The programme
A 20-week vertical agritech incubation programme for early-stage ventures in the agrifoodtech space that operate, or plan to operate, across the Mediterranean region.
Why we exist
If agriculture stayed exactly as it is today, would your project still work? If the answer is no, this is the right place for you. We incubate startups tackling challenges at the upstream end of the value chain in order to drive system-level impact.
Who we are looking for
Core agritech: projects directly innovating in agriculture, including precision farming, agricultural biotech, applied robotics, sensing technologies, water management, livestock farming, and new crop varieties.
Agri-food integration: projects where food innovation depends on upstream agricultural transformation to create real impact, such as alternative ingredients from new crops, packaging made from agricultural biomass, or waste reduction in primary processing.
Any individual over the age of 18 may apply, either alone or as part of a team, regardless of nationality, provided they have a project aligned with X Combinator’s investment thesis. Incorporation is not required in order to apply.
Learning journey
01
Hybrid format
The programme is delivered primarily online, with five mandatory in-person events in Siena – a format designed to remain accessible even for those already balancing ongoing professional commitments.
02
Sprint-based structure
The programme is organised into work sprints with clear goals, deliverables, and deadlines, turning hypotheses into measurable outcomes step by step.
03
Dedicated champions
Each project is supported by a dedicated professional with experience in agrifoodtech and innovation support, who follows the startup’s progress and takes part in interim reviews.
04
Mentor sessions
A pool of specialist mentors is available on demand, depending on the specific needs of each project. Areas of expertise include agritech and primary production, food science and supply chains, commercial development, technology and digital platforms, regulation, and intellectual property.
05
Network events
The programme includes guided visits and meetings with farmers, researchers, industrial partners, and investors, giving teams the opportunity to engage directly with real-world challenges and opportunities.
06
Accountability
Each team is expected to report on progress, decisions made, and results achieved, maintaining a clear focus on what actually works in the field.
Timeline 2026
Financial support
Each selected startup receives a support package with a total value of €50,000 per project, structured across two components.
01
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
€30,000 provided during the programme, in the form of specialised services to support the development of the project.
02
CASH GRANT
€20,000 awarded at the end of the programme, subject to the achievement of the required milestones and the incorporation of the company.
startups per cohort
in-person events
sprint sessions
Why
x combinator
Our programme is designed to be accessible, hybrid, and compatible with a part-time commitment.
Teams have access to Siena Food Lab’s facilities, dedicated operational support, and a full tool stack.
01
Collaboration
We aim to lower the barriers to entry for agritech innovation and work closely with projects, startups, researchers, and industrial partners. For us, collaboration means co-building solutions, encouraging cross-disciplinary exchange, and making expertise and investment more accessible.
02
Ambition
Our goal is not simply to launch individual startups, but to help drive change across the Italian agrifood system. Ambition matters because it means looking beyond immediate outcomes and backing ideas that can reshape value chains and established practices.
03
Pragmatism
What matters is what works in the field, through measurable and tangible change. For us, pragmatism is not just a method, but a form of responsibility: every decision and every experiment should create lasting value and provide solid foundations for further development.
Application
form
If you are building something that can truly move agriculture forward, this is the place to test it.
partners
The programme is designed and promoted by
with financial support from
