Italy's AgrofoodBIC makes first international bet on Argentine bioinputs startup Nunatak
What's the deal? AgrofoodBIC, an Italian multi-company open innovation hub, has invested in Nunatak, an Argentine startup that develops bioinputs from extremophile microorganisms — organisms that thrive in harsh environments like Antarctica. The deal marks AgrofoodBIC's first investment outside Italy.
Agrifoodtech accelerator Eatable Adventures facilitated the investment, having led startup scouting and venture development for AgrofoodBIC. The financial terms were not disclosed.
Nunatak's technology turns microorganisms from extreme ecosystems into bioinputs compatible with conventional agricultural products. These aim to boost crop nutrition, yields, and climate resilience. The startup has already registered its first product, YAMANA, and is in the commercial stage, seeking partners to test its solutions.
"Italy is the global reference for food quality. This investment is not just capital, it is aligned with our goal of delivering value in the European market," said Julia Mensa, chief executive officer and co-founder of Nunatak Biotech.
Why now? Soil degradation and declining fertiliser efficiency are growing problems in global agriculture. Bioinputs — biological alternatives to synthetic fertilisers and pesticides — are gaining traction as farmers look for ways to maintain yields without further depleting their soil.
AgrofoodBIC's industrial partners include Granarolo, Camst Group, Conserve Italia, Eurovo, and Cuniola (IMA Group), with strategic backing from the University of Bologna, ENEA, and ART-ER. Expanding beyond Italy signals the hub's ambition to source innovation globally.
What could go wrong? Bioinputs derived from extremophile microorganisms are still a relatively novel category. Regulatory hurdles in the EU could slow Nunatak's path to commercialisation in its target European market. Convincing conventional farmers to adopt microbial solutions alongside — or instead of — established chemical inputs remains a persistent challenge across the sector.
The signal: The deal reflects two broader trends. First, European agrifood players are increasingly looking to Latin America for biotech innovation, particularly in soil health and sustainable inputs. Second, corporate open innovation hubs are stepping beyond their home markets earlier, driven by the urgency of climate-related agricultural challenges that don't respect national borders.
Read more: proteinreport.org
