- Background
- What we're looking for
- What we can offer you
- Who we are
- Q&A
Bayer’s LifeHub is opening the door at Bayer Crop Science HQ in Germany for up to six new start-up companies. With the development of a new hub for regenerative agriculture, companies can co-locate at our headquarters, with access to lab space and infrastructure, non-dilutive funding, and our expertise—no strings attached.
Background
This program provides an opportunity to co-develop proof of concept (PoC) or pilot studies with Bayer, focused on delivering innovation to farmers. Participants will be integrated into our global and regional ecosystem and benefit from access to our partners. This launch marks a major milestone in our European open innovation efforts, in collaboration with our strategic partner, Naked Innovations, as we aim to transform agriculture by addressing the pressing societal challenge of ensuring food security for a growing global population while addressing the climate crisis.
Whilst we would be delighted to develop long-term partnerships, we recognize this may not always be feasible. Therefore, in line with our commitment to strengthening the wider ecosystem, not just our own business, this opportunity comes with no strings attached. Beyond the co-developed PoC or pilot study, there are no obligations to partner, no transfer of IP rights, and no requirements for data transfer ownership or reporting.
All applicants must be able to relocate part of their research team to our EU headquarters. Relocated team members are expected to be on-site for the full duration of the PoC or pilot study. Applicants must have the right to work in the EU or independently apply for this—Bayer cannot provide any sponsorship or financial assistance for the relocation.
The call is open to all start-up companies that can contribute to transforming agriculture towards regenerative practices, regardless of technical discipline or application frame (digital, lab, greenhouse, field, SaaS, or otherwise). Our definition of Regenerative Agriculture includes the implementation of technologies and practices that have a positive impact on the topics specifically listed under “What we’re looking for”. In particular, we are also interested in:
- Next generation technologies that facilitate the design, development and application of sustainable crop protection products
- New approaches for profiling and risk assessments of crop protection for human and environmental safety, including New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and Next Gen Risk Assessment (NGRA)
- Automated technologies for in-field data generation (monitoring and sensing)
- In-field residue analysis of crop protection products
- Spatial risk mitigation in agricultural landscapes and Integrated Pest Management
- Global disease and pest forecasting
- Environmental modelling of agro-climatic zones and climate change
- Scalable practices for biodiversity conservation
- Soil health, including soil microbiome, degradation, fertility and carbon sequestration.
- In-field water regulation and nutrient cycling
Note: Crop Protection refers to both chemical and biological approaches.
What we're looking for
- Crop yield and productivity
- Social and economic well-being of farmers and communities
- Soil health
- Mitigation & adaptation to climate change
- Maintain, preserve, or restore biodiversity
- Conservation of water resources
- Accepting applications from startups based in all countries
- Pre-seed
- Seed
- Series A
LifeHub – Bayer Crop Science’s open innovation platform – has five hubs located at key innovation hotspots around the globe, working to solve global challenges in agriculture through regional collaboration. Our LifeHub programs focus on fostering impactful local innovation ecosystems for agriculture and driving interconnectivity between these ecosystems across the globe. As part of this initiative, Bayer’s LifeHub offers financial, technical, and infrastructure support to start-up companies at our headquarters in Germany. This aims to accelerate the growth of transformational start-ups and the innovation ecosystem for regenerative agriculture across Europe. Follow us on LinkedIn for updates. Bayer is a global life sciences company and our vision is a world with “Health for All, Hunger for None”.
Naked Innovations are experts in creating regenerative agrifood ecosystems that align the needs of both the planet and people. We empower diverse organizations—from corporates and research centers to governments, communities, and startups—by fostering impactful growth through our novel Ecosystem approach. This approach nurtures symbiotic relationships and drives scalable innovation within the agrifood system.
The Q&A is now closed.
In-Person Locations
Monheim am Rhein, Germany
delivered to your inbox.