Written
25.04.2022
Author
Franzi Jost
The 2022 Growth Alliance – Rentenbank’s AgTech & FoodTech Startup Bootcamp is coming – and you want to join? Learn more about the experiences of former participants over the past years here.
Jacob Bussmann, CEO at SeedForward, enjoyed his experience in the 2018 edition of the bootcamp. Looking back, he says:
Rentenbank’s Growth Alliance 2018 was very valuable for us! In particular, the sparring with mentors and representatives of potential customers was very enriching for us. Thanks to this event, we were able to further expand our network and have been able to establish some long-term business relationships as well as contacts with other startups. We can recommend this event!
This year, Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank and TechQuartier invite you again to join one of the most prominent initiatives to support Germany’s fledgling AgTech, FoodTech and Bioeconomy Startups! The first part of this initiative is the Growth Alliance Bootcamp, which will take place on July 4-6 on-site at TechQuartier in Frankfurt and accepts applications until May 1, 2022. At the end of the bootcamp, a Demo Day (July 6) will give the startups the chance to pitch their ideas publicly and win 5.000 € in prize money to further invest into their company.
Last year, Organifarms won the bootcamp. The startup automates complex processes in indoor farming systems to make them profitable for the cultivation of fruit & vegetables. To meet their customers needs, they adjust their technology to the crop types and functions they require.
Dominik Feiden (CEO and Co-Founder) and Hannah Brown (CCO and Co-Founder) at Organifarms
At the bootcamp, we were able to connect with key industry players and received information on relevant funding opportunities that enabled us to secure our funding for the next year.
Two years ago, in 2020, the startup Spoontainable won the bootcamp. Spoontainable developed something sustainable and crispy: the Spoonie – an edible spoon, that is created out of shells from the cocoa and cereal industry. Recently, the Spoonie also has a new family member: the Twirly – an edible stirrer for your cappuccino, tea or coffee to go.
In the video, Julia Piechotta, Founder, CMO & CFO at Spoontaible, tells you about her valuable experience she made at the bootcamp two years ago.
Another startup that participated in the program and is still supported by Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank is SEAWATER Cubes. The vision of the three founders is to establish a decentralized supply of fresh sea fish. To create a sustainable alternative for future fish supply, they have developed the SEAWATER Cube.
In the picture: Carolin Ackermann, CEO & Co-Founder of SEAWATER Cubes and Jacob Bussmann, CEO Seed Forward
We participated in Rentenbank’s AgTech & FoodTech Startup Bootcamp shortly after founding SEAWATER Cubes. The participation helped us to exchange ideas with like-minded people at an early stage and to build a network to other Agri-Food Startups. We learned a lot in the pitch training and the Demoday on the big stage in front of investors was an exciting experience. We highly recommend every startup in the industry to attend! There is no other comparable event for the agri-food sector.
André Dülks, CEO and Managing Director at Feldklasse took part at the bootcamp in 2018 and still benefits from his participation: “We got a lot out of the bootcamp in 2018! Thanks to training and networking, we were able to successfully close a funding round a few months later. We learned for the first time about the funding program that is currently co-funding our product development and I met other founders that I am still friends with today. Become part of our family startup community!”
André Dülks, CEO and Managing Director at Feldklasse
About the sponsored Bootcamp
The focus of the three-day bootcamp is the advancement of innovative startups along the whole agricultural and food value chain. The program gives ten selected startups a platform to discuss their business model with industry representatives, investors and experienced company founders. Startups will also expand their network and personal skills in the process.
Over the last four years, this collaboration has helped support almost 50 German startups to gain access to a networking system and possible funding partners. This summer, the bootcamp will expand into a larger, multi-phased program. Learn more about the program and find out why you should apply. If you’re ready to rock ‘n’ roll this years bootcamp, click below!
