1 The EIC Accelerator Project

The EIC Accelerator program is a vital component of the European Innovation Council (EIC), designed to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Europe. The program aims to foster the growth of breakthrough technologies and innovations that can significantly impact the market. It provides funding through a blended finance model, which combines grants and equity investments to help companies develop and scale their innovations.

Funding Structure

Under the EIC Accelerator, beneficiaries can receive significant funding through two main components:

Purpose in the DeepTech and Startup Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator plays a crucial role in the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem by addressing the funding gap that often exists for innovative companies. It focuses on high-risk, high-potential innovations that might struggle to secure traditional funding due to their nascent stages or disruptive nature. By providing a combination of grant and equity funding, the EIC Accelerator enables companies to validate their technologies and business models while minimizing financial risks.

The program also emphasizes the importance of attracting private sector investment. By demonstrating the viability of their projects through EIC funding, companies can leverage additional funding from private investors and venture capitalists, facilitating further growth and development.

Case Study: xFarm Srl and the xTrap Project

Company Overview: xFarm Srl, based in Italy, specializes in agricultural technology, focusing on solutions that enhance farm management and productivity through digital innovation. The company aims to empower farmers by providing tools that enable them to make informed decisions based on real-time data.

Project Description: The xTrap project, supported by the EIC Accelerator, is designed to implement real-time automatic monitoring and machine learning (ML)-based prediction of pest insects. This innovative system aims to revolutionize pest management in agriculture by providing farmers with timely insights into pest behavior and population dynamics.

Technology Basics and Background

The xTrap project leverages advanced technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and machine learning algorithms to monitor pest activity in real time. The system is comprised of various components:

• IoT Sensors: Deployed in agricultural fields, these sensors collect data on environmental conditions and pest presence. They monitor factors such as temperature, humidity, and plant health, which are crucial for understanding pest dynamics.
• Data Processing and Machine Learning: The collected data is transmitted to a centralized platform where ML algorithms analyze it to predict pest infestations. By utilizing historical data and real-time inputs, the system can identify patterns and forecast potential pest issues before they escalate.
• User Interface: Farmers can access the insights generated by the xTrap system through a user-friendly interface. This platform provides actionable recommendations, enabling farmers to take proactive measures in pest management, such as targeted pesticide application or implementing integrated pest management strategies.

The project addresses a significant challenge in agriculture, where pest infestations can lead to substantial crop losses and increased production costs. By providing real-time monitoring and predictions, xTrap enhances farming sustainability and efficiency, ultimately contributing to food security.

In conclusion, the EIC Accelerator program serves as a cornerstone for fostering innovation within the European startup landscape. With its blended finance model, it empowers companies like xFarm Srl to advance their technologies and scale their operations effectively. The xTrap project exemplifies the potential of integrating cutting-edge technology in agriculture, showcasing how innovation can lead to more sustainable farming practices.

2 The Funding Rounds

xFarm Srl: Financing and Funding Developments Since EIC Accelerator Win

xFarm Srl, an Italian agritech company digitalizing the agri-food sector, has seen significant funding activity and strategic growth since its successful EIC Accelerator application in June 2022.

Funding Rounds and Amounts

Pre-EIC Accelerator

2019: xFarm raised its first external investment with a €3 million round led by United Ventures, marking the company's initial institutional backing.

Post-EIC Accelerator (June 2022 Submission)

• Series B (2022): In September 2022, xFarm closed a €17 million Series B round. This was one of Europe’s largest agritech rounds at that time.
• Lead Investor: Swisscom Ventures
• Participants: Neva SGR (Intesa Sanpaolo Group), Emerald Technology Ventures, NovaCapital, Grey Silo Ventures
• Reinvesting Investor: United Ventures (lead investor from Series A)
• The funds from this round were earmarked to advance sustainable agriculture solutions and expand their technological platform.
• Series C (October 2024): On October 9th, 2024, xFarm announced a major €36 million Series C funding round. This is recognized as one of the largest “smart farming” deals in Europe to date.
• Lead Investor: Partech Impact Growth Fund
• Participants: Mouro Capital; previous investors including Swisscom Ventures, United Ventures; all earlier institutional investors also participated.
• The capital is intended to accelerate global expansion—particularly in Europe, Latin America, Turkey, India, and the US—as well as enhance services for regenerative agriculture using AI-driven data analysis.

Timing and Details of Rounds

Round	Date	Amount	Key Investors
Seed/A	Q1/Q2 2019	€3 million	United Ventures
Series B	Sep/Oct 2022	€17 million	Swisscom Ventures (lead), Neva SGR, Emerald Tech. Vent., NovaCapital, Grey Silo Vent., United V.
Series C	Oct. 9–14, 2024	€36 million	Partech Impact Growth Fund (lead), Mouro Capital, Swisscom V., United V., prior backers

Investors Overview

• Early support came from Italian VC firm United Ventures.
• Subsequent rounds brought in international tech-focused funds:
• Swisscom Ventures led the pivotal Series B.
• Notable venture firms like Emerald Technology Ventures have followed on.
• The most recent lead investor is Partech via its impact-focused fund.
• New entrants like Mouro Capital bring fintech expertise for upcoming product lines.

Use of Funds & Strategic Moves

The proceeds have enabled: - Expansion into new geographies: strengthening presence across Europe while entering Latin America, Turkey, India & US markets.

• Acquisitions: Integration of Greenfield Technologies (Spain) for regenerative agriculture expertise and SpaceSense (France) specializing in geospatial AI.
• Product Diversification: Establishment of fintech/insurtech divisions targeting risk management/lending solutions for farmers—a move supported by Mouro Capital's participation in Series C.

Company Valuation & Exit Events

No public information is available on specific company valuations during these funding rounds or any exit events such as IPOs or acquisitions up through April/May 2025. All indications suggest that xFarm continues operating independently with robust growth plans post-Series C.

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Summary Table: Key Funding Events Since June 15th Cut-off Submission

Date	Round	Amount	Lead Investor(s)	Co-Investors
Q1/Q2–2019	Seed/A	€3M	United Ventures	—
Sep/Oct–2022	Series B	€17M	Swisscom V.                          Neva SGR Emerald TV NovaCapital GreySiloV. UnitedV.(follow-on)
Oct–09/14–2024

No IPOs or acquisition exits have been reported as of April/May 2025.

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Sources

• xFarm Technologies closes €17 million round to make agriculture sustainable
• Emerald portfolio company xFarm Technologies raises €36 million
• xFarm eyes global growth after raising €36 million – AgTech Navigator
• xFarm raises €36m to build superapp for farmers – Sifted
• xFarm Technologies Secures €36 Million in Series C Funding – Agritech Digest

Additional context:
Reaffirming our commitment to xFarm Technologies’ growth – UnitedVentures BREAKING: xFarm bags $39m… – AgFunderNews xFarm Technologies Raises €36 Million… GlobalAgTechInitiative Company Blog Post Announcing €36M Round – Xfarm.ag blog

3 The Press Releases

xFarm Technologies: Strategic Growth and Innovation Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Since securing EIC Accelerator funding in June 2022, xFarm Technologies (formed via the 2021 merger of xFarm Srl and Farm Technologies) has rapidly expanded its footprint in AgriTech, focusing on AI-driven solutions, regenerative agriculture, and international scalability. Below are key developments:

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Partnerships & Supply Chain Digitization

• Barilla: Digitized basil supply chains using IoT sensors for real-time monitoring[^barilla].
• Riso Gallo: Implemented digital tools for sustainable rice cultivation, optimizing water use and traceability[^risogallo].
• Bunge: Formed a strategic partnership to advance regenerative agriculture across Europe[^bunge].
• Yara International: Collaborated to promote sustainable farming practices through data-driven insights[^yara].

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Technology Advancements

• AI & Geospatial Integration: Enhanced predictive models using satellite data and soil analytics via acquisitions like Greenfield Technologies (Spain) and SpaceSense (France)[^integration][^greenfield].
• Irrigation 4.0: Partnered with OCMIS to deploy automated irrigation systems reducing water waste by up to 30%[^irrigation].
• Regenerative Protocols: Co-developed soil health frameworks with Melinda for apple orchards, emphasizing carbon sequestration[^melinda].

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Team Expansion & Global Reach

By late 2023, the company employed over 100 staff globally, managing >300k farms across 100+ countries. Recent hires focused on AI/ML engineering to bolster climate-resilient solutions[^team][agritech2024].

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Awards & Recognition

Named an innovation leader at Fieragricola 2024 for AI applications in precision farming. CEO Matteo Vanotti emphasized their mission: “to make agriculture resilient through technology”[^fieragricola].

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Sources
Sustainable rice paddies: Riso Gallo chooses xFarm • Digitization of agrifood supply chains • Melinda and xFarm’s regenerative agriculture project • Fieragricola 2024 innovations • Team growth details • Bunge partnership announcement • Yara collaboration details.

4 The Technology Advancements

Current Capabilities of xFarm Srl from Italy

xFarm Srl is an Italian tech company specializing in the digitalization of the agri-food sector. It offers innovative tools to support agricultural entrepreneurs, focusing on sustainability and efficiency. The company's platform, xFarm, is designed to help farmers monitor and improve their practices, contributing positively to the environment.

Advancements Since Receiving EIC Accelerator Funding

Since June 2022, xFarm Technologies has made significant advancements, though specific details about the funding's impact are limited. However, the company has expanded its presence globally and enhanced its services:

• Expansion and Partnerships: xFarm Technologies has expanded into new markets and strengthened its international team, reaching more than 100 employees by the end of 2023. It also integrated with Greenfield Technologies and SpaceSense to enhance its capabilities in regenerative agriculture and geospatial AI.
• Technology Enhancements: The company introduced new features like "Disease Recognition," which uses AI for crop disease identification, and "FarmView," aimed at improving agricultural sprayers through optical recognition. Additionally, xFarm Technologies developed xTrap, an IoT-based pest monitoring system, after receiving €1 million from the EIC Accelerator for this project in early 2023.
• Market Demonstrations: xFarm Technologies has showcased its innovations at major agricultural fairs like Agritechnica and Enovitis in Campo, demonstrating its commitment to integrating technology in farming practices.

New Features and Demonstrations

• Disease Recognition: This AI-powered feature allows quick identification of crop diseases, enabling farmers to monitor and manage disease outbreaks more effectively.
• FarmView: A system designed to enhance agricultural sprayers using image computing, aimed at the B2B sector.
• xTrap: An automated pest monitoring system that integrates IoT and machine learning technologies to track pest populations in real-time.

Patents and Scientific Studies

There is no specific information available on new patents filed or scientific studies published by xFarm Technologies directly related to the EIC Accelerator funding. However, their advancements in AI and geospatial technologies indicate a focus on technological innovation.

Conclusion

xFarm Technologies continues to evolve, emphasizing digitalization, sustainability, and AI-driven solutions for the agri-food sector. Its expansion and technological advancements reflect a strong commitment to improving farming practices and environmental impact.

Sources: - xFarm

• Company - xFarm
• The Artificial Intelligence of xFarm Technologies
• Enovitis 2023: Artificial Intelligence takes the field with xFarm
• AgriTech 2024: growth and innovation to meet the challenges of the sector
• xFarm Technologies Raises €36 Million to Help Digitalize Agri-Food Sector
• Emerald portfolio company xFarm Technologies raises €36 million
• BREAKING: xFarm bags $39m to increase regenerative farming
• xFarm Technologies receives 1 million euros from EIC Accelerator to develop xTrap
• xFarm Technologies Forms Partnership With Greenfield Technologies and SpaceSense

5 The Partnerships and Customers

xFarm Srl's Strategic Partnerships and Market Positioning Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Since securing EIC Accelerator funding in June 2022, xFarm Technologies (likely operating as xFarm Srl) has expanded its global footprint through strategic partnerships, focusing on precision agriculture, digitalization, and sustainability. Below is an overview of its key collaborations and their market impact:

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Key Partnerships and Customers

• CLAAS Italia: Partnered to provide training in precision agriculture for CLAAS customers.
• dss+: Collaborated on emission reduction solutions for agribusiness supply chains (2023).
• Viterra: Launched regenerative agriculture programs with carbon measurement tools for suppliers (October 2024).
• Checkplant: Expanded into Latin America by integrating Farmbox’s large-scale farm management platform (March 2025).
• Greenfield Technologies & SpaceSense: Acquired/partnered to enhance soil analysis and geospatial AI capabilities (April 2024).

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Nature of New Relationships

• Technology Integration: Merging proprietary platforms like xFarm with Farmbox to optimize decision-making via DSS tools.
• Sustainability Focus: Implementing Monitoring, Reporting, Verification (MRV) systems for carbon emission tracking.
• Global Scalability: Leveraging Checkplant’s Brazilian client base covering 50% of cotton acreage and 11% of soybean plantations.

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Market Positioning

These collaborations position xFarm as a pan-European leader moving into LATAM, India, Turkey, and the U.S., supported by its €36 million Series C funding (October 2024). The company now serves over 500k farms globally across 8.3M hectares, emphasizing traceability and regenerative practices.

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Technology Advancements

Partnerships drive innovation in:

Correction: Citations marked £ are invalid; correct sources are provided below.

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Sources Used in This Analysis

CLAAS Italy Partnership |

dss+ Collaboration | Viterra Announcement (URL truncated; full source unavailable) | Checkplant Partnership & xFarm LATAM Expansion | xFarm Series C Funding | Greenfield-SpaceSense Integration (URL formatting issues noted)

(Note: Some URLs contain formatting errors or truncations from original search results.)

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

xFarm Technologies: Team Growth and Hiring

xFarm Technologies, an Italian company specializing in digital farm management solutions, has experienced significant growth since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in June 2022. Here are key details regarding their hiring, team size, and expansion plans:

Current Headcount and Team Size

As of December 2023, xFarm Technologies has a team of more than 100 employees. This represents a substantial increase from previous years, reflecting the company's expanding operations and ambitions.

Hiring and Team Growth

To support its aggressive expansion and technological advancements, xFarm Technologies continues to hire new talent. By the end of 2022, they planned to add 20 new resources to reach a total of 80 employees. As of 2023, they aimed to further strengthen their technology team, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), to enhance their product offerings and support international growth.

Current Hiring Activity

xFarm Technologies is actively recruiting in various fields, including AI, IT & HW engineering, agronomy, and marketing. They emphasize a collaborative and innovative work environment, seeking individuals who share their values of passion, speed, team spirit, humility, and flexibility.

Key Positions and Recent Hires

While specific key positions recently filled are not detailed, the company focuses on expanding its tech capabilities, especially in AI and machine learning. These hires are crucial for developing more advanced farm management tools and supporting the company's entry into new markets.

Growth Impact

The new team members play a pivotal role in xFarm Technologies' ability to scale and grow. They contribute to enhancing the company's digital solutions, supporting its international expansion into markets like Germany, France, Poland, and beyond Europe. The increased workforce aids in innovating and providing more comprehensive support to farmers and agribusinesses, aligning with the company's mission to make agriculture more sustainable and efficient.

Management and Founding Team Changes

There are no detailed reports of major changes in the management or founding team of xFarm Technologies following the EIC Accelerator funding. However, the company continues to be led by CEO Matteo Vanotti, who emphasizes innovation and sustainability in their growth strategy.

Funding and Expansion

xFarm Technologies has raised significant funding to support its growth plans. Following a €17 million Series B round in 2022, they secured an additional €36 million in a Series C funding round in 2024. This investment is crucial for expanding their services globally, including the development of fintech and insurtech divisions, and enhancing their AI-driven solutions for farmers.

Sources:

• xFarm
• xFarm Technologies closes €17 million round
• Agritech 2024: growth and innovation
• xFarm Technologies company information
• xFarm eyes global growth after raising €36 million
• xFarm Technologies raises €36 million
• Work with us - xFarm

7 The Media Features and Publications

Media Coverage and Industry Presence of xFarm Technologies

Since securing EIC Accelerator funding in mid-2022, xFarm Technologies (formerly xFarm Srl) has expanded its media visibility, partnerships, and participation in global agricultural innovation events. Below is a detailed overview of their activities:

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Media Features

• Forbes: Highlighted the company’s fusion of international capital and Italian research for agricultural digitalization (December 2022).
• NZZ: Featured xFarm’s app for optimizing irrigation timing (August 2022).
• Millionaire: Reported on its €17 million fundraising to advance sustainable agriculture (August 2022).
• Tech.eu: Covered AI-driven farm management tools following the Farm Technologies merger (August 2022).
• Ag Funder News: Described the merged entity as the “Spotify of agtech” due to its modular platform approach (December 2021, with continued relevance post-merger in 2022).

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Publications and Press Releases

Recent releases emphasize sustainability partnerships:

• Zurich Insurance collaboration (April 2025): Launched parametric insurance solutions for climate-resilient farming.
• Forever Bamboo partnership (March 2025): Reduced water footprint in bamboo cultivation using IoT sensors.
• Krukowiak alliance (March 2025): Promoted precision agriculture in Eastern Europe.
• Latin America expansion: Joined forces with Brazil’s Checkplant for Farmbox integration, targeting sugarcane and soybean markets [March–April 2024/25 updates per multiple releases][^11]().

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Podcasts & Interviews

While direct podcasts from xFarm team members are not explicitly listed, CEO Matteo Vanotti has been actively interviewed about growth strategies:

Grey Silo Ventures Interview: Discussed scaling challenges, regenerative agriculture tech, and pan-European expansion plans().

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Conferences & Fairs

xFarm consistently presents innovations at major agritech events: -offline formatting issue fixed below as bullet list- | Event | Focus Area | Date | |-------|------------|------| | Fieragricola | AI-driven tools for vineyards/olive groves | January 2024 | | TSW Poland | Precision irrigation systems | January 2024 | | Agritechnica | Equipment connectivity via Precision Farming Network partnership | November–December timeframe based on press materials | | Agri Data Green Summit | AI applications for carbon footprint reduction [Dates unspecified; recent emphasis per strategic communications] |

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Recent Event Participation Highlights

-Enovitis in Campo: Showcased automated irrigation system xIdro [June–July timeframe based on blog posts](). -ferme France Expo: Demonstrated supply-chain digitization tools [November 2023]().

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Sources: Unnumbered citations as requested. Links correspond to search results provided. Titles simplified where necessary.

<strong class="list-title">Sources: </strong><a href="https://xfarm.ag/en/press-room" class="inline-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Forbes feature</a> via press room archive link
<a href="https://xfarm.ag/en/press-room" class="inline-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NZZ article</a>
<a href="https://xfarm.ag/en/press-room" class="inline-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Millionaire coverage</a>
<a href="https://xfarm.ag/en/press-room" class="inline-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tech.eu report</a>
<a href="https://xfarm.ag/en/press-room" class="inline-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ag Funder News analysis</a>
<a href="https://xfarm.ag/en/blog" class="inline-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Zurich Insurance announcement</a> via press release section
<a href="https://xfarm.ag/en/blog" class="inline-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bamboo project details</a>
<a href="https://xfarm.ag/en/blog" class="inline-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Krukowiak partnership update</a>
[xFarm Latin America operation blog post reference - multiple entries apply here; see press room]
Checkplant collaboration inferred from March/April blog posts - URL example placeholder
Vanotti interview by Grey Silo Ventures direct link provided above.
Fieragricola participation per January '24 release URL placeholder within search results.
TSW Poland reference URL placeholder within provided data.
Agritechnica materials referenced under "FieldView" collaboration note but no direct URL available beyond search result scope.
Enovitis event covered under blog posts - specific link unavailable here but confirmed by result content.
ferme France Expo mentioned under "Latest releases" section URLs not directly accessible but confirmed by text context.

<strong class="list-title">Note: </strong>Specific URLs beyond root domains are unavailable due to result constraints; all citations derive from provided search data referencing https://xfarm.ag subpages except where external links explicitly noted.