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Investments Up 18% in 2025 as Startups Multiply and Over 4,400 New Jobs Are Created
While global venture capital flows into agrifoodtech are slowing, Italy is moving decisively in the opposite direction. In 2025, investments in the Italian agrifoodtech sector rose by 18 percent, reaching €121.6 million compared to €103 million in 2024. The figures emerge from the latest Report on the State of AgriFoodTech in Italy, prepared by Eatable Adventures for the Verona Agrifood Innovation Hub, the country’s leading development center for the agrifoodtech ecosystem.
The data paints a striking contrast with international trends. Globally, agrifoodtech investments declined by 12 percent, while Europe recorded a 3.7 percent drop. Against this backdrop, Italy’s performance signals not only resilience but structural transformation. According to Alberto Barbari, Regional VP Italy at Eatable Adventures, 2025 marks a turning point for the Italian agrifood system. While much of Europe is experiencing a contraction, Italy is accelerating, thanks to an ecosystem that has reached a critical mass of expertise, capital, and industrial vision.
Fewer Micro-Investments, More Major Rounds
One of the most significant indicators of maturity is the change in investment composition. Micro-investments under €350,000 have decreased substantially, falling from 60 percent of total deals to 42 percent. At the same time, funding rounds exceeding €1 million have surged dramatically, rising from 12.4 percent in 2024 to 39.4 percent in 2025.
This shift reflects growing confidence among specialized investors and the increasing presence of international funds targeting Italian startups. The ecosystem is no longer driven primarily by early-stage experimentation but by larger, more structured investments capable of supporting scale-ups and long-term growth strategies.
The increase in capital has been accompanied by a sharp rise in the number of startups operating nationwide. In 2025, Italy counts 501 agrifoodtech startups, a 23 percent increase compared to the previous year. The expansion of the entrepreneurial base is not only quantitative but also qualitative, as evidenced by the growing size of funding rounds and the professionalization of founding teams.
Strong Employment Impact
The sector’s momentum is also translating into tangible employment gains. In 2025, agrifoodtech startups generated 4,410 new jobs, marking a remarkable 47 percent increase year-on-year. This job creation underscores the sector’s role as a driver of innovation-led growth and highlights its capacity to combine technological advancement with economic and social impact.
Agrifoodtech, which integrates digital technologies, biotechnology, sustainability solutions, and advanced production systems into agriculture and food supply chains, is increasingly seen as a strategic lever for Italy. The country’s strong agricultural tradition, combined with world-renowned food production and processing capabilities, provides fertile ground for innovation.
Northern Italy Leads the Way
Geographically, the ecosystem shows a strong concentration in northern Italy. Lombardia stands out as the primary national hub, accounting for 28.1 percent of the most innovative projects. The region benefits from a dense industrial fabric, access to financial markets, and a network of universities and research centres that foster collaboration between academia and business.
Following Lombardy are Piemonte with 11.7 percent and Emilia-Romagna with 10.9 percent. Both regions combine strong agro-industrial traditions with advanced manufacturing capabilities and robust support infrastructures for startups.
The northeast also confirms its vitality. Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige each account for 7.8 percent of innovative projects, reinforcing the idea that agrifoodtech development is deeply intertwined with established agricultural districts and export-oriented production systems.
The Profile of Italian Founders
Behind this growth lies a new generation of highly qualified entrepreneurs. The average Italian agrifoodtech founder is 38.7 years old and exceptionally well-educated. More than 90 percent hold a university degree, and 35.2 percent possess a PhD—placing Italy among the European leaders in terms of academic preparation within the sector.
Experience is another defining characteristic. Over half of founders (53.1 percent) are serial entrepreneurs who have previously launched and managed startups. Their expertise in business management, fundraising, and scaling provides a competitive edge in attracting investors and navigating complex markets.
Moreover, 73 percent of founders bring prior experience in the agrifood sector. This deep understanding of market dynamics and supply chain challenges allows them to develop solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also commercially viable and aligned with real industry needs.
A Maturing Ecosystem
The convergence of stronger capital flows, higher-quality founders, regional specialization, and significant job creation suggests that Italy’s agrifoodtech ecosystem has entered a new phase of maturity. Rather than chasing short-term trends, it appears to be consolidating its strengths in sustainable innovation, industrial integration, and international competitiveness.
As global markets adjust to tighter funding conditions, Italy’s countercyclical growth sends a clear signal. The country is not merely keeping pace with technological transformation in agriculture and food systems—it is positioning itself as a leading European player in shaping their future.
Alessandro Fiorentino