Success at Rentenbank Bootcamp: Organifarms wins start-up prize

After the three-day AgTech and FoodTech Bootcamp by the Rentenbank and TechQuartier, Organifarms was able to convince the jury, getting award the start-up prize of 5.000€.

Left to right: Dominik Feiden (CEO und Co-Founder, Organifarms), Nikola Steinbock (Divisional Director, Rentenbank), Hannah Brown (CCO und Co-Founder), Dr. Christian Bock (Divisional Director Funding, Rentenbank) I Photo: TechQuartier

Hannah & Dominik at TechQuartier I Photo: TechQuartier

The bootcamp took place in Frankfurt, in the co-working and start-up space of the TechQuartier, an innovation platform and community to connect startups, corporates and new talents. The program involved workshops in the areas of growth strategies, negotiation techniques and marketing, held by other successful founders. Furthermore, it offered office hours with experts and business speed dating with potential investors and representatives from the agricultural industry.

One of our personal highlights was the individual pitch coaching with Bianca Praetorius, who really helped us to improve our delivery, especially in the context of not having done a live pitch in a really long time. It was also great to get the opportunity to speak to representatives of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in a roundtable discussion, central topics being innovative business models and funding opportunities. On the latter, the BMEL and the Rentenbank where able to inform the founders about a new program to support start-ups in the agricultural and food sectors. On behalf of the BMEL, the Rentenbank supports young companies in the early financing phase by providing low-interest subordinated loans.

Hannah pitching at the demo day I Photo: TechQuartier

The highlight of the event was the demo day where all 11 start-ups presented their ideas in front of an audience and an expert jury. The start-up muTech won the audience voting with their intelligent 24/7 early warning system for monitoring dairy cows before and after the gestation period.

Organifarms had the honor of being chosen by the expert jury for the Rentenbank prize of 5.000€ for the most innovative idea.

"A totally convincing, sustainable business model with great scalability," announced Nikola Steinbock, jury member and divisional director of the Rentenbank at the award ceremony.

We are very thrilled about the great positive feedback we received and about winning this prize!

All 11 start-ups at the award ceremony I Photo: TechQuartier