Agrotev

Description

The European market for organic pollination is dominated by an industrial oligopoly with a centralized model: lengthy logistics, documented pathogen load, and up to 1,500 grams of plastic per hive disposed of as hazardous waste. Agrotev is reshaping this market by producing and distributing certified bumblebee colonies through decentralized bio-farms located near the fields. The proprietary system integrates internally selected genetics, feeding with locally sourced syrup and pollen, and continuous monitoring via proprietary AI (Sensus) with colony-by-colony biological status classification.

ARNHIA, the plastic-free end product currently in the patenting phase, offers +30% more foraging time and a +20% longer flight range compared to the benchmark, at a per-colony price 30–40% lower than the European average, with EBITDA margins of 43%.

Every meter of the shortened supply chain is a competitive advantage that the centralized model cannot replicate by design, with the vision of becoming the certified European biological pollination infrastructure.

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Business & Revenue Model

• Production and sale of certified bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) colonies through decentralized biofarms
• Field-based distribution eliminates the long logistics chains, pathogen load, and plastic waste associated with the centralized model
• ARNHIA’s plastic-free product is currently undergoing patent registration
• Market price of €30 per colony vs. €45–50 for European competitors
• EBITDA margins of 43%
• Backlog driven by actual demand estimated at €2.7 million
• Revenue generated by the volume of colonies sold to growers (farms, agronomists, specialized distributors)

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Traction

• Biofarm in Bagni di Lucca is operational (Year 0, 2026)
• Business plan launched with this Seed round
• 600 colonies produced and distributed for testing to over 50 growers
• €1,955 in actual sales in 2024 (zero marketing investment)
• €7,640 in unfulfilled orders due to product shortages in 2024
• 125 colonies of Bombus terrestris requested by agronomists, distributors, and farms
• Backlog backed by real demand estimated at €2.7 million
• Institutional partnerships: Lagemma Venture (22% shareholder, on the Board of Directors from Day 1)
• Agrifood25 + Digi Open Lab program, Agrion Foundation (network of over 90 European research centers), operational March 2026–2027

YoY growth:

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Roadmap & Development Plan

2026

• Completion of the Agrotev Origine 1 biopharmaceutical facility in Bagni di Lucca
• Launch of structured commercial production
• First sales campaign launched in the Tuscan market
• Institutional validation of the technology project through a regional grant (€100,000)
• Development of Sensus and ARNHIA
• Revenue target: €345,000 with positive EBITDA

2027

• Entry into the Sicilian market
• Conversion of the Italian backlog into €2.7 million in qualified demand
• Progress on the ARNHIA patent application
• Revenue target: €860,000

2028

• Biofarm Toscana at full capacity
• Market assessment in Spain (Almería)
• Achievement of structural positive free cash flow
• Preparation for Series A funding round (2029, pre-money valuation of €10 million)
• Revenue target: €1.24 million

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Funding need & use of funds

Fundraising goal: €260,000

Use of funds:

• 50% (€130,000) for market entry in Sicily: scouting, commercial agreements, initial presence
• 50% (€130,000) for commercial scaling in Italy: conversion of a qualified backlog of €2.7 million

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Legal form

Società a Responsabilità Limita – Innovative Startup

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Team & Cap Table

Cap table:

Team:

Agrotev is the result of the founders’ second venture, built on the same approach they used to grow Clesia S.r.l. (15 years, over 3,000 customers, 17 countries) in the organic sector.

• Gaetano De Felice – CEO & Head of Innovation. He oversees go-to-market strategies, capital strategy, and the development of the proprietary system. Founder of Clesia S.r.l. (2010), a well-established international agrotech sales network.
• Giada Papucci – COO & Insect Specialist. Guardian of Agrotev’s trade secrets: she holds the full biological know-how regarding genetics, production protocols, and colony quality. A competitive advantage that cannot be replicated externally.
• Manar Hassouni – Head of Technology & Digital Engineering. Leads the development of Sensus (proprietary AI, colony-by-colony classification) and the in-house production of ARNHIA via additive manufacturing.

*The 10% ESOP will be activated in Serie A (2029), with a pro-rata dilutive effect on all shareholders. Prior to activation, the cap table totals 100%.

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Social/environmental issue and impact

Problem:

One in three European pollinator species is in documented decline (EEA, State of Nature 2024). The economic value of pollination for EU agriculture is estimated at €5–15 billion per year; the cumulative loss from pollinator decline is estimated at 34 billion euros per year by 2030 (Nature Communications, 2025). The current industrial model exacerbates the problem: long logistics chains, pathogen load from centralized intensive production, and 300–1,500 g of plastic per hive disposed of as hazardous waste.

Impact:

• 1,600 cumulative tons of plastic saved (A0-A7) (1.85 million colonies × ~870 g/hive vs. benchmark)
• 15% reduction in commercial colonies needed per hectare per season thanks to a 30% increase in ARNHIA colony lifespan
• Reduced pressure on natural pollinators and lower aggregate logistics footprint
• 42 specialized FTEs created in Italy
• Network of local beekeepers for zero-mile pollen
• Regional presence in major European agricultural areas
• Alignment with the Nature Restoration Regulation 2024 and Farm to Fork (−50% pesticides by 2030)
• Mapped SDGs: 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 17
• ESG roadmap toward ESRS/CSRD with Sustainability Report planned post-Series B

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Financial Structure (equity, debt, grant)

Equity:

• 80.000 € – Bootstrap Founders – 2024-2025
• 117.800 € – Seed equity (lead Lagemma Venture) – 2026

Debt:

• 147.000 € – Mortgage (tasso medio 3,5%) – 2026

Grant:

• 100.000 € – Tuscany Region (technological development and biopharmaceutical start-ups) – 2026