It’s reported that in 2020, the stock market listings for AgriTech startups grew eightfold, to more than US$31 billion. This year is set to be another exciting year for AgriTech, with innovative collaborations and products. Here’s a roundup of some of the key developments over the last month.
My personal highlight was attending the World Agri-Tech Summit, where I heard from leading agribusinesses, growers, tech companies, startups and investors in the industry. My key takeaway from the event was the huge potential for acceleration within the industry, and the creation of innovative products, services, and technologies to help us realise our global food security goals.
NASA Harvest and CropX Partnership
NASA Harvest and CropX have announced their partnership to support sustainable agriculture. NASA Harvest’s mission includes improving food security and advancing sustainable agriculture, supporting farmer productivity while preserving natural resources worldwide through the use of satellite data. CropX is a global leader in soil analytics for agriculture, and by working with NASA Havest, they will provide farmer and industry experts with the data and information they need to improve farming sustainability by conserving resources and improving crop yields.
Hydrofarm introduces new products
Hydrofarm Holdings Group’s new products are ushering in a new age for sustainable indoor farming., As the leading manufacturer of hydroponics equipment and commercial horticultural products, Hydrofarm has announced new products, expanding their innovative offering in lighting, climate control, nutrients and growing. This offering includes the Rock Rootinator, fortifying plants against negative environmental stress and helps bring plants back to health with a Super Charge Root Tonic.
AeroFarms
AeroFarms, a vertical farming startup, is going public through a SPAC deal, valued at US$1.2 billion, which will close in quarter two of this year. AeroFarms is a leader in the world of vertical farming, and they have developed patented and award-winning technology in plant biology, mechanical design, environmental control, data science, operations and plant genetics.
AlgaEnergy becomes a B Corproation
AlgaEnergy is the first company in its sector to become a B corporation with its innovative work in the industrial development of microalgae biotechnology. B Corp is the only standard that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
