EC Deep Tech Incubation & Exploitation Expert at Da Vinci Labs (DVL) | Project Manager at DVL for Seeds of Bravery | Founder & President of ATG SynBio Spain | Venture Fellow at iGEM Startups
Why I feel #SynBio will disrupt the #agro industry and #Spain (and #Almeria) will occupy a leadership position? 🌱 (2/ñ) This is a complex theme, but I was eager to tackle it, especially after Chema Oliva's comment on my last post about #foodtech (take a look if you haven't yet) 👀 Last year, I dedicated a significant amount of time to studying how to foster the synbio and bioentrepreneurship ecosystem in Spain. Unsurprisingly, the intersection with #agtech took up most of my focus, heavily influenced by my time living in my hometown: Almeria 🌞 You probably already know that there are major limitations across the country (similar to other parts of Europe): the lack of wet lab spaces and the insufficient connection between academia and industry, alongside a weak collaboration network among stakeholders 🌐. These challenges are common in deep tech, including market education, long sales cycles, and regulatory barriers 📉📜 On the other hand, Spain, particularly regions in the Mediterranean part boasts tremendous production capabilities. Not for nothing is Almería known as the "greenhouse of Europe," with its greenhouses being the only human-made structures visible from space (not the Great Wall of China! 🧱). Let's get to the point: Spain's climate, tradition, and industry make it a true powerhouse for agricultural innovation 🌿. Tomatoes, peppers, olive oil, citrus fruits, cucumbers... you name it, we're a reference While this highlights production, the need for natural products in R&D, including #synbio (aka engineering biology), is evident, especially post-#greendeal 🌾. For example, the latest Capgemini #synbio report (by Richard Traherne and his team) highlights that 57% of agriculture executives see biofertilizers as having a high impact on their industry 💡 Okay, and what about wet lab spaces and a better-connected ecosystem? 🤝 Well, I am not exaggerating when I say that only this year, several #agtech #hubs offering lab space have been announced across the country: Cataluña (Lleida), Valencia (Parc Científic de la Universitat de València), Andalusia, etc In fact, focusing on Andalusia, the Junta de Andalucía (Andalusian government) is promoting a hub for the agroindustry, collaborating with the government, #VC (Startup Wise Guys), and relevant #stakeholders Even more! There are great companies like Kimitec or Biorizon Biotech (both based in Almeria) that have been producing biofertilizers for several years. But Spain also has #synbio #spinoffs like Madeinplant, reprogramming plants to improve their agronomic traits or use them as biofactories 🏭 So yeah, I predict a bright future for #SynBio and the #bioeconomy landscape in Spain, where #agtech will be crucial. I will talk about other relevant stakeholders and the intersection of synbio and other fields like #health in other posts. Stay tuned!! 🌟 PS: The photo was taken at Bayer's #LifeHub #DemoDay in #Barcelona (#LifehubBCN), where we explored the #agtech landscape 🤺
Fran Antequera
4mo
The post about some great recent developments in #synbio, #foodtech, and specifically in the Spanish bioeconomy is below. I also recommend checking out Andrii Shekhirev's latest post, as he shared amazing information about other super interesting foodtech updates 🧫 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/franantequera_synbio-spanish-bioeconomy-activity-7222870972540813313-Nywu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Chema Oliva
4mo
I completely agree Fran Antequera. I would like to make a few comments on your post to add some value. Spain and especially Andalusia, as you say, are known as the pantry of Europe. However, we tend to stay in the primary value and lose traction when generating added value. You know, traditionally our economy tends towards the primary sector (food) and services (sun and beach). The simple example, what adds more value: tomatoes, cheese and flour or producing and selling a pizza? If we call this example innovation, if we are able to generate innovation based on the good science of the country and apply it from minute 0 instead of buying the technology of others to produce Europe's food, we are generating wealth, generating quality employment and competing in value instead of price. It is a win-win in every sense.
I’m a bit late, but this is super interesting! I think you’ll need to turn this post into a series or a must-follow 👀 because the buzz about great and big things happening in agrotech from Andalusia (specifically Almería) is getting louder 🔊. It’s high time to honor its title, foster innovation, and build bridges from here to infinity and beyond, especially being the place with the highest concentration of greenhouses in the 🌍. By the way, great choice of photo 😉. For my colleague Ana and me, it was a fruitful yet intense trip 🫢😁.
Chema Oliva
4mo
By the way, to add a little more spice to your post, I am totally convinced that if Spanish agricultural cooperatives diversified their return on investment by acting as venture capital in biotech startups, Spain would become a leading economic power.
Richard Traherne
4mo
Great work Fran Antequera in maintaining a spotlight on the pioneering #EngineeringBiology being undertaken in Spain, and the role and opportunity that the country has in the global #Agritech market. I'm glad that the Capgemini report https://bit.ly/3ypSfNY was helpful in supporting your work and look forward to speaking again soon!
EC Deep Tech Incubation & Exploitation Expert at Da Vinci Labs (DVL) | Project Manager at DVL for Seeds of Bravery | Founder & President of ATG SynBio Spain | Venture Fellow at iGEM Startups
4moBy the way, thank you so much Simon Maechling, Oliver Bering, and the entire Bayer | Crop Science and EIT Food EIT Food Accelerator Network for inviting ATG SynBio Spain and organizing such an amazing event. Bayer's significant investment, along with other major agriculture corporations, is another reason why I believe it's a great moment for #agtech and #synbio in Spain 🌟