Salamanca will become the national epicenter of the bioeconomy with the celebration of the Green Innovation Forum
The city of Salamanca reinforces its position as a strategic enclave for the bioeconomy and agri-food innovation in Castilla y León, hosting a meeting that aims to place the territory on the European map of food innovation.
On April 21st, the city of Salamanca will become the national meeting point for green biotechnology and agri-food with the Green Innovation Forum 2026. Organized by the Spanish Association of Bio-enterprises (AseBio) in collaboration with the Salamanca City Council, the event will bring together key players in the sector at the Conference and Exhibition Centre to address the challenges redefining agri-food and biotechnology, with a clear focus on accelerating the transition to a more sustainable, resilient, and innovative food system.
The program will emphasize regulatory environments for experimentation, with the launch of the pioneering AgriFoodTech Sandbox, which will allow companies and entrepreneurs to test technologies, products, and services in a controlled environment, thus accelerating their market entry. At the same time, the forum will analyze the path from scientific innovation to commercial application, examining everything from patents to industrial scaling and the opportunities that arise to transform new technologies into viable business projects.
Biotechnology applied to food will be another central focus of the forum, exploring how tools such as precision fermentation, the use of enzymes, and microbiome-based solutions are transforming the development of more sustainable and nutritious foods and ingredients. The industry will also have a space to express its needs and expectations, identifying collaboration opportunities and mechanisms for bringing innovation from research to the market.
Beyond strategic discussions, the Green Innovation Forum becomes a true hub connecting innovation and investment. Thanks to its partnering platform, attendees will be able to meet directly with startups, investors, corporations, and experts, generating collaborations and real business opportunities. Specialized funds, companies, and entities in the agri-food sector will share the stage with startups presenting their solutions, creating a unique environment where knowledge, investment, and industrial capacity combine to drive and scale innovation in food and biotechnology.
“For Salamanca, hosting the Green Innovation Forum is a recognition of our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and green biotechnology. It is a unique opportunity to showcase how our city combines tradition and scientific knowledge with a modern and competitive ecosystem,” says Pedro Martínez, Councilor for Economic Development of the Salamanca City Council. Attendees will be able to enjoy high-level networking, collaboration with leading institutions and companies, access to cutting-edge knowledge, and the possibility of exploring synergies in open innovation projects, Martínez emphasizes. “Participating in the forum means being at the forefront of green biotechnology and learning firsthand about the most innovative and sustainable projects in Spain and Europe.”
At a time when the food system must reinvent itself to face climate, demographic, and economic challenges, spaces like the Green Innovation Forum are more necessary than ever. The transition to a more sustainable food system requires connecting talent, investment, and industry to transform innovation into real solutions. In this context, the city of Salamanca reinforces its position as a strategic enclave for the bioeconomy and agri-food innovation in Castilla y León, hosting a meeting that aims to place the territory on the European map of food innovation.