or unhealthy. Causes include intensive use, nutrient imbalances, sealing, and contamination. The planned EU Soil Directive aims to restore all soils to a healthy state by 2050. Startups that use robotics, sensors, and AI can help improve soil quality and develop sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Promotion, networking and market access
Nikola Baumschlager, Head of the AgriFood Hubs at UnternehmerTUM, explains the program:
"With the specialized Accelerator Track, agrifood startups receive exactly the support they need to grow strongly, address the challenges of the agricultural and food sector, and seize market opportunities."
The track is part of the XPRENEURS incubator and supports up to five startups per round. Workshops, mentoring, and workspaces at the Munich Urban Colab are part of the funding. The accelerator takes place twice a year, initially focusing on biostimulants, soil health, and plant innovations.
As an industrial partner, KWS contributes its expertise in plant breeding. Stefan Schwarz, Lead of Scouting & Licensing at KWS, emphasizes:
"KWS has set clear and measurable goals for more sustainable agriculture, including minimizing resource use, which also benefits soil health. We are therefore very pleased to be supporting startups with the AgriFood Accelerator Track that focus on precisely this area and to support them with our expertise."
The Accelerator Track is part of the AgriFood Hub, a joint platform of UnternehmerTUM and TUM Venture Labs Food/Agri/BioTech. Its goal is to promote exchange and collaboration between startups, companies, farmers, and policymakers.
