TL;DR: Top Insights on European Agritech in 2025
European agritech boomed in H1 2025 with significant investments targeting practical, sustainable farming solutions. This shift highlights a focus on tangible environmental benefits through scalable technologies.
• Major deals included €39M for Iceland’s First Water (sustainable aquaculture) and €13M for Belgium’s Fyteko (drought-resilient biostimulants).
• Key trends emphasize sustainability metrics, efficiency, and immediate impact over abstract theories.
• Founders should prioritize data-driven solutions, scalability potential, and partnerships to attract investors.
Call-to-action: Create scalable, sustainability-driven innovations to lead in this thriving sector.
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European agritech is carving a powerful niche, and the first half (H1) of 2025 was no exception. As a founder myself, powered by years of entrepreneurial experience across industries, I find the current wave of investments fascinating not just for the sums of money being raised but the profound implications they have for sustainability and innovation. What’s clear is this: 2025 marked a shift toward practical agritech solutions with immediate benefits for environment-conscious food production and farming. Let’s dive into the biggest deals that shaped the sector this year.
What were the biggest European agritech deals in H1 2025?
The European agritech market saw some impressive funding rounds in the first half of 2025. From sustainable aquaculture to vertical farming automation, the investments spanned a diverse range of technologies aimed at modernizing agriculture while reducing environmental strain. Below are the top deals that grabbed headlines.
- First Water (€39M, Iceland): This company focuses on closed-containment aquaculture systems for sustainable Atlantic salmon farming. Their renewable energy-powered design reduces biohazard risks and environmental impact. Learn more from First Water’s official webpage.
- Fyteko (€13M, Belgium): A bio-based solutions startup working on delivering advanced plant biostimulants and drought-resilient products. These innovations target chemical reduction and smarter crop adaptation. Visit Fyteko to explore their approach.
- Doktar (€7.5M, Türkiye): Leveraging IoT and AI, this platform provides farmers with actionable insights on optimizing soil, weather data, and costs. The precision in their analytics has secured widespread adoption. Explore Doktar at this link.
- Agteria Biotech (€6M, Sweden): A company developing methane-reducing feed additives for cattle and thereby tackling one of agriculture’s biggest environmental challenges. Learn more from their funding story.
- Avisomo (€5M, Norway): Specialized in automated vertical farming, Avisomo’s modular designs are reimagining year-round crop production for energy-efficient food systems. Discover more at Avisomo.
- BiocSol (€4.4M, Belgium): With innovations in biofungicides and biostimulants, BiocSol is reshaping crop protection and resilience strategies across Europe. Learn more directly at BiocSol’s website.
- Antler Bio ($4.3M, Ireland): Their gene-based dairy herd management software, EpiHerd, uses predictive analytics to optimize operations and improve milk yield and animal health.
- Collie (€3.5M, Netherlands): Focused on reducing food waste, Collie uses AI to predict demand and optimize fresh produce supply chains. Learn about this funding round here.
- BlueRedGold (€2.73M, Sweden): This startup is automating saffron cultivation, reducing water consumption while prioritizing quality and traceability. Details about their funding are available here.
- Fotenix (£2.1M, United Kingdom): Combining disease detection technology for farmers with photocatalytic CO₂ capture solutions, Fotenix bridges technology and sustainability in farming.
What is driving agritech’s growth, and what does this mean for founders?
As someone who has navigated the entrepreneurial waters of Europe, I can confidently say that agritech is growing thanks to its clear alignment with societal demands for sustainability, resource efficiency, and food security. What stood out to me in these funding rounds is the noticeable shift in investor mindset. Instead of chasing the most revolutionary technology, now a banned word, they are prioritizing startups with immediate, tangible impact backed by science.
- This means founders need to focus on technical depth over hype. Investors are tired of lofty promises without results.
- Climate resilience is the focal point, solutions like methane reduction through feed additives or carbon capture technologies were heavily funded.
- Efficiency in farming processes, whether in vertical or aquaculture systems, is more attractive to modern investors than overly ambitious ideas.
- Practical agritech with proven scalability will scale faster than theoretical concepts.
What lessons can founders learn from these deals?
Founders keen to enter the agritech space will benefit from narrowing their focus on sustainability metrics and actionable solutions. Investors are looking for clarity, data-driven outcomes, and alignment with market trends.
- Be ready to show sustainability metrics, how does your product reduce emissions, make farming more efficient, or improve food systems?
- Tech that enhances farming yields without draining resources is the golden ticket, think about how vertical farming or IoT-driven approaches can cut inefficiencies.
- Founders must consider scalability early. Many investors questioned whether high-tech solutions could realistically scale across regions and farming operations.
As someone who designs startup games, I would also add that simulation can play an enormous role in preparing founders for market entry. By testing scenarios in controlled spaces, much like the funded agritech solutions have done, founders can prototype growth strategies before scaling in the unpredictable real world.
What does the future of European agritech look like?
Given the trends we’re seeing, agritech will increasingly rely on local solutions that address global challenges. From methane-mitigating feedstocks to modular vertical farming systems, Europe is uniquely positioned to lead the way for efficient, scalable agritech innovation. As entrepreneurs, we are witnessing the move toward localized solutions and sustainable food production, where technology is both a bridge and a transformation tool.
As founders, staying ahead of these trends means partnering deeply with farmers, modeling solutions with real-world scenarios, and moving beyond the technology itself to demonstrate environmental commitment. Investors are increasingly interrogating the longevity and resilience of agritech startups, focusing not just on the potential but proven resilience in deployment.
In my experience, the beauty (and challenge) of agritech as a sector lies precisely in its complexity. But it’s also proof that innovation has to work hand-in-hand with accessibility and scalability. If you’re an entrepreneur ready to tackle this sector, start with practical solutions and a commitment to long-term environmental balance.
Conclusion: What steps should budding agritech founders take?
Having analyzed these deals and current investment trends, it’s clear that the future is both exciting and challenging for agritech founders.
- Focus on measurable sustainability. Investors prioritize products that reflect accountability and proven impact.
- Start prototyping and iterating to find scalable solutions, vertical farming, IoT, or biocontrol systems are all great starting points.
- Model your funding pitch clearly. Avoid jargon and present a straightforward narrative around immediate impact and scaling potential.
- Consider alternative methods like simulation-based startup games to refine strategies and scale ideas efficiently.
- Partner up! Big wins in Europe are increasingly tied to partnerships, such as distribution agreements or tech integrations with food systems.
As a founder, make your idea the one they can’t say no to, not for its theoretical wow factor but for the tangible difference it delivers today. Trust the process, scale smartly, and find your niche in this high-potential sector. Agritech, when done thoughtfully, can solve some of the world’s most pressing problems, and founders like you are at the heart of it.
FAQ on the Biggest European Agritech Deals in H1 2025
What were the major agritech funding deals in Europe in H1 2025?
The biggest agritech deals in Europe during the first half of 2025 involved innovative startups addressing sustainability and food security challenges. Notable deals included €39 million raised by Iceland's First Water for sustainable aquaculture systems and €13 million secured by Belgium's Fyteko for plant-based bio-solutions. Other key deals included €7.5 million for Türkiye’s Doktar, focused on AI and IoT for farming, and €6 million for Sweden’s Agteria Biotech to tackle methane emissions from cattle. Read more about these deals on Tech.eu
Which company raised the highest funding, and what is their focus?
First Water, an Iceland-based agritech company, raised the highest funding of €39 million in H1 2025. Their focus is on developing closed-containment aquaculture systems powered by renewable energy. These systems ensure sustainable Atlantic salmon farming while reducing environmental risks and biohazards. Learn more about First Water
How is sustainable aquaculture shaping European agritech?
Sustainable aquaculture, as demonstrated by First Water, is gaining traction in Europe. By addressing the environmental strain of traditional fish farming, technologies like closed-containment systems are providing eco-friendly ways to meet growing seafood demands. These systems use renewable energy, reduce biohazards, and maintain biodiversity by containing waste effectively. Explore sustainable aquaculture at First Water
What role does AI play in agritech investing?
AI played a significant role in several notable agritech startups funded in H1 2025, such as Türkiye's Doktar and the Netherlands' Collie. Doktar offers AI-driven tools to optimize farming efficiency using soil and weather data, while Collie uses AI for demand forecasting to reduce food waste in supply chains. These developments highlight the increasing reliance on AI for enhancing resource management and sustainability. Discover more about Doktar at their official website
Why is biostimulant technology attracting agritech funding?
Belgium’s Fyteko raised €13 million to develop drought-resilient biostimulant products, illustrating the rising demand for bio-based crop enhancers. These technologies reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and aid plants in adapting to climate change, offering eco-friendly solutions for growing crops in challenging environments. Learn more about Fyteko
How is vertical farming evolving within agritech?
Avisomo, a Norwegian startup, raised €5 million in 2025 to further automate vertical farming. Their modular systems improve year-round crop production with minimal energy use and human intervention. Vertical farming innovations like Avisomo's emphasize efficiency in controlled-environment agriculture, ensuring consistent food production in urban areas. Explore Avisomo’s vertical farming solutions
What are methane-reducing feed additives, and why are they important?
Agteria Biotech from Sweden raised €6 million to develop methane-reducing feed additives for cattle, targeting one of agriculture’s largest greenhouse gas contributors. These innovations are crucial for combating climate change by improving livestock sustainability without compromising productivity. Read more about Agteria Biotech’s funding
How are agritech startups leveraging IoT for farming?
Türkiye's Doktar shows how IoT can transform agriculture. Their platform provides real-time data and actionable insights to help farmers improve cost efficiency and sustainability. IoT tools like Doktar’s enable precision agriculture, enhancing crop yields and reducing waste. Check out Doktar’s solutions
What is Europe’s role in addressing global agritech challenges?
Europe has taken the lead in solving agricultural challenges through aggressive investment in innovative startups. Companies like First Water and Agteria are implementing scalable solutions to reduce environmental impacts while addressing food security. These efforts underscore Europe's commitment to sustainable and efficient agritech innovation.
How can founders in agritech prepare for funding success?
To attract funding in agritech, founders should focus on providing measurable sustainability metrics, scalable solutions, and data-driven results. Investors in H1 2025 prioritized startups with immediate impacts, such as reducing carbon footprints or enhancing farming efficiency. For example, BlueRedGold’s automated saffron farming system is a prime example of scaling a niche crop sustainably. Discover more about BlueRedGold’s automated solution
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
