How Might We Foster Innovation Ecosystems in Emerging AgriFood Sectors?
Navigating the Future of AgriFood Innovation in Valais
Photo by Artiom Vallat on Unsplash
Location:
Valais, Switzerland
Industries Served:
AgriFood and AgriTech
Biotechnology
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Nutrition and Health
Technology and Innovation
Sustainability and Environmental Solutions
Economic Development and Policy Advisory
Services:
Innovation Ecosystem Mapping & Analysis
Strategic Innovation Consulting
Policy Guidance & Advisory
Market Research & Trend Analysis
Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration Facilitation
Sector-specific Growth Strategies
Workshops & Capacity Building
Overview
In 2021, the Department of Economy and Education in the Canton of Valais sought to understand its growing AgriFood and AgriTech sectors. With technological advancements transforming food production and farming practices, the Canton needed a clearer view of the key players and their challenges in order to guide future economic policies and bolster the region’s innovation ecosystem.
Faced with the task of mapping the ecosystem and identifying the key actors, the Department turned to us, to provide actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
Objectives
The project aimed to address the following key objectives:
Mapping the Ecosystem: Provide a comprehensive overview of the actors involved in the AgriFood innovation sector in Valais.
Understanding Challenges: Identify the key obstacles faced by startups, SMEs, and research institutions to help shape policy.
Guiding Policy: Offer strategic recommendations for economic policies that can nurture growth in AgriTech and FoodTech.
Challenges
Before Conexkt’s analysis, the Canton faced several hurdles in understanding its innovation landscape:
Fragmented Ecosystem: While Valais had emerging players in the AgriFood space, the connections between actors such as startups, SMEs, and research institutions were weak.
Limited Collaboration: Startups and corporates were operating in isolation, hindering opportunities for joint innovation.
Funding Gaps: Early-stage startups struggled to secure financing, preventing them from scaling their operations in a competitive global market.
Approach
Conexkt began by studying the global trends in AgriFood innovation, noting the rise of sectors like alternative proteins, biotech farming, and e-commerce for food. These insights provided an international context for understanding Valais’ position in the AgriFood sector.
With this background, Conexkt shifted focus to the local ecosystem. Using a combination of desk research, interviews, and surveys, the team conducted an in-depth mapping of the key actors in Valais, including startups, SMEs, corporates, and research institutions. The goal was to identify the areas where innovation was thriving and the gaps that needed to be addressed.
A series of interviews were conducted, and surveys were sent to various actors to capture their perspectives on the challenges they faced, particularly around funding, collaboration, and growth opportunities. This data formed the foundation of the ecosystem map.
Read the full report
Solution
Conexkt delivered a detailed ecosystem mapping report, which included:
Mapping of Key Players: The report identified over 20 startups and SMEs working across sectors like Ag Biotech, Health & Nutrition, and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG).
Ecosystem Overview: The report not only categorized actors by their sectors but also analyzed their interconnectedness (or lack thereof), providing the Canton with clear insights into where collaboration could be improved.
Key Recommendations: The findings pointed to the need for the Canton to foster stronger relationships between startups, research institutions, and larger corporations. Additionally, the report called for an expansion of funding mechanisms to support early-stage ventures.
Results
The project produced valuable insights into the AgriFood innovation ecosystem in Valais:
Ecosystem Mapping: For the first time, the Canton had a clear picture of its AgriFood landscape, highlighting startups, SMEs, and corporates actively driving innovation.
Identified Needs: The research revealed that while the region had strong innovation potential, there were critical gaps in funding and collaboration. Early-stage entrepreneurs, in particular, lacked access to sufficient financial support.
Strategic Insights: The report provided strategic guidance on how to address these issues, with specific recommendations on improving collaboration and attracting investment to the region.
Impact
The report provided the Canton of Valais with a clear path forward. The findings were expected to influence future policy-making, especially around funding support for startups and efforts to foster collaboration across the ecosystem.
The report emphasized Valais' potential to become a leading center for innovation in areas like biotechnology and nutrition, aligning with both Swiss and global trends. Additionally, it showcased how Valais could leverage its R&D resources to gain a competitive edge in these high-growth sectors.