Founding an Agritech startup

Founding an Agritech startup

As accent Incubator, we support founders in the implementation of their ambitious agricultural innovations in Lower Austria. Sensor technology, new materials and food innovations, robotics, mobile and networked devices for the efficient and environmentally friendly utilization of machines as well as new, bio-based and resource-saving processes are the focus and are supported by our know-how and broad regional and international network.

In addition to in-depth industry knowledge in Agritech, a startup has a number of aspects to consider, which can range from the legal framework to the actual implementation of its own test series and small-batch production. We support founders in specially developed formats for sustainable product validation and further development along the chosen business model.

Challenges for Agritech companies

Founding an Agritech startup comes with specific challenges, ranging from financing to market acceptance and regulatory hurdles.

High cost pressure, the scaling of hardware and international competition are among the central challenges of the agricultural industry. In addition, there is their direct influence on biodiversity and climate protection as well as their high relevance for food security and soil health. At the same time, the industry opens up a wide range of potential to mobilize real innovations through startups.

This requires excellent business models and a solid understanding of the market. Startups should be able to communicate and demonstrate the great potential of climate protection in agriculturally relevant applications.

How accent supports Agritech startups

accent is the technology incubator of the province of Lower Austria. In addition to its competence and many years of experience, the accent team also brings a high degree of commitment and passion for accompanying the founding team on their way to becoming the next business champion.

Selected experts will provide input on various startup-related topics such as marketing and sales, corporate law, financial planning, storytelling, trade law and the commercial register or dealing with financial investors.

Annual highlights include the accent Cross-Innovation Summit and the accent Boot Camp with Gigi Wang (University of Berkeley), during which a week is spent working on one's own business model, strategy, storytelling and presentation.

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150 Business plans

and business ideas are submitted to accent every year.

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300 Startups

have been included in the accent incubation since 2005.

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70 million in funding

could be mobilized by accent startups (as well as more than 50 million in equity).

accent Makerspace

The accent Makerspace enables founders to experimentally pilot their product ideas and accelerate their development.

The focus of the accent Makerspace is on clean-tech innovations – sustainable and climate-relevant startups – that plan to scale internationally. With the offers of the accent Makerspace, accent bundles its activities which have been set since 2020 around high technology, sustainability, and climate.

The accent Makerspace offers Lower Austrian Cleantech startups specifically tailored knowledge transfers, lively community building and international networking opportunities, which are complemented by a rich landscape of trial areas: workshops, laboratories, greenhouses, arable land and storage rooms that meet the infrastructure and machinery needs of Cleantech startups. The offers of the accent Makerspace are available to all startups supported by accent Incubator.

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The accent AplusB Programme

As an AplusB centre, accent is a central partner for startups with high-tech innovations in Lower Austria.

With its nine AplusB centres in Austria, the programme supports technology startups with high growth potential across the board. Technology projects are identified as an important cooperation and inspiration partner of the Austrian higher education landscape and led to success within the framework of a startup foundation. The usually 18-month incubation with impulse sessions, coaching and individual support from an experienced project manager as well as networking provides special support for startups, with regard to financing, IP strategy, and funding.

By working with our team, accent startups significantly increase the chance of a positive funding submission and successful financing rounds.

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