The global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, and the demand for food will increase by 60%. This means that it is important now, more than ever to find sustainable food production methods to effectively feed everyone.
The AgTech industry has been trying to solve this problem with innovative ag & food tech startups, which are finding creative solutions in biotechnology, data analytics, energy efficiency, and much more. In this blog, I want to cover the 10 AgTech startups that are worth keeping an eye on in 2022!
The rise of ag & food tech in the past few years has given way to a host of new possibilities in farming and agriculture. From cutting down production costs, enhancing food crop yields to boosting overall productivity. The industry is experiencing exponential growth in agricultural startups that all have their own form of a world-changing idea.
Whether it’s tracking harvests, building greenhouses, or providing AI-driven services & insights to farmers and companies, these ag and food tech companies are all committed to providing smart and creative new technologies, services, and solutions to feed the world and build a more promising future for agriculture.
From industry favorites to upcoming heavyweights, here are the 10 agriculture technology startups to watch out for in 2022.
Top 10 AgTech Startups to Watch in 2022
10. Connecterra
Founded in 2015, Connecterra is an Amsterdam-based technology company that “helps to run the most efficient dairy farm by working with farmers to identify issues, recommend solutions and streamline operations.”
Their mission is to train AI to farm, empowering farmers of all sizes to increase the productivity of their farms. Simultaneously, reducing the impact of traditional farming on the planet.
Connecterra has integrated a machine learning platform into their dairy assistant farm management software, that connects farmers and the value chain to identify issues on-farm, recommend solutions, and support farmers to make the transition to sustainable farming and agriculture.
9. Carbon Robotics
Carbon Robotics is pioneering the next revolution in agriculture through the deployment of innovative technology and hardware. Their first product, the Autonomous LaserWeeder, is purpose-built to tackle one of the industry’s biggest problems: weed control.
By leveraging artificial intelligence and laser technology, Carbon Robotics’ revolutionary, high-precision approach improves crop yield, provides safer working conditions for farmers, reduces overall costs associated with modern farms, and creates sustainable alternative paths to regenerative and organic produce without the need to use harmful chemicals.
The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Seattle.
8. EarthSense
EarthSense is an AgTech company that develops ultra-compact and autonomous robots for food crop breeders, scientists, and farm growers.
Their technology led them to develop and create their own autonomous robot, TerraSentia. This smart robot features an entire lineup of sensors that collect data & insights from plants and crops, allowing farmers and scientists to determine data-driven decisions that will directly affect their crops’ health, physiology, and stress response.
7. Smallhold
Smallhold is the first organic mushroom farm in NYC that allows restaurants, grocery stores, and other food-related businesses to grow their own mushrooms and greens on-site.
Founded in 2018, the startup has so far been featured in several mainstream publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Bon Appetit.
Smallhold’s technology cuts out the middlemen of the food value chain and in doing so dramatically cuts down on potential food loss, giving both domestic and hospitality kitchens their very own source of protein and iron-rich mushrooms & greens.
6. Agrilution
Agrilution is inspired by vertical farms to provide a domestic alternative. This alternative allows for the harvest of leafy greens, herbs, and fresh vegetables whenever you wanted them in your own kitchen. All of which are grown without pesticides, packed full of nutrients, and produced sustainably.
The startup was founded in 2013 and is based in Munich.
The PlantCube technology along with resources like the seedbars, allows for domestic kitchens to harvest fresh all year round. Fully automated and app-controlled, 100% natural, no pesticides or genetic engineering. With up to 30x more nutrients.
The Plantcube can protect the soil, save water and reduce waste.
5. The Yield
The Yield is an Australian AgTech company on a mission to transform food and farming practices by building secure, scalable digital technology.
Working closely with growers and suppliers to design products as a commitment to solving real crop quality challenges.
The Yield wants to help growers make faster, more informed decisions that impact yield and reduce their risks. This is achieved by providing an integrated set of AgTech solutions that sense, analyse, and predict on-farm growing conditions.
The Yield technology combines hardware, data analytics, and user-friendly apps. Their solutions can help increase yield, reduce waste, mitigate risk and cost, and aid in sustainable environmental practices.
The Yield’s Sensing+ GPS technology can provide insights to producers, as well as continual updates for precision agriculture.
4. OnePointOne
While most startups on this list have been more focused on traditional farming, OnePointOne is a global network of automated vertical farms, growing food, developing medicines, and discovering the genetics to nourish and heal humanity.
OnePointOne is revolutionising vertical farming by building the most technologically advanced cultivation platform on the planet through innovations in automation, AI, and plant science.
Their industry-leading, proprietary indoor farm technology is designed to maximise plant output while providing growth insights, and minimising environmental impact.
3. Agrobot
Experts in mechatronics and pioneers in the field of agricultural robotics, their visionary team is strongly committed to creating cost-effective solutions for farmers suffering from labour shortages.
Their most notable technology to help improve industry practices is the E-series, which is a robotic harvester for gently harvesting strawberries.
2. Apeel
Apeel is a FoodTech startup that is focused on food waste instead of food loss.
Inspired by nature’s own methods of preservation, Apeel was founded on a mission to build a barrier that could be applied to fruits and vegetables using edible materials that could slow down the rate of spoilage, and maintain freshness quality in food products.
Founded in 2012 with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Apeel works with partners ranging from small family-owned farmers and local organic growers to the world’s largest food brands.
Apeel is on a mission to make better quality, more sustainable, and longer-lasting products a reality. This mission results in creating value throughout the supply chain, and more abundant future food supplies.
1. PostHarvest
Postharvest has created a micro-sensor system that measures produce health and ripeness stages within storage facilities. This allows operators to have accurate insights and real-time data 24/7.
This data helps users with shipment forecasts, ensuring that shipments reach their final destination at the most optimal time. PostHarvest’s revolutionary technology has already been proven to reduce food loss by up to 33% within the supply chain.
To further help industry workers and consumers optimise fresh produce supplies, PostHarvest has created the world’s first free online course platform for both parties, to ensure the best practices and solutions are being implemented when interacting with fruits and vegetables.
Between cold chain technologies and educational material, PostHarvest is looking to change the future of fresh produce.
Summary
The AgTech company startups highlighted in this article are working hard to solve many of our world’s agricultural problems with their technologies, including food loss, climate change, and sustainability issues related to food production.
These 10 companies are revolutionising how the world thinks of, produces, and consumes food. Each startup and its innovations are having a significant impact across the food chain.
It will be interesting to see how these startups continue innovating for 2022 and beyond. If there are any companies that you think should be highlighted on this list, let us know!
