This “direct trade” model cuts out the middlemen so that GoodSAM works directly with the growers and their farmer associations.
Kelp Blue founder Daniel Hooft discusses the ups and downs of farming giant kelp and his journey from the oil industry to aquaculture.
SAYeTECH combines hardware and Internet of Things (IoT) embedded systems to build tools specific to Africa’s smallholder farming communities.
In addition to honey and ancient grains, the company has now launched a coffee product that’s being distributed in the US and Europe.
Plus: chatbots for cultivated meat are here.
Project will “provide capital to farmers in one of the poorest parts of the world through carbon credits,” says Uganda-based agtech partner NileOrbital Aerospace.
In an interview with AgFunder News YoLa Fresh co-founders explain how their company is addressing key challenges like food waste, inefficiencies in fresh produce distribution, and limited market access for smallholder farmers.
Plus: Australia firm banks new funds for biopackaging innovations.
Startups in the Ag Marketplaces & Fintech category have taken the top spot for funding in recent months, bringing in $65 million, or 41% total investment on the continent so far in 2024
“BIFT is a significant step forward in addressing the smallholder financing gap by unlocking much-needed private capital.”
While it accounts for a small fraction of global investment in the field, Africa’s agrifoodtech sector is showing mild growth in 2024, with startups raising $145 million in the first half of 2024, a 1.6% year-over-year increase vs H1, 2023.
Plus: Germany’s forward earth raises money for its environmental management software.
Impact measurement firm 60 Decibels has released what it says is the first-ever study of smallholder farmers’ experiences with digital tools.
Legume Technology secured a $2.83 million grant from the Gates Foundation for its microbial biofertilizer that increases crop yield.
Mercy Corps Ventures has partnered with Stable Foods to launch a new pilot that will test IoT-based irrigation systems for smallholder farms.
Meanwhile, a longtime hot-dog-eating champion got the boot from a famous contest, and plant-based meat is the culprit.
“Our system is anchored on delivering fresh produce at the right price in a timely manner,” says co-founder Youssef Mamou.
Ag insights platform Gro Intelligence is calling it quits after failing to secure enough capital to stay afloat following a turbulent few months, AgFunderNews understands.
Plus: more layoffs at Deere and new fundraising to bring AI into the hospitality biz.
Plus: alt-protein investor Big Idea Ventures enters the biologicals sector.
