The startup Infira, born from Conicet and UNL, has been awarded by WIPO for a technology that allows for two harvests from a single planting, regenerating the soil.
A startup from Santa Fe has achieved what seemed impossible: doubling harvests without the need for replanting. Infira, emerging from the laboratories of Conicet and the National University of Litoral (UNL), has just received an international award from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a United Nations agency, for an innovation that promises to transform agriculture.
The technology developed by Infira allows a plant to regrow after the first harvest, generating a second production from the same seed. As explained by Renata Reinheimer, a researcher at the Institute of Agrobiotechnology of Litoral (IAL-CONICET-UNL) and CEO of the startup, the system reduces the use of machinery and inputs, improves carbon capture, and promotes soil regeneration.
“From one seed, two harvests are obtained,” Reinheimer summarised during an interview on the programme Mañana UNO. The scientist detailed that, by not removing the crop, the roots remain alive and continue to grow, which generates “very important” environmental benefits framed within regenerative agriculture.
The recognition from WIPO came during a competition that brought together over 4,000 companies from 130 countries. Of the 33 finalists, only 11 projects were distinguished in various categories. Infira won the award as a startup in the Food and Agro category, following a rigorous international evaluation process.
The team travelled to Geneva to collect the award, which values not only technological innovation but also a solid intellectual property strategy. Reinheimer highlighted that the award represents an opportunity to showcase the scientific potential of the province of Santa Fe to the world.
Infira operates in the Litoral Centro Technology Park, in the city of Santa Fe. Its business model is not based on producing seeds, but on developing the technology to a point where it can be licensed to seed companies capable of scaling it commercially. “We work with knowledge. We don’t package seeds, but develop the technology so that it can then be adopted by the industry,” the CEO clarified.
The scientist emphasised that the journey from the laboratory to the market requires investment, validations, and strategic alliances with national and international companies. In this regard, she valued the role of the Santa Fe scientific and technological ecosystem, which articulates public universities, Conicet, the private sector, and institutions supporting entrepreneurship.
“In Santa Fe, we have all the necessary gears to coordinate science with the productive system and ensure that knowledge reaches the field,” Reinheimer stated. She also acknowledged the support received to establish the company, made possible by the joint efforts of researchers, institutions, and entrepreneurs.
Beyond the international recognition, Reinheimer hopes that Infira's case will serve as inspiration for other entrepreneurs. “There are many companies and many researchers with extraordinary ideas that have yet to take the leap. Showcasing this case can serve as inspiration and demonstrate that quality knowledge is produced in Santa Fe and Argentina,” she affirmed.
The startup plans to continue advancing in the development of its technology and establish new alliances to bring its innovation to fields worldwide. The WIPO award opens doors and places Infira on the global map of agrobiotechnology.
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