Agrifoodtech Acceleration

Program opened

What is the AgriFoodTech Acceleration Program?

The AgriFoodTech Acceleration Program is an initiative designed to strengthen the technological innovation model, digital transformation, internationalization, or investment attraction of small and medium-sized enterprises or startups with export potential from Costa Rica. Its purpose is to provide specialized support and innovative tools within the AgriFoodTech sector, under an acceleration model aimed at improving the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of products and services in line with market conditions, optimizing business productivity and global expansion.

This program aims to foster the development, technological maturity, and scalability of 15 technology-based companies in the AgriFoodTech sector (10 from Costa Rica and 5 located outside Costa Rica with the potential to establish themselves or develop operations in Costa Rica). It will do so through a comprehensive acceleration program that promotes the adoption of innovative solutions, productive and technological diversification, and access to international markets or the attraction of foreign investment, thereby contributing to the strengthening of the ecosystem and generating a positive impact on development.

15 BENEFICIARY COMPANIES

Companies participating from Costa Rica will receive a scholarship funded by the National Learning Institute (INA), covering 95% of the total program cost, and will be required to contribute the remaining 5% from their own resources.

Companies located outside Costa Rica will receive a scholarship funded by The Yield Lab Institute and Nesters Tech, covering 95% of the total program cost, and will be required to contribute the remaining 5% from their own resources.

Program cost: $8 500 per company

Amount covered by INA (Costa Rican companies): $8 075

Amount covered by The Yield Lab Institute and Nesters Tech (companies located outside Costa Rica): $8 075

Amount covered by the company: $425

Participation requirements

1.

Have a minimum of one (1) year of operation.

2.

Be a technology-based company focused on the agricultural sector, in early stages of development, currently exporting or with export potential.

3.

Have a product or service that is already commercialized and generating sales.

4.

Have a workforce of up to ninety-nine (99) permanent employees.

5.

Have at least one (1) staff member—ideally two (2)—with decision-making authority within the company, and with availability to participate in all program activities.

6.

Be willing to sign a contract with the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA) if officially selected as a beneficiary of the Acceleration Program scholarship (Costa Rican companies).

7.

Be willing to sign a promissory note for an amount equivalent to ninety-five percent (95%) of the total Program cost if officially selected as a beneficiary of the Acceleration Program scholarship (Costa Rican companies).

8.

Be willing and financially able to assume ten percent (5%) of the total Program cost.

9.

Be in good standing with obligations before the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (C.C.S.S.) (Costa Rican companies).

10.

Be in good standing with tax obligations before the Ministry of Finance (Costa Rican companies).

11.

Be duly registered with the National Registry (Costa Rican companies).

12.

Have no commercial relationship of any kind with the INA (Costa Rican companies).

Participation benefits

Action Plan for each participating company

Technological Development Plan

Market readiness advisory services

Private and customized sessions

Support in the preparation of the K-Global application dossier

Networking activities, including a minimum of two (2) in-person sessions

Program impact

The beneficiary companies will be able to obtain:

Assessment of technological maturity:
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

New marketing plan opportunities:
including new contracts with producers and sales generated at both national and international levels.

Creation of new jobs (both male and female)

Development of new products, services, and/or processes.

Investment strategy development:
including opportunities to engage with venture capital firms and investors, and the expansion of financing sources

Networking outcomes.

Contact us

Programas de Innovación de la Unidad de Proyectos Especiales | Stephanie Obando Montenegro