EM4FIT Project: Innovation and Sustainability from Argentina

Photo from EM4FIT research

In an increasingly interconnected and challenging world, innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship have become essential pillars for the future of our societies. At Tetuan Valley, we are committed to strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems that operate from these values. Therefore, we are deeply proud to participate in EM4FIT , a project funded by the European Union ( Horizon 2020 MSCA RISE ) that seeks to explore how sustainability is experienced and managed in different global contexts .

EM4FIT connects universities, research centers, and innovation organizations to foster applied research on sustainable entrepreneurship . Thanks to this opportunity, for the past three years our team has been conducting international research stays that allow us to generate valuable knowledge and strengthen our mission of promoting startups with real impact.

This article is part of a special series where we share lessons learned from each destination. We begin with Argentina, a country where resilience and creativity are essential for entrepreneurship in highly uncertain environments.

Exploring the sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem in Argentina

During July and August 2023, our Director of Innovation, Agustina Milanini , interviewed ten Argentine startups working in sustainability, social innovation, and emerging technologies. The interviews were conducted in collaboration with CONICET , Argentina's Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, and with the methodological participation of CUNEF University , the academic institution that led the design of the interviews for this project.

This research took place in a complex socioeconomic context, marked by presidential elections, chronic inflation, and restrictions on the import of technological inputs. These factors affect growth opportunities but also foster new ways of understanding sustainability as a strategy for survival and transformation.

Photo of the EM4FIT Argentina project

EM4FIT Argentina

Our methodology

Ten qualitative interviews were conducted with startups from La Plata, Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, and Necochea, focusing on five main areas: the entrepreneur's background, sustainability vision, business objectives, people management, and the relationship between economic and impact objectives. The analysis sought to identify patterns, tensions, and best practices that could inspire other entrepreneurs and public policymakers.

Key findings: innovation, sustainability, and resilience

Among the projects analyzed we find inspiring examples:

  1. Camet develops robotic and artificial vision machinery for agriculture, focusing on productive decentralization and community training.

  2. LUMI uses ultraviolet light technology to reduce the use of agrochemicals in crops such as strawberries and cannabis.

  3. Michroma innovates in biotechnology to produce natural colorants with a strong focus on social inclusion.

  4. Necológica transforms plastic waste into furniture and promotes inclusive work networks.

  5. MOT repurposes human hair to create agricultural and hydrocarbon absorption solutions, while also integrating people into social reintegration processes.

  6. VICI boosts local commerce in inland regions through a WhatsApp sales automation platform, leveraging accessible and decentralized technology.

  7. Virivirivins offers wine tasting experiences combined with medicinal plants, redefining community well-being from a perspective of sustainability and territorial roots.

  8. EYWA develops biosynthetic compounds for the treatment of mental health disorders, democratizing access to innovative and ethical therapies.

  9. Nanoingreen transforms conventional foods into functional foods through applied biotechnology, promoting the regeneration of local agri-food systems.

  10. Alkimia produces artisanal gin with values of social inclusion and energy sustainability, creating collaborative networks among impactful entrepreneurs.

Each startup reflects that sustainability is not a rhetoric , but a practice deeply adapted to local needs, where economic resilience is an indispensable pillar for sustaining environmental and social commitments.

Conclusions: ecosystems that adapt and evolve

The study shows that in highly unstable contexts, sustainability is redefined based on economic urgency, but it doesn't disappear: it evolves . The Argentine startups interviewed show that sustainable innovation is built:

  • From efficiency and resilience strategies;

  • Through inclusive production models and local alliances;

  • With a focus on tangible social and environmental impact;

A clear need also emerges: flexible financing, adapted regulatory frameworks, and active public policies that support impact ventures in challenging environments.

This article is just a snapshot of the valuable lessons learned from the EM4FIT Argentina project. If you're interested in learning how Argentine startups are leading sustainable innovation processes in a crisis-hit context, we invite you to download the full report.

Join the conversation about how we can build more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems around the world!



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