The RegenAg Challenge
The RegenAg Challenge is a global initiative designed to shape the future of regenerative agriculture. This challenge connects startups with industry leaders, providing a unique opportunity to adapt and pilot cutting-edge technologies.
Our programme offers mentorship, real-world testing environments, and access to extensive research infrastructure, with the opportunity to compete for a funded proof of concept (POC).
The RegenAg Challenge is searching for startups that meet the following criteria:
Focus Area
Soil health
& biodiversity
Water management & conservation
Sustainable farming practices
Climate resilience in agriculture
AI-driven agricultural solutions and data
Supply chain sustainability & traceability
Product Stage
Minimum prototype or MVP required
Commitment to the Programme
Full participation in workshops, mentoring, and pilot projects
Requirements
Your Next Testing Ground
MIGAL, in collaboration with Granot and the Upper Galilee Regional Council, is part of a European consortium led by EIT Food. This consortium is establishing living labs—real-world testing environments—in six countries to advance carbon farming and regenerative practices. Each lab will feature up to 20 research plots developed with local farmers.
Win a Fully Funded POC
The winning companies from each corporate track will secure a funded Proof of Concept (POC) at MIGAL’s living labs, along with exclusive access to a global network of leading multinational corporations. This is your opportunity to turn your cutting-edge solutions into real-world impact.
Join Our Unique Programme
RegenAg Challenge is open to global startups looking to make an impact in regenerative agriculture.
Participating startups will benefit from:
Access to global challenges
Extensive research infrastructure
Real-world testing environment
Guidance & feedback from mentors
Programme Syllabus
Session 1
Virtual Opening Session
3 December 2024
Orientation and introduction with programme participants.
Overview of the programme, mentors & agenda.
Session 2
Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture
December 10, 2024
Opening Remarks and Agenda Overview
Background: where climate change and global warming meets RegenAg
Regenerative Agriculture: principles, practices, and values
Impact Measurement
Success Stories from Europe and and Israel
1:1 Corporate-Startup Session
December 11, 2024
Individual working sessions between participating startups and corporate partners to initiate POC design and collaboration.
Session 3
Addressing Key Challenges
January 7, 2025
Opening Remarks and Agenda
Regulatory Considerations
Introduction to Regulation and ESG
Opportunities, Consortiums, and Funding
Scalability Strategies
Economic Model
Branding Strategies
1:1 Corporate-Startup Session
January 8, 2025
Follow-up working sessions between participating startups and corporate partners to refine POC design and collaboration.
Session 4
Technology, Industry, and POC Design
January 21, 2025
The future of RegenAg : White spaces in technology
Industry Collaboration Models: Case Studies
POC Design Guidelines
1:1 Corporate-Startup Session
January 22, 2025
Continued working sessions focused on finalising POC design and alignment with corporate objectives.
Session 5
Onsite Visit
February 4, 2025
Onsite visit and broadcasted tour for online participants.
1:1 Corporate-Startup Session
February 5, 2025
Final working sessions to prepare POC presentations and next steps.
Demo Day
TBD
Speakers & Mentors
Hadar Sutovsky
General Manager, ICL Planet Startup Hub & VP Corporate Investments
ICL Group
Kristal Golan
Head of New Protein Solutions
BayWa
Gadi Kenny
Co-founder
RegenIL, The Hub for Regenerative Agriculture
Dana Kedar
Director
GrowingIL
Tina Horsky
Director Economic Affairs
Bavarian Office, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy
Nativ Rotbart, PhD
Soil, Water, and Environment Researcher
Shamir Research Institute
Dr. Hadassa Waterman
Head of the biotech department
The Ehrlich Group
Ziv Kohav
Open Innovation Lead
ICL Group
Dr. Roman Werner
Managing Director
TUM Venture Lab FAB
Yael Meltzer
CEO
RegenIL, The Hub for Regenerative Agriculture
Ori Ben-Herzel
VP of Value Creation
MIGAL Galilee Research Institute
Maayan Sharon
Innovation & Business Creation Manager
EIT Hub Israel
Liron Israely
CEO
Adama Haya
Aart van ‘t Land
Venture & Business Development
Grem Partners LTD
Adi Perelman, PhD
Ag-Science researcher
ICL Group
Christine Marie von der Ohe
Global Business Development Agriculture
Festo
Sarai Kemp
Agrifood Investor
-
Eric Benmeir Kozakow
Regenerative Agriculture and Agrivoltaics Project Lead / Co-Founder
MIGAL Galilee Research Institute / RegenIL, The Hub for Regenerative Agriculture
Roni Bar-Shalev
Head of Innovation and Sustainability
Herzog Strategic
Lior Avishai
Head Agronomist
Zemach Agricultural Technologies
Efrat Segal
Business Strategy Consultant
Business Development, Go to market, B2B Strategy, ESG Strategy & Innovation.
The Context Network
Dr. Itamar Nadav
Head of Research & Innovation Agronomy department
Netafim
Kish Johnson
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Advancing Eco Agriculture (a John Kempf company)
Ilanit Kabessa
Managing Partner
URIKA PARTNERS
Florian Obermayer
Deputy Head of Division
Foreign Economic Relations
Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy
Alon Maor
Director, Soil Conservation & Sustainable Agriculture Division Natural Resources & Environmental Management Unit
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Shira Goren
Hub Leader
IL Savory
Anthony Corsaro
Co-Founder & President
ReGen Brands
Programme Timeline
18 September 2024
Launch event
November 2024
Evaluation & Selection
February 2025
Demo day
September 2024
Challenge launch
6 November 2024
Application Deadline
December-January 2025
Startup Programme (2 months)
2025
POC Phase
Organisers
As Israel’s AgTech community, GrowingIL aims to develop the Israeli AgTech ecosystem, reshape Israeli agriculture, position Israel as a global center for AgTech innovation and promote the implementation of breakthrough technologies.
We are a joint initiative of the Israel Innovation Institute, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Agriculture, and Israel Innovation Authority.
EIT Food is Europe's leading food innovation initiative. It brings together key players to make the food system more sustainable, healthy, and trusted. Projects range from sustainable agriculture to consumer trust, empowering consumers and transforming the food industry.
MIGAL Research Institute, based in Israel's Upper Galilee, is a leading multidisciplinary applied research center. It focuses on agriculture, food, environmental sciences, and biotechnology. Known for its innovation, MIGAL fosters collaborations between academia, industry, and government, driving sustainable technologies and solutions that support regional development and global academic advancement.
The Office of the Free State of Bavaria in Tel Aviv actively promotes cooperation between Bavarian and Israeli actors on a wide range of fields, thereby expanding and deepening the close relations with Israel. An important aspect in maintaining and cultivating Bavarian-Israeli relations lies in the fields of economic affairs, culture, education and academic exchange.
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) drives innovation in Europe by connecting over 2,420 organizations across business, education, and research. Through its Global Outreach initiative, including hubs in Silicon Valley, Israel, and the UK, EIT promotes international collaboration, with EIT Hub Israel focusing on ecosystem learning and introducing advanced Israeli technologies to benefit Europe.
The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs as part of the Bavarian State Government focuses on maintaining Bavaria's competitive edge, supporting startups, and creating opportunities in future-oriented industries and applications. The ministry strives to deepen Bavaria-Israel relations, particularly in AgriFood Tech, energy, mobility, health, and Industry 4.0 and strives to help expanding Bavarian companies in Israel as well as Israeli companies in Bavaria.
Ecosystem Partners
