The BioTech2Agri project provided Italian and Slovenian small and medium-sized enterprises with concrete support for introducing biotechnological solutions in the agri-food sector. By connecting companies, research bodies and support structures, the project helped reduce the risks associated with innovation development, assess market potential, and guide companies through subsequent growth and application pathways.
Innovation Coin: An Integrated Support Pathway for Businesses
The project developed the Innovation Coin mechanism. This is not a direct financial contribution, but a structured pathway made up of four complementary services: Service 1 – technical feasibility assessment; Service 2 – business model development; Service 3 – guidance on funding sources; Service 4 – cross-border networking.
Technical Feasibility Assessment: Can the Idea Become Reality?
The first service was dedicated to the expert assessment of biotechnological ideas proposed by companies. Businesses were able to verify whether the identified solutions were suited to their raw materials, products and production processes, as well as identify any research, testing or adaptation needs.
The process included an analysis of the business and production context, meetings with biotechnology experts, and the preparation of an individual feasibility report. The service was completed by 26 SMEs, 14 Slovenian and 12 Italian. Companies gained a technical basis for deciding whether to move forward with development and identified the most suitable path toward practical application.
The service's main added value was reducing initial technological risk. Before undertaking larger investments, companies were able to test key assumptions and base subsequent decisions on expert findings.
Business Model Development: How to Turn Innovation into Value?
A technically feasible solution is not necessarily commercially viable. Service 2 helped companies translate the results of the technical assessment into a structured, market-oriented business model.
The central tool was the Business Model Canvas, through which companies defined their value proposition, target customers, sales channels, partnerships, cost structure and revenue streams. This allowed them to assess the commercial potential of their solutions and set priorities for the next stages of development.
The service was structured in two phases: online workshops were followed by individual mentoring, lasting up to five hours per company. Mentors supported companies in refining their business model, testing key assumptions, and preparing an action plan for development, commercialisation and growth. Nine participants took part in each of the workshops held in Italy and Slovenia. Companies gained a clearer picture of their customers, value proposition and business priorities, along with a more concrete plan for the next steps of development.
Guide to Funding Sources: Where to Find Resources for the Next Step?
Developing a biotechnological solution often requires resources for research, prototyping, equipment purchase, certification, intellectual property protection or production expansion. Service 3 helped companies identify European, national, regional and local financial instruments suited to their stage of development and planned investments.
The analysis took into account the characteristics of individual projects, the level of technological maturity, and the investment needs required to continue testing, support growth and bring solutions to market.
The opportunities presented included non-repayable grants, subsidised loans, vouchers and other instruments dedicated to product development, research and innovation projects, digitalisation, green transition, technological upgrading and entry into new markets.
For the Slovenian side, relevant programmes identified included the Slovene Enterprise Fund, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, SPIRIT Slovenia, the Slovenian Regional Development Fund, SID Banka, the Slovenian Eco Fund, as well as opportunities offered by local action groups and municipalities.
Among European instruments, Horizon Europe – Cluster 6, EIT Food, EIP-AGRI, the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, the EIC Accelerator and Eurostars were highlighted. For Italian companies, national and regional opportunities were also examined, including Smart&Start Italia, incentives for the circular economy, the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027, initiatives promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, and further measures supporting innovation and competitiveness for agricultural and agri-food businesses. Regional instruments from Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia were also presented, dedicated to the development and validation of innovative technologies, prototyping, purchase of advanced equipment, patents and certifications, and the introduction of sustainable and circular production processes.
Companies now have a clearer picture of the opportunities available and the instruments most consistent with their development projects.
Cross-border Networking: Innovation Needs the Right Partners
The fourth service was dedicated to connecting companies with researchers, experts, financial institutions and potential business partners. During the cross-border event "BioTech2Agri meets businesses: innovation and cross-border opportunities," held on 10 July 2026 at Ente Fiera di Udine, participants explored concrete examples of biotechnology applications, financial instruments for innovation, and opportunities for collaboration between Italian and Slovenian stakeholders.
The heart of the event was guided discussions and networking activities among companies, project partners, experts and stakeholders of the innovation ecosystem. Participants worked on challenges common to the SMEs involved, including the valorisation of waste and by-products, the transition from idea or prototype to market, the search for specialised expertise and suitable partners, and the economic sustainability of innovation processes.
A total of 33 participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences directly, share insights and identify new opportunities for cross-border collaboration among companies, research centres, financial institutions and innovation operators from the Interreg Italy-Slovenia Programme area.
An Integrated Path from Idea to Market
The main strength of the four BioTech2Agri services lies in their complementarity. Companies were able to assess the technical potential of their ideas, structure their business models, identify the most suitable funding opportunities, and build new relationships with partners, experts and stakeholders of the innovation ecosystem.
Innovation Coin thus created an integrated pathway connecting technology, market, finance and collaboration, increasing the chances that a biotechnological idea can become a new product, a more efficient production process, or a more sustainable agri-food value chain.
The BioTech2Agri project – Biotechnology innovation for sustainable and competitive agriculture – is implemented under the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia 2021–2027 Programme and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
