Fitotech: R&D funding to transform urban agriculture

Luxembourg's agricultural sector is undergoing significant transformation. At present, the country produces only 3 to 5% of the vegetables and less than 1% of the fruit consumed by its population. However, a new wave of entrepreneurs is turning to technological innovation to address the challenge of food sovereignty.

It is within this context that Fitotech was founded in 2023 by Vadim Gabel. The company focuses on designing equipment for two soil-free cultivation methods:

• Hydroponics, which uses a neutral and inert substrate;
• Fogponics, which delivers nutrients via a continuous mist to plant roots.

These techniques enable the cultivation of herbs, vegetables and microgreens in controlled environments, unaffected by external climatic conditions. With its low carbon footprint and high efficiency, Fitotech’s model combines technology, agronomy and design to promote urban agriculture that is both local and sustainable. Fitotech already supplies herbs and microgreens to renowned brands such as Cactus and Grosbusch, and counts Maison B restaurant in Bridel among its customers, where vegetables are harvested just minutes before being served.

R&D and urban agriculture: financing innovation

To push boundaries further, Fitotech conducts ongoing research into environmental factors affecting plant growth, such as light, humidity, air circulation and nutrient delivery. "The aim is to optimise crop yield and quality," explains Vadim Gabel, an engineer and graduate of Bauman Moscow State Technical University. "A significant part of our efforts is dedicated to automation, developing systems that simplify operations, minimise manual input, and ensure consistent results, while being able to monitor crop conditions in real time."

These goals are firmly rooted in research and development, which raised the question of securing financial support early on. Fitotech required a funding mechanism tailored to its multidisciplinary project, situated at the intersection of agronomy, technology and industrial design.

Support from Luxinnovation: identifying the right R&D funding

This is where Luxinnovation played a key role. The collaboration between Fitotech and Luxembourg’s National Innovation Agency began around two years ago through formal channels. From the outset, the Luxinnovation team proved responsive and approachable, assisting the company in identifying the most suitable public R&D funding for its profile and objectives.

"Throughout the preparation of the funding application, the support was clear, encouraging and highly professional," shares Mr Gabel. "Rather than merely providing administrative guidance, the Luxinnovation team helped structure the entire process, from framing the project to compiling the necessary documentation. This made the procedure far more organised and manageable."

From funding to market deployment

This support has paid off, with Fitotech securing the funding it sought and successfully completing the first phase of its R&D programme. This achievement reflects both the robustness of the project and the quality of the application submitted.

Building on this initial success, the company is now progressing to Phase 2 of its programme, which focuses on expanding research activities, preparing for commercialisation, and bringing its equipment to market. Fitotech’s ambitious path is driven by a clear vision: to make microgreens and closed-loop cultivation systems widely accessible, moving them from niche products to mainstream solutions.

Do you have an R&D project and need advice on the most suitable funding options? Luxinnovation’s team is here to help.