Funding Round attributes
The Colombian startup Sciphage was founded in 2014 by a team of scientists to apply advanced biotechnology to the prevention of diseases in farm animals. Its main line of work is based on the use of bacteriophages, viruses that exclusively attack bacteria, as an alternative to antibiotics in animal production. In 2025, Sciphage was one of four startups selected to participate in the Raíces program, an initiative of the Spanish accelerator Eatable Adventures, through which it received an investment of US$107,000. This funding is part of the support offered by Eatable Adventures to agri-food startups in Latin America and Spain.
With the resources obtained through this program, Sciphage plans to consolidate its expansion strategy, validating its products in new regions of Colombia and projecting alliances with actors in the agricultural sector. It also seeks to strengthen its operational and technical capacity by developing application protocols adapted to different species and production systems, such as poultry and fish farming. Although the investment was allocated jointly to a group of startups, each one - including Sciphage - receives individualized advice to define the most efficient use of the capital, based on its degree of maturity and commercial validation needs.
For the development of the program, the accelerator has relied on the collaboration of international partners of first level: ICEX, to boost the global expansion of startups; CNTA, as a strategic partner in the development and technological validation of its solutions; and large multinational companies in the food sector such as Bimbo Ventures and Alianza Team, which will offer startups the opportunity to collaborate and test their solutions through real pilots and commercial agreements.
The participation of Eatable Adventures as sole investor at this stage has a strategic component: it not only provides capital, but also technical support and access to international agri-food innovation networks. The investment in Sciphage responds to the interest of the Roots programme in promoting technologies that promote cleaner and more efficient production. For Sciphage, this support represents an opportunity to accelerate its market presence and move towards the formalization of regulatory and business processes.
Sciphage’s approach is based on the development of customized biological solutions to combat bacteria such as Salmonella, which affect animal health and food safety. Their products use selected bacteriophages that act specifically on pathogens without damaging the rest of the microbiome or generating contaminating residues. This makes it possible to offer a real alternative to the use of antibiotics, aligned with the principles of sustainability, animal welfare, and public health. The team combines scientific research, field validation, and technology transfer in collaboration with academic centres and local producers.
"The experience we have acquired over these years in the Foodtech sector gives us a complete and accurate view of the ecosystem, which has allowed us to select and invest in startups with greater potential for development and that meet the needs of the sector.", said José Luis Cabañero, founder and CEO of Eatable Adventures. "Incorporating technology and innovation is essential to increase production, optimize resources, and reduce the environmental footprint of the food system".
The support of Eatable Adventures, through its Roots program, offers Sciphage not only funding but also visibility within the international agri-food ecosystem. This support is key for science-based startups that require long development cycles. The entry of an investor specializing in agri-food innovation can facilitate future investment rounds, as well as the integration of Sciphage into broader value chains in the sector. For the market, the bet on this type of solution opens up new possibilities in the transition towards more sustainable and safe production models.
