Agriculture, one of the oldest human practices, has evolved significantly over the centuries. From traditional farming methods to modern practices incorporating advanced technologies, agriculture has continually adapted to meet the growing demands of a global population. Today, with over 8 billion people in the world, the need for food and sustainable farming practices is more critical than ever.
Agtech, or agricultural technology, plays a crucial role in this evolution, offering solutions that enhance crop yields, reduce resource usage, and minimise environmental impact. These innovations are transforming the way we grow and produce food, making farming more efficient, sustainable, and resilient to challenges such as climate change and food security. In Europe, agtech companies are at the forefront of this transformation, developing innovative solutions tailored to the region’s unique challenges.
On that note, we have curated a list of 10 promising startups in Europe that are leading the way in agtech innovation. From innovative seed technologies and biological solutions to advanced environmental accounting and precision farming tools, these companies are making significant strides in promoting sustainable agriculture.
Agricarbon: Based in Dundee, Agricarbon measures and validates soil carbon capture and storage for farms and carbon markets. Their technology supports farmers in enhancing soil health while contributing to climate change mitigation. Founded in 2020, Agricarbon leverages advanced soil analysis techniques to quantify carbon sequestration, providing crucial data for carbon credit markets. The company has raised €14.3 million to advance its sustainable farming solutions.
Agrobiomics: Headquartered in Copenhagen, Agrobiomics works to make agriculture resilient to climate change by offering biological solutions. Their natural biostimulants help crops cope with stresses like drought and salinity, enabling sustainable and efficient farming. These biostimulants require very low doses per hectare, allowing farmers to grow more food sustainably and profitably. Founded in 2022, the company has raised €6 million to support its mission and has received several innovation grants and recognitions.
Biocentis: Headquartered in London, Biocentis aims to revolutionise insect control through advanced genome engineering and a unique technological platform. They develop environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions to combat agricultural pests and insect vector-borne diseases, reducing reliance on chemical insecticides. Their technology aims to prevent harmful insect populations from reproducing in large numbers, safeguarding crops and biodiversity. Biocentis strives for a more sustainable world free from vector-borne diseases and capable of feeding a growing population. Founded in 2022 a spin-out from Imperial College London they have raised €3 million.
Carbon Maps: Based in Lille, Carbon Maps offers a comprehensive, science-based, data-driven environmental accounting platform for the food industry. Their SaaS platform, rooted in robust scientific models and standards, enables agri-food industry players to perform rapid, high-precision assessments of the environmental impact of their products and agricultural raw materials throughout their entire food supply chain. Founded in 2022, Carbon Maps has raised €7 million to support its mission of promoting sustainability in the agri-food sector.
Gardin: Based in London, Gardin develops optical phenotyping technology and analytics to optimise food production. This technology allows for the early detection of stress factors like drought, disease, and heat stress, enabling growers to respond quickly and effectively. Their platform helps increase yield, improve quality, reduce costs, and minimise crop variability by continuously adjusting the environment to meet the precise needs of the plants. The fully automated system is easy to integrate with existing farm management software, providing scalable and affordable solutions for modern agriculture. Founded in 2020, Gardin combines cutting-edge technology with deep agricultural expertise, having raised €11.1 million to revolutionise food production through advanced analytics.
Klim: Headquartered in Berlin, Klim enables farmers to transition to regenerative agriculture at scale by providing financial support, knowledge, documentation tools, and a community via their digital companion for farmers. Klim-verified carbon removal credits, generated by Klim farmers, help companies offset their carbon emissions locally with maximum impact and transparency. Founded in 2020, Klim has raised €6.5 million to drive the adoption of regenerative farming practices globally.
Protealis: Based in Gent, Protealis creates improved seeds and seed technologies for legume crops to enhance their adaptability to the European environment. Their goal is to be Europe’s best germplasm provider for sustainable plant proteins. They combine high-tech breeding techniques and microbial research to create sustainable, high-yield crops that reduce the need for nitrogen fertilisation. By focusing on legume crops, Protealis helps address Europe’s protein deficit and provides local, eco-friendly sourcing options. Founded in 2021, they have raised over €39 million to support sustainable agriculture and food security.
SEEDERAL Technologies: Headquartered in France, SEEDERAL Technologies manufactures agriculture, construction, and mining machinery. Their innovative agricultural tractors, powered by electric motors, deliver 160 horsepower while reducing the cost of ownership for farmers. Founded in 2020, SEEDERAL Technologies has raised €12 million to advance its mission of revolutionising agricultural machinery with sustainable solutions.
Source.ag: Based in Amsterdam, Source.ag accelerates access to fresh fruit and vegetables through A.I.-powered glasshouses. Their proprietary algorithms simulate plant behaviour to define and execute optimal cultivation strategies, considering millions of data points on climate, biology, and resources. Founded in 2020, Source.ag has raised €34.3 million to make glasshouse agriculture accessible, profitable, and globally scalable, providing nutritious food to more people with fewer resources.
UNDO: Headquartered in London, UNDO is a world-leading carbon dioxide removal project developer specialising in enhanced rock weathering. This nature-enabled technology permanently locks away carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Founded in 2022, UNDO accelerates this natural process by spreading crushed rock onto agricultural land, where it enhances soil health and supports ocean deacidification. The company has raised €11.1 million to advance its mission of scalable carbon removal and improved soil health.
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Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/08/cultivating-change-10-promising-european-startups-focused-on-agriculture/
