What Terra Next does

Terra Next is an Italian bioeconomy accelerator founded in 2021 and operated under CDP Venture Capital's Rete Nazionale Acceleratori, the first accelerator in Italy exclusively dedicated to startups in sustainable agriculture, circular bio-materials, and nutraceuticals. It is co-created by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and operationally managed by Cariplo Factory, with the University of Naples Federico II hosting the program at its San Giovanni a Teduccio campus in Naples. The platform serves early-stage bioeconomy startups through three interconnected products: a core Acceleration Program (€75K ticket per startup via SAFE-like agreement), a Scale-Up Program launched in 2024 for later-stage startups with MVP/TRL 3-4 (selecting up to 3 per call for Proof of Concept with corporate partners), and a Follow-on Investment Program providing up to €200K to top-performing graduates.

Name

Terra Next

Legal name

Terra Next Accelerator

Website

https://terranextaccelerator.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Terra Next is Italy's first bioeconomy-focused accelerator, founded in 2021 under CDP Venture Capital's Rete Nazionale Acceleratori and operationally managed by Cariplo Factory. It invests up to €75K per startup via SAFE agreements, supports 22 startups across nutraceuticals, bio-materials, and regenerative agriculture with mentorship and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Acceleration and Venture Capital Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Regenerative Agriculture & Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) (EUABABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) / Vertical Farming (Indoor LED Farms) (AFAGAHAJ), Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK), Biochar Carbon Projects (Biomass to Biochar & Soil Application) (EUABABAH)

Keywords

• Startup acceleration services
• Bioeconomy ventures
• Equity investment programs
• Venture capital services
• Mentorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Naples

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Equity Investment Returns: Terra Next invests up to €75,000 per startup in exchange for equity, using a SAFE-like agreement. Returns come from capital gains when startups raise subsequent funding rounds or exit.
2. Follow-on Investments: Top-performing startups may receive follow-on investments of up to €200,000 at the end of the acceleration program, with total Terra Next investments of €3.6M across 22 startups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Terra Next is a bioeconomy-focused accelerator that supports early-stage and growth-stage startups in Italy through equity investment (up to €75,000 per startup via a SAFE-like agreement, plus follow-on investments up to €200,000 for top performers), structured mentorship, business and technical advisory, industrial partnership access, and sustainability impact measurement via Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). It is part of CDP Venture Capital's National Accelerator Network and serves as Italy's first dedicated bioeconomy hub, with focus areas spanning nutraceuticals, circular bio-materials, and regenerative agriculture.

Product overview

Terra Next operates as a bioeconomy-focused accelerator platform offering two interconnected programs: the Acceleration Program for early-stage startups providing mentorship, equity investment (up to 75,000 EUR), and networking, and the Scale-Up Program for startups ready to grow and internationalize. The platform also provides follow-on investment opportunities (up to 200,000 EUR) for high-performing graduates. Together, these programs form a comprehensive support ecosystem from initial acceleration through scale-up stages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Scale-Up Program: Advanced acceleration track for startups in growth and internationalization phase with mentorship, industrial partnerships, and investor access.

Products and services

• Terra Next Acceleration Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 22 startups accelerated across 3 batches
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cariplo FactorycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOperational manager of Terra Next program. Innovation hub that activates talent development through experiential training, entrepreneurial support programs, open innovation projects, venture capital investments, and internationalization support.
• Ministero della transizione ecologica (MiTE)minorOthersItalian ministry providing patronage and regulatory support for the Terra Next bioeconomy initiative.
• Ministero dell'ambiente e della sicurezza energeticaminorOthersItalian ministry responsible for environmental protection and energy security, providing patronage to the bioeconomy accelerator.
• Università degli studi di Napoli Federico IIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner and host of acceleration campus at San Giovanni a Teduccio. Founded in 1224, with 79,000 students, 26 departments, and 52 research centers. Provides research expertise and physical facilities for the program.
• AssobioteccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational biotechnology association part of Federchimica/Confindustria. Represents 120+ companies and technology parks in health, agriculture, environment, and industrial biotechnology sectors.
• Cluster Italiano della Bioeconomia Circolare SPRINGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCircular bioeconomy cluster established in 2014, aggregating 120+ innovative organizations across the renewable chemistry supply chain for CO2 reduction and resource efficiency.
• MateriascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep tech innovation center connecting research and industrial corporations to create science-based enterprises in advanced materials, with 33+ university and research partnerships globally.
• McKinsey & CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational management consulting firm providing strategic advisory support to Terra Next startups on sustainable growth and organizational development.
• Gruppo NestlécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal food and beverage leader since 1866, present in 187 countries. Corporate partner offering startup collaboration opportunities in nutraceuticals and sustainable food innovation areas.
• NovamontcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBenefit Corporation and certified B Corp, international leader in bioplastics and biochemical development. Active since 1990, promoting circular bioeconomy through biorefinery reindustrialization.
• GarofalocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium pasta company founded in 1789 in Gragnano, majority owned by Ebro Foods since 2014. Exports to 80+ countries. Core partner providing innovation needs in food sustainability.
• ESA (European Space Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner with Relicta for Proof of Concept development of water-soluble bioplastics technology.
• Ghelfi OndulaticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner for Relicta's bioplastic Proof of Concept development.
• Plastigraf TrevigianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner collaborating with Relicta on water-soluble bioplastic commercialization.
• Remedio - Sempli FarmacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical partner for Relicta's bioplastic technology Proof of Concept.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Techstars is a global accelerator network running industry-specific programs with equity investment, mentorship, and corporate partnerships. Comparable to Terra Next in accelerator model, though at vastly larger scale and with broader sector coverage; Techstars has programs touching sustainability and biotech that overlap with Terra Next's bioeconomy focus.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play is a global innovation platform and accelerator with vertical-specific programs including sustainability, food/beverage, and biotech. Comparable to Terra Next in accelerator-plus-corporate-partnership model, but operates at global scale with significantly larger deal flow.

Direct peers

• LVenture Group: LVenture Group runs the LUISS EnLabs accelerator in Rome, one of Italy's most prominent startup accelerators, and operates as a publicly listed venture operator. Comparable to Terra Next in providing Italian acceleration services with equity investment, though focused on broader digital/internet sectors.
• Cariplo Factory: Cariplo Factory is the operational manager of Terra Next and itself an Italian innovation hub running accelerator programs, venture investments, and open innovation projects. Comparable to Terra Next in operating accelerator programs in Italy, though at larger scale across multiple sectors.
• BioGeneration Ventures: BioGeneration Ventures is a European venture capital firm specializing in early-stage biotech and life sciences companies. Comparable to Terra Next in targeting bioeconomy/biotech startups with early-stage capital, though BGV operates as a pure VC fund rather than an accelerator and invests across Europe rather than just Italy.
• IndieBio: IndieBio is the world's largest biotech accelerator, providing intensive acceleration, equity investment, and lab facilities to biology-focused startups. Comparable to Terra Next in targeting biotech and bioeconomy startups with accelerator-plus-equity model, though operating globally and at significantly larger scale with more capital-intensive programs.
• Italian Angels for Growth: Italian Angels for Growth (IAG) is Italy's largest business angel network, providing early-stage capital to Italian startups across sectors including sustainability and biotech. Comparable to Terra Next as an Italian early-stage investor focused on high-growth ventures, though operating via angel syndication rather than accelerator programs.
• H-FARM: H-FARM is one of Italy's leading startup accelerators and innovation platforms, operating both early-stage acceleration programs and later-stage venture investing. Comparable to Terra Next as a fellow Italian accelerator, though H-FARM operates across multiple sectors rather than specializing in bioeconomy.
• Farming Future: Farming Future is Italy's national Agrofood Tech Technology Transfer Hub created by CDP Venture Capital, focused on agri-food and agrofood-tech startups. Directly comparable to Terra Next as a fellow CDP-backed accelerator operating in adjacent agrifood/bioeconomy verticals and co-investing with Terra Next in portfolio companies like Kinsect.

Regional players

• European Innovation Council: The European Innovation Council (EIC) is the EU's flagship deep-tech and biotech funding program providing grants and equity to European startups, including through programs that overlap with Terra Next's bioeconomy focus. Comparable as a public-sector funding ecosystem for European deep-tech startups, though operating pan-European rather than nationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments7 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Terra Next