AGRIFOOD SUMMIT 2025

Join us October 28-29 for two days of Agrifood-focused networking, startup pitches, site visits, and panel discussions, all in the beautiful Basilicata region of Italy. Want to join us? Sign up below! 

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28-29 October 2025

Matera, Basilicata, italy

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Event Programme

Arrival day for the DEEPSEA Agrifood Ecosystem Accelerator. 

Venue: House of Emerging Technology, Matera

  • Arrival until 15:00
  • 17:00 – 18:00: Onboarding and Workshop

Venue: Casa Cava, Matera

Event Schedule:*

  • 9:00 – 10:00: Check-in and Welcome
  • 10:00 – 10:20: Opening Remarks
  • 10:20 – 10:45: Keynote on the Future of Mediterranean Agrifood
  • 10:45 – 12:30: Pitches by Smarterra Ambassador Startups, powered by RootCamp
  • 12:30 – 13:15: Lunch
  • 13:15 – 13:55: Bringing the World to Matera: Digital Innovation and Job Creation
  • 13:55 – 14:00: Short break
  • 14:00 – 14:40: Investing in AgriFood: New models & challenges
  • 14:40 – 15:20: High-Tech Agrifood: Space, AI, and self-driving vehicles
  • 15:20 – 15:30: Coffee Break
  • 15:30 – 16:10: Farming for the Future: Sustainability and Biodiversity in Agrifood
  • 16:10 – 16:50: Food and Culture
  • 16:50 – 17:20: Matera: Mediterranean Capital of Culture 2026
  • 17:20 – 17:30: Closing Remarks
  • 17:30 – 17:50: Break and transition to networking
  • 17:50 – 19:30: Matchmaking and Networking Sessions, powered by DEEP Ecosystems
  • 20:00 – 23:30: Cooking Demonstration and Tasting with professional chef at Hotel Palazzo Viceconte

*Please note that this agenda is subject to change, and more information about the panels and speakers will be added as they become available. 

Venue: Agrivanda, about 1:45 from Matera. 

Agrivanda is a new technological and agri-environmental hub for the Agri Valley in Basilicata. A development model that focuses on innovation, technology and sustainability to combine growth, inclusion and the environment.

Event Schedule:*

  • 8:00 – 8:30: Meet for departure to Agrivanda
  • 8:30 SHARP: Depart for Agrivanda
  • 10:30: Arrival at Agrivanda
  • 10:45 – 12:15: Tour of Agrivanda
  • 12:15 – 13:30: Stakeholder Presentations
  • 13:30 – 14:30: Stakeholder Symposium
  • 14:30 – 15:30: Startup Matchmaking
  • 15:30: Depart Agrivanda 
  • 17:00: Guided tour of the ghost town Craco
  • 18:30: Depart for Matera

*Please note that the exact agenda and timing are subject to change. More information will be added as it becomes available.  

*Please note that this agenda is subject to change, and more information about the panels and speakers will be added as they become available. 

Venue: House of Emerging Technology, Matera

DEEPSEA Agrifood Ecosystem Accelerator Day 4

Schedule:

  • 10:00 – 11:00: Interactive Session: Understanding Best Practices of Ecosystem Building (With hybrid participation opportunities!)
    • Analysis of Ecosystem Project UVPs of leading Ecosystem Hubs like Station F, UnternehmerTUM, and Startup Chile
    • Mapping Systemic Barriers to Market Growth
  • 11:00 – 11:15 Coffee Break
  • 11:15 – 12:30: AI-Powered Interactive Workshop on AgriFood Ecosystems 
    • We provide access to a unique AI tool to explore all findings of the 2 year project “Smarterra powered by SMAFINE” and use it to discuss Challenges  and Opportunities in Agrifood
      based on data findings in 2x Break-Out Sessions:
      • Group 1: Innovation in Rural Locations & Connectivity
      • Group 2: Industry Collaboration + Policy Making
  • 12:30 – 13:30 Lunch & Networking
  • 13:30 – 14:30: EU Funding Opportunities in Agrifood Mixer
    • Agriculture and Food are core priorities of the EU and other funding bodies. We are diving into upcoming opportunities like Horizon, the LIFE program, EMFAF, etc.
    • All participants will have a chance to share their focus areas and unique contributions to possible consortia.
    • New partnerships will be actively supported to submit applications.
    • Hybrid participation is possible. 
  • 14:30 – 17:00: Wine & Technology: Foresight workshop by Winno Accelerator

    • Italian Wine meets disruptive technology from biotechnology to AI. Explore current industry trends in an interactive foresight exercise with Winno Accelerator, a specialist on finding the best wine tech companies in the world.
      Wine will be served – obviously.
      *Hybrid participation is possible (except for the wine)

9:00 – 10:00 Wrap-Up and Invitation of Projects to the DEEPSEA Agrifood Program

From 10:00 individual departures

Want to join us in Matera?

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Smarterra Pitch Competition

Powered by SMAFINE

Calling all AgriFood startups!

Want to pitch your solution on the stage of an event packed with investors, corporates, and press?

Join us October 28-29 for two days of networking, startup pitches, site visits, and panel discussions, all in the beautiful Basilicata region of Italy. Learn more about the Smarterra event here. On October 28th we’re spotlighting the most innovative startups driving a smarter, greener planet. 

Pitching in front of investors in beautiful Matera is not enough? As part of the Smarterra ambassador delegation you can win the chance to represent the South of Italy at the Agritechnica, the world’s leading fair in Agritech taking place in Hannover, Germany in November 2025. 

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Are you an AgriFood Ecosystem Builder?

Join our intensive workshop program!

DEEPSEA AgriFood

Powered by SMAFINE

Extend your stay in Matera from October 27-31 and join ecosystem support organizations, agri-innovators, investors, and policymakers from across Europe and beyond to share best practices, tackle strategic challenges, and create actionable plans for sustainable growth in the agrifood sector.

Participants will benefit from interactive workshops, field visits, and networking sessions, as well as ongoing support through a global community of ecosystem builders.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and drive impactful change in agrifood innovation!

learn more
Crowded foyer at a TechBBQ event with hanging lights

What is Smarterra?

Smarterra, Powered by SMAFINE, is building tomorrow’s Mediterranean AgriFood ecosystems. Smarterra starts in the South of Italy and will inspire more regions around the world— we’re improving today’s food system for health and sustainability. Check out our homepage below and learn more about the Smarterra initiative!

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Project Consortium

Event Partners

Questions?

For inquiries, please contact the lead organizer Harry Justus, at hej@techbbq.org.

Harry Justus

Lead Organizer
Senior Project Manager, TechBBQ Email: hej@techbbq.org

Smart Agriculture & Food Innovation Ecosystem
HORIZON-EIE-2022-SCALEUP-02-01

The Smarterra activities are funded under the project SMart Agriculture & Food INnovation Ecosystem (SMAFINE) funded by the European Union’s HORIZON EUROPE research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101114215.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Advisory Board

Matthias
Ummenhofer

Managing Partner
at mojo.capital

Matthias established mojo.capital in Luxembourg  in 2014. The venture raised Mojo Digital One, Europe’s pioneering hybrid tech fund, investing in 35 esteemed VC funds and 12 prominent tech firms. He presently holds positions on the Board of Managers and Investment Committee at Bootstrap Europe.

Gudbjorg Edda
Eggertsdottir

Chairman
at Pretium

Gudbjorg has held various executive positions at Actavis Group and predecessors 1980-2014. She is a private investor and serves several boards, including Brunnur VC Fund, Brunnur II. Chairman of the Board and Council of Reykjavik University from 2022.

Erik
Wijnbladh

Director
at Rettig Group

Erik leads the global venture and growth equity investment program at Rettig Group. He has had a diverse career in venture capital, private equity, and leadership positions in IT and energy companies. Erik specialises in constructing and designing venture capital and private equity investment programs.

Thomas
Kristensen

Partner
at LGT Capital Partners

Thomas is responsible for origination, due diligence, execution and monitoring of European private equity investments at LGT Capital Partners, as well as for venture and growth equity investments.

Mark
Johnston

Managing Director at Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker

Mark is responsible for direct private investments and alternatives (LP commitments) at Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker – a subsidiary to Augustinus Foundation with long-term focus. Mark serves on several boards and Investor committees including multiples venture funds in Denmark & Europe.

Speakers at the Event