In the ever-evolving world of agritech, start-ups like FA Bio and Agreena are not just surviving but thriving, despite the challenging fundraising environment. Since their initial pitch at the World Agri-Tech Summit, these companies have made significant strides in their respective fields, navigating the labyrinth of business growth with agility and insight. Their journeys offer a compelling narrative of innovation, resilience, and strategic pivots that have led to notable funding successes and impactful industry contributions.
Simon Haldrup, CEO of Agreena, recounts the company’s evolution from a grain marketplace in 2018 to a pioneering force in regenerative agriculture. “We saw an opportunity to synthesize our strengths as visionary farmers and fintech savvies to revolutionize the sector,” Haldrup explains. Agreena’s mission is straightforward yet ambitious: transition more farmers and hectares to regenerative agriculture to sequester more carbon dioxide. This vision has propelled the company to work with partner farmers across 19 European countries and beyond.
The journey, however, hasn’t been without its challenges. “Mobilising farmers to adopt new practices and technologies remains our biggest challenge,” Haldrup admits. An early “aha” moment for Agreena was realizing the necessity of a farmer-centric approach. By leveraging science-backed, verified farm-level data, Agreena has been able to support companies in decarbonizing their supply chains while promoting regenerative practices among farmers. Their recent €46 million Series B funding in March 2023 underscores the potential of their model, enabling further expansion of global carbon farming initiatives and new fintech solutions.
Yet, adaptability has been key to Agreena’s success. The outbreak of war in Ukraine forced the company to pivot its market strategy almost overnight, highlighting the importance of flexibility in a volatile environment. “Being able to adapt as a company, and bringing farmers along on that journey, is super important,” Haldrup emphasizes. This adaptability extends to their engagement with corporate partners, as seen in their recent MoU with UAE agribusiness Al Dahra and their role in establishing the International Soil Carbon Industry Alliance (ISCIA).
Similarly, FA Bio has experienced a transformative journey since their 2021 pitch. CEO and Co-Founder Angela de Manzanos shares that the company initially focused on developing the SporSenZ soil microbial analysis tool. However, feedback from growers revealed a pressing need for robust biological controls for crop pests, prompting FA Bio to pivot towards developing sustainable microbial bioproducts. This strategic shift has led to the creation of a microbial library containing over 2,600 promising microbes, positioning FA Bio as a leader in microbial solutions for regenerative agriculture.
De Manzanos highlights the regulatory challenges that can stifle innovation in the agriculture industry. “The complex and lengthy approval processes, as well as high compliance costs, can delay the introduction of beneficial technologies to the market,” she notes. Despite these hurdles, FA Bio’s successful funding round in January 2024 signifies a growing financial commitment to agritech, enabling the company to accelerate its R&D efforts and scale its discovery projects from the lab to the fields.
Both Agreena and FA Bio’s journeys underscore the importance of resilience, adaptability, and strategic pivots in the face of industry challenges. Their stories also highlight the critical role of farmer-centric approaches and robust partnerships in driving innovation and sustainability in agriculture. As these start-ups continue to expand and evolve, their experiences offer valuable lessons for other early-stage companies navigating the complex landscape of agritech.