Sometimes, the best ideas come from the places you least expect. That was certainly true at AgriVenture Finland 2025, where two Estonian innovation projects stood out on the international stage.
Held on May 27–28 in Saarijärvi, AgriVenture Finland is the largest agtech and food innovation event in the Nordic countries. It brings together startups, researchers, farmers, investors, and decision-makers to share ideas and shape the future of agriculture.
One of the key highlights of the event was a pitching competition organized by the Finnish Rural Network, where EIP-AGRI Operational Groups (European Innovation Partnership) had the chance to present their cutting-edge solutions. Out of 19 applications from six countries—including Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia—eight teams were selected to pitch in the final round. Among them were two Estonian operational groups: WiseCow and Smart GrainDryer.
WiseCow: Health Tech for Cows, from Birth to Barn
WiseCow is developing a comprehensive system to help farmers track and improve the health and well-being of their cattle, using real-time data and smart technology. The project builds on earlier research by the Estonian Dairy Cluster, which developed a subcutaneous implant that continuously monitors a cow’s body temperature — without any human involvement.
"Most solutions on the market only focus on tracking when cows are in heat,” says Hardi Tamm, project leader of WiseCow. “Our system goes beyond that. It helps farmers monitor the overall health and condition of the animal throughout its entire lifespan.”
Their new WiseCow Find application also makes it easier to locate animals on the farm — saving time and streamlining daily operations.
"Farm workers often spend a lot of time just looking for animals. We can cut that time in half and free them up to focus on what really matters — caring for the animals," Tamm adds.
Smart GrainDryer: Automating the Drying Process to Save Time and Energy
The second Estonian team, Smart GrainDryer, is working on a remote control system for grain dryers. The solution enables operators to monitor and manage the drying process from a mobile device. Using machine learning, the system can also run automated drying programs based on real-time data.
The goal? Less manual labor, greater efficiency, and lower energy use. The system helps farmers save on fuel, gas, and electricity — all while improving grain quality and shelf life.
This kind of technology can make a big difference, especially during the busy harvest season, when every hour (and every euro) counts.
Making Meaningful Connections Beyond the Competition
While the €2,500 prize—donated by the Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation—was a great incentive, many participants found the networking and idea-sharing to be the most valuable part of the experience.
"AgriVenture was incredibly valuable for me as a scientific partner in an EIP Operational Group,” said Kairi Raime, a scientific partner in the Honey DNA project. "Being able to meet innovators, researchers, and farmers face-to-face creates a different kind of connection than what you get online. The spontaneous conversations led to real ideas for future collaboration."
Estonia Making Its Mark in AgTech
Estonia may be small, but it’s clearly punching above its weight when it comes to agricultural innovation. With solutions that tackle real-world farming challenges — from reducing labor with smart automation to enhancing animal welfare through digital health — these Estonian teams are proving that big impact can come from small countries.
As European agriculture continues to evolve, events like AgriVenture highlight the importance of international collaboration and provide a platform for the kinds of solutions that will shape the future of food.
