The agricultural sector must quickly evolve to accommodate the expanding global population. Projections indicate that by 2050, the food system will need to sustain roughly 9.7 billion people while being more environmentally friendly than current practices.

The investment community is recognizing the potential in this field. In 2022, European agritech investment reached an all-time high, with investors funneling $1.4 billion into the industry, up from $1.1 billion in 2021, as per Dealroom statistics.

Here are 11 revolutionary agritech startups to watch closely:

 

Treetoscope

Agriculture accounts for 70% of global water usage, yet existing methods for measuring it are mere approximations. Treetoscope‘s IoT-based technology offers real-time monitoring of crops’ water consumption and irrigation needs, potentially reducing water expenses by 10% to 30%. This groundbreaking device is the first commercial device to sense a plant’s internal water flow and directly measure its water usage.

 

PunaBio

By 2050, an alarming 90% of the Earth’s topsoil is projected to be at risk of degradation due to pollution and salinization. PunaBio addresses this issue by using extremophiles, which are microorganisms that can survive and flourish in harsh environments, to fortify crops against the impacts of climate change and soil deterioration.

 

Planboo

This Sweden-based agritech company focuses on carbon-removal initiatives by utilizing biochar (a charcoal derived from plant materials that aid in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere). Planboo collaborates with farmers in emerging markets, particularly in areas ideal for biochar projects, to enhance the carbon sequestration capacity of their lands.

 

AgroAnt

Originating in Denmark, AgroAnt is pioneering “ants-as-a-service” technology. These ants serve as a natural biofungicide, as living organisms help control the growth of plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria. The company has devised a technique for positioning and maintaining ants in organic apple orchards, significantly reducing waste and offering a unique and inventive approach to nature-based solutions.

 

FarmAct

FarmAct concentrates on digitizing farming administrative tasks, especially those completed by contractors. This German company has made significant progress and is well-positioned to contribute to the anticipated consolidation of agricultural software in Europe.

 

GeoPard

GeoPard is a sophisticated automated precision agriculture analytics platform. It assists crop farming businesses in boosting their return on investment and adopting sustainable agriculture practices by employing advanced spatial data analytics and AI algorithms. GeoPard’s solution contributes to decreasing agricultural pollution caused by herbicides and pesticides, preserving natural resources through reduced water usage, and improving farmers’ climate resilience.

 

BlakBear

BlakBear‘s sensors enable precise and transparent shelf-life assessments for various grocery items, including fish, meat, packaged fruits, vegetables, and pre-made sandwiches. Established by researchers from London’s Imperial College, BlakBear’s affordable solution provides real-time shelf-life data, enhances quality control, and minimizes food waste.

 

Pivotal

Biodiversity encompasses the wide range of species, genes, and ecosystems present in nature for agricultural production to flourish. Yet there are few effective large-scale solutions for evaluating and enhancing biodiversity health. Pivotal employs drones, acoustic sensors, and image sensors to closely monitor biodiversity, converting this data into a tradable asset. Approaches like this enable the market to assign a monetary value to natural capital on a large scale.

 

Gardin

UK-based Gardin provides software to assist vertical farms in boosting their yield and minimizing resource consumption. As input costs increase, the organization’s solution becomes increasingly relevant.

 

Vosbor

Vosbor is a digital marketplace dedicated to the global trade of bulk agricultural commodities. Many view agricultural finance as the next frontier in fintech. The predominantly offline commodities trade infrastructure represents a prime opportunity for disruption, and the company’s solution may be at the forefront of the revolution.

 

Tupu

Founded by former executives from Infarm and Delivery Hero, Tupu seeks to revolutionize the mushroom sector by introducing an incredibly cost-efficient, community-focused, and adaptable farming system. Much like Vosbor, the founders of Tupu exhibit a robust alignment between their expertise and a market that is primed for innovation.