Meet the 12 Agtech Startups Selected in Bayer’s LatAm Program

Following a competitive process that attracted 175 proposals, 20 startups from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay have been selected to proceed to the second stage of the “Legacy: Innovation with Impact” program. The initiative, driven by Bayer and the Argentine Entrepreneurs Association (ASEA), aims to foster innovative solutions in health and agriculture, with a focus on creating positive impacts on local communities.

The program targets startups developing technological and scientific solutions to address social and local challenges in the fields of health and agriculture. Out of the selected ventures, several are focused on agriculture. These startups are using cutting-edge technology and sustainable approaches to tackle issues within the sector. In the coming weeks, the selected entrepreneurs will present their projects to a panel of experts, which will decide on the five final winners of the 2024 edition of the program.

Here are the agriculture-related startups selected for the second stage:

Paraguay:

• Smart Soil PY: Uses AI and advanced technology to predict plant diseases before they emerge, improving the effectiveness of fungicides and reducing chemical use.

Bolivia:

• Hola Tractor: Provides affordable mechanization services to smallholder farmers via a digital platform, improving working conditions and attracting younger generations to agriculture.
• FarmerCoach: An AI-powered chatbot offering real-time, site-specific agricultural insights through data from mobile devices, satellite images, and sensors, helping small farmers improve productivity and environmental sustainability.
• Banana Pack: Develops biodegradable biopolymers from banana cultivation waste for the encapsulation of fertilizers and pesticides, enhancing agricultural efficiency and reducing environmental contamination.

Uruguay:

• Metabix Biotech: Integrates biotechnology and AI to predict diseases affecting plants, animals, and humans, helping prevent food loss and reducing the use of antibiotics and pesticides.

Chile:

• Finka: Chile’s first agricultural crowdfunding platform, enabling small and large investors to fund high-yield agricultural projects while promoting sustainable farming practices.
• Cer Analytics: A business intelligence platform that integrates key agricultural data to improve decision-making, increase crop yield, and optimize resource use through near-real-time information.
• Neutral Farming: An Agtech-Climatech company promoting regenerative agriculture by rewarding farmers for soil restoration and carbon sequestration through their digital platform.

Argentina:

• APOLO Biotech: Develops biotechnological solutions for sustainable agricultural production, reducing synthetic pesticide use and protecting crops from extreme weather.
• Nativas: Focuses on incorporating natural habitats and biodiversity into agricultural systems, fostering local green jobs and transitioning towards regenerative agriculture.
• Agrojusto: An e-commerce platform that connects small farmers directly with consumers and businesses, promoting fair trade and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Growcast: Allows growers to remotely monitor and control farming variables and equipment, providing traceability and optimizing resource use in every stage of cultivation.

In addition to the primary selections, two startups received special recognition for their innovative contributions to the agricultural sector. Ucrop.it fosters meaningful connections between farmers and agri-food companies, emphasizing education and sustainable practices to create significant environmental impacts through regenerative agriculture. Wiagro offers advanced monitoring tools for producers and agribusinesses, utilizing satellite technology and IoT devices to assess grain and food quality, helping to prevent losses during storage and aligning with sustainable development goals.

For more information about the program visit Bayer’s Legado website.