Ag Navigator Highlights GLOCAL’s Strategic Vision for AgriFoodTech
Managing Partner Bernardo Milesy recently sat down with AgTechNavigator’s Oliver Morrison to unpack GLOCAL’s unique approach to investing in the future of food and agriculture in Latin America. The article highlights how our team’s deep experience led to the creation of the Clean AgriFoodTech Playbook—a strategic guide for generating real returns while driving systemic change across the region. “The Playbook is key for us,” Bernardo explains. “We want everyone to succeed, because we all need it.” The conversation covers why we’re doubling down on agrifintech, bio-based inputs, and climate-smart technologies, and how our certified B Corp status and hands-on model set us apart. It also features standout startups like Blooms and Kilimo, touches on our GLOCAL Game Changers program, and spotlights our current $50M fundraise aimed at scaling innovation across LATAM.
🌱 From Game Changer to Portfolio Company: Blooms’ Journey with GLOCAL
We’re excited to announce the newest addition to our portfolio: Blooms, a fast-growing AgriFintech startup that just closed a $2.6 million seed round with GLOCAL participating as an investor. Blooms first joined our ecosystem through the 2024 edition of GLOCAL Game Changers, where it gained specialized mentoring, strategic exposure, and valuable connections—including visibility at our Final Pitch Day that helped attract new backers.
Blooms provides digital financial services to underserved farmers, offering embedded credit solutions and tools that improve financial access and crop management.
Their addition to our portfolio is a strong example of our AgriCatalyst investment thesis, as defined in the GLOCAL´s Clean AgriFoodTech Playbook: B2B, tech-driven solutions with fast adoption, built to integrate seamlessly into existing operations and scale efficiently through digital infrastructure and remote support.
GLOCAL Game Changers 2025 is officially open for applications!
🚀 Applications are open for GLOCAL Game Changers 2025, Latin America’s leading program for early-stage AgriFoodTech and ClimateTech startups. With up to USD 500K in investment, direct access to corporates, VCs, and early adopters, and a dedicated sales acceleration track, this is your opportunity to scale with purpose.
Past editions featured key partners like Bayer, Bunge, LDC, Galicia Ventures, and Boortmalt. Ready to scale?
Apply now: https://bit.ly/GGC-2025](https://bit.ly/GGC-2025)
📰Industry Highlights
🌎 Historic merger in Brazil creates global food giant
Marfrig and BRF have announced a full merger, forming MBRF Global Foods Company SA, with projected revenue of R$150 billion. Through a R$17 billion stock swap deal, the new entity becomes one of the world’s largest players in animal protein and processed foods.
💸 Amaggi steps in to rescue Argentina’s Los Grobo Group
Brazilian agribusiness giant Amaggi has agreed to inject capital into Los Grobo, the Argentine agricultural group currently facing financial difficulties. The deal will allow Amaggi to become both a shareholder and key supplier, marking a strategic move that could reshape part of Argentina’s agri sector.
🇲🇽 Mexico set to become top destination for U.S. agricultural exports
Mexico is on track to surpass Canada as the main destination for U.S. ag exports in 2025, driven by rising demand for grains, meat, and dairy. Economic recovery, exchange rates, and trade tensions with China are shifting U.S. focus to closer, more stable partners. Still, recent tariff disputes pose potential risks to this trade relationship.
🌱 GoodSAM Foods: regenerative agriculture with real impact
U.S.-based GoodSAM Foods is disrupting regenerative agriculture with a direct trade model. By eliminating intermediaries and working directly with farmers in developing countries, they ensure fair prices—2x to 4x above conventional—and reinvest 1% of sales into farming communities. The company supports sustainable practices while keeping more value at the source.
🔎 Featured AgriFoodTech rounds
🌿 ClearLeaf raises $3.5 million to bring non-toxic pathogen control to global markets
📊 Agrotools hits $40 million in revenue with ag data made in Brazil
🤖 SciCrop secures $200K from Rural Ventures, aims to raise over $1M
🧬 Argentinian startup raises $1.25M to replace glyphosate with new agtech solution
🧫 BioPlaster raises $655K for producing cutting-edge biodegradable materials
🚜Agroforte raises R$34 million to grant credit to small rural producers
💼 Portfolio News
🌾 Auravant strengthens SIMA’s value proposition as a PaaS platform
Auravant has signed a strategic partnership with SIMA, an agronomic monitoring platform focused on mid-sized farming businesses. SIMA will integrate Auravant’s precision agriculture features, including zoning and GIS integration, to enhance its offering as an FMIS. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in connecting complementary solutions within the regional agtech ecosystem.
💧 Kilimo expands partnership with Microsoft to improve water management in California
Kilimo has announced the expansion of its partnership with Microsoft to promote more efficient water use in California’s Central Valley, a key agricultural region in the U.S. The project aims to help local farmers modernize their irrigation systems in collaboration with Netafim North America, using technologies such as GrowSphere.
The goal is to reduce water use by up to 50% through digital tools and technical support, while enhancing agricultural sustainability and resilience. This initiative marks Kilimo’s first milestone in the U.S. market and builds on its previous work with Microsoft in Chile and Mexico.
🌾 ZoomAgri gains international visibility at key industry events
ZoomAgri was invited by Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and ANEC to participate in Santos Grain Day, where it showcased its technology to industry leaders in the grain sector. Additionally, the startup was nominated for the Cheers Award, a recognition granted by AB InBev’s founding families to the most innovative startups working with the company globally.
Kilimo, in partnership with Microsoft, launched its first U.S. project in California’s Central Valley to cut agricultural water use by up to 50% through efficient irrigation. Kilimo CEO Jairo Trad called it a “key step” for water availability, while Microsoft’s Eliza Roberts highlighted it as a “vital solution” for climate resilience, supporting Microsoft’s “water-positive” goal by 2030 and aiding four growers with precision irrigation
