The awards reinforce Granada’s role as an innovation hub and demonstrate how Granada and Córdoba are joining forces through AI applied to the agri-food chain.
Granada’s talent took center stage at the 3rd International Congress on Artificial Intelligence Applied to the Agri-food Chain (SembrAI 2025), held on September 25th and 26th at the University of Córdoba. In the startup competition finals, two projects originating in Granada took home the top prizes:
• Bisari, with its innovative pollination solution using drones and Artificial Intelligence, which replaces the work of bees in crops, won the award for most sustainable startup.
• Hidroinfiltrador, a spinoff from the University of Granada, received the award for most innovative startup thanks to its device that can be buried in each plant, capable of combating the effects of drought and improving olive grove productivity.
These awards reinforce Granada’s role as a hub for innovation and demonstrate how Granada and Córdoba are joining forces through AI applied to the agri-food chain, consolidating Andalusia’s position as a European and Latin American leader in the sector.
Science, young talent, and business innovation
The event brought together more than 1,000 attendees, both in person and online, representing 25 countries, featuring 40 top-level speakers, and enjoying institutional support from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Regional Government of Andalusia, the Provincial Council of Córdoba, and the City Council of Córdoba.
The academic dimension was reflected in the 10 scientific papers selected by the Scientific Committee, with the participation of universities and centers of excellence that consolidate Córdoba’s role as a leader in applied research in agri-food AI.
The SembrAI Invest space facilitated more than 50 investment meetings between startups and international funds. The total investment mobilized by the event is estimated at 7 million euros.
Connecting with future talent materialized in practical workshops with more than 150 vocational training students, strengthening the link between innovation, education, and entrepreneurship.
Media Impact and Return on Investment
The congress generated an unprecedented media return, with more than 25 million impressions in print, radio, TV, and digital media in Spain and Latin America.
The most revealing statistic is the calculation of the extended ROI (economic, social, and reputational): for every €1 invested in the Congress, at least €4 of overall value has been generated, translating into direct and indirect economic impact on the city, training, knowledge transfer, and the consolidation of Córdoba as an international hub for AI in the agri-food sector, in connection with the AI Hub in Granada.
Córdoba and Granada, capitals of AI in the agri-food sector
With this success, Córdoba and Granada, as well as the Universities of Córdoba and Granada, are consolidating their position as the leading European and Latin American hubs for Artificial Intelligence applied to agriculture and food. The next edition, SembrAI 2026, will be held on September 24 and 25, 2026, expanding its scope with an exhibition space dedicated to robotics, machinery, and smart tools.
Juan Francisco Delgado, Executive Vice President of the European Foundation for Innovation (INTEC), emphasized: “SembraI 2025 has demonstrated that Córdoba and Granada, together, are not only leaders in heritage, but also in technological innovation and sustainability. The overall return on investment for the event is evidence that investing in knowledge and innovation exponentially multiplies the value for society.”
Source: IDEAL