Italy's agri-food market, the third-largest in the EU, generated over €65 billion in 2023, constituting 3.8% of the national economy. The sector boasts 740,000 agricultural companies, 330,000 catering businesses, 70,000 food industries, and 4 million workers. The Agri-Foodtech sector is witnessing a surge, with around 340 startups active and €167 million invested in 2023, marking a 9.8% increase from the previous year. The first Italian Report on the state of Foodtech, by Eatable Adventures, reveals insights into the startups' geographical distribution, investments, and the sector's overall landscape. Northern Italy dominates with 30.5% based in Lombardy, emphasizing the region's entrepreneurial activity. Startups predominantly emerged between 2022 and 2023, demonstrating a growing interest in innovation for addressing agri-food supply chain challenges. Italian Foodtech startups often have compact teams (1-5 employees), with 13% having 6-10 employees. The average age is 35.6 years, showcasing agility and room for development. Remarkably, 32% of startups have female founders, surpassing the national average. Startups focus on four categories: Agritech, Food Production and Processing, Retail & Distribution, and Restaurant Tech & Delivery. Food Production and Processing dominate at 36%. Notably, 43% of Food Production and Processing startups innovate with new ingredients, while 33% of Agritech focuses on new cultivation systems. The startups exhibit a high level of autonomous development (70%), underlining solid technological maturity. Artificial intelligence is the most used technology (42.86%), followed by machine learning (37.14%) and biotechnology (32.38%).
Regarding intellectual property, 54.3% use trademark registration, 40% own at least one patent, and 19% rely on trade secrecy. In 2023, Italian Foodtech startups raised €167 million, showcasing a 9% growth compared to 2022. Investments highlight confidence in the segment's growth potential, with significant contributions from programs like Foodseed. The startups identify international investor attraction, support from the Italian food industry, participation in global events, knowledge sharing, and simplified access to public aid as crucial resources for their development. Italy aims to bolster its global competitiveness, embracing innovation to shape a sustainable, efficient, and dynamic future for its food industry.
