El Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación launches the 2nd edition of ‘StartBEC’ for start-ups in the agri-food bio-economy

The Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación is launching the second edition of the ‘StartBEC’ programme, an initiative in collaboration with the AINIA technology centre that offers free advice and technological support to start-ups in the field of the bioeconomy. ‘StartBEC’ has a technological orientation, focusing on providing information, advice, technology and the essential tools to overcome the technical challenges that arise during the development and launch of innovative processes and products in the agri-food market.

This second edition of the programme is part of the extension of the collaboration agreement between the Ministry and AINIA, which has a total budget of 750,000 euros until 2026, of which the Ministry will provide 625,000 euros. It will offer free individualised technological advice and support to the selected start-ups, so that they can carry out trials or pilot studies to test processes or products; experience innovation dynamics with experts to develop technological aspects of their business model or access intensive professional technological seminars at AINIA. They will also continue with the personalised technology watch service and support in identifying and participating in R&D&I funding opportunities.

The first year of ‘StartBEC’ has allowed the creation of a community with more than eighty start-ups that, thanks to the promotion of innovative technologies, have developed different projects in areas such as the production of algae, insects or fungi, as a basis for new high-value products, such as fertilisers or more sustainable biomaterials. The impact of the programme has also spilled over into other areas, such as rural development.

The presentation day of this second edition is scheduled to take place on 23 September at the Ministry’s headquarters.