UnternehmerTUM, the Munich-based startup and innovation center, has launched an AgriFood accelerator track. The goal is to actively support Munich and other startups with technological solutions for agriculture and food, and to assist them in their growth. The launch took place on September 19, 2025 at the AgriFood DemoDay. The first industry partner is seed company KWS.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of increasing soil degradation: According to the EU Soil Observatory, over 60 percent of soils in Europe are damaged or unhealthy. Causes include intensive use, nutrient imbalances, soil sealing, and contamination. The planned EU Soil Directive aims to restore all soils to a healthy state by 2050. Startups using robotics, sensors, and AI can help improve soil quality and develop sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Funding, networking, and market access
Nikola Baumschlager, head of the AgriFood Hub at UnternehmerTUM, explains the program:
“With the specialized accelerator track, AgriFood startups receive exactly the support they need to grow rapidly, address the challenges of the agriculture and food sector, and seize market opportunities.”
The track is part of the XPRENEURS incubator and supports up to five startups per cohort. Workshops, mentoring, and workspace in Munich Urban Colab are part of the support. The accelerator runs twice a year, with the initial focus on biostimulants, soil health, and plant innovation.
As industry partner, KWS brings 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 delighted to support startups through the AgriFood Accelerator Track that focus on these areas 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. The aim is to promote exchange and collaboration between startups, companies, farmers, and policymakers.
