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AGRITECH INNOVATION DAY

On November 16, 2016, eight innovative startups selected by UniCredit Start Lab will present their business plans to UniCredit clients and other potential investors. These presentations will make up just one part of Agritech Innovation Day, which UniCredit is holding in Milan. The event is an open innovation initiative for the food and agriculture sector. During the day Sara Roversi, the co-founder of the You Can Group and the Future Food Institute will deliver a keynote address that focuses on sector-specific megatrends.

The eight startups that will present on November 16 are listed below.

BIO ERG has developed an innovative method for manufacturing natural food additives, particularly dextran, which is obtained by fermentation. Used in various foods like ice cream, low-fat cheeses and many gluten-free products, dextran also has applications for the production of nutraceuticals and cosmetics, as well as for wastewater treatment processes.

MIDA+ invented Cremolì, a product made from the fat derived from olive oil. Developed with proprietary technology, the solid fat is produced without hydrogenation, has no mono and diglyceride fatty acids, no allergens, no preservatives and is low in cholesterol and saturated fats. It can be used as an alternative to butter, palm oil, margarine and other low-nutritional-value oils like coconut, rice or canola.

XNEXT is an X-ray system that works quickly to identify the chemical and physical composition of the products it scans. The system can be used in quality control lines and it could possibly be used for the real-time inspection of foods, drugs and even luggage.

CERTILOGO marks participating products with a unique CLG identification code. This code authenticates each product and allows it to be identified as it travels across the supply and distribution chains. Consumers can then use their computer or smartphone to enter a product's CLG code and verify the authenticity of a product before they purchase it. In turn, valuable information is derived from the consumers who use CLG codes, including their location, the online or offline store where they bought the product and their demographic makeup. The Certilogo platform uses this information to generate comprehensive analytics on counterfeiting, supply chain issues, parallel markets and consumer profiles.

PENELOPE is a platform that tracks and traces products as they move along the supply chain, from manufacture to distribution to final sale. The Internet of Things, which connects a host of devices, systems and services, makes this platform possible. Because so many consumers buy their goods and services online now, they are unable to see or assess the quality of the supply chain that backs the products they rely on.

HORTA has developed an intelligent crop management platform that detects the essential components of healthy crops - from the amount of rainwater they receive to the properties of the soil. These indicators provide concrete information farmers can use to decide which new cultivation techniques they should adopt. The target groups for this platform are producers of grains, wine and table grapes, olives, fresh fruits and nuts.

PROXENTIA is developing a line of products that use a proprietary optical technology to analyze water-based fluids such as blood plasma, tears, milk, wine and wastewater. For the food and agriculture sector, the company is currently focusing on techniques for storing wine, milk and cereal with minimal operator intervention. It is producing a reader, a set of disposable cartridges and software for mobile devices that would analyze and return an "identity card" for large loads of food. Ideally, this identity card would provide vital information regarding the safety and quality of food chains.

WENDA is a device attached to the necks of wine bottles that can be used to track product quality, authenticate the bottle's origin and provide an extra level of protection for wine producers.