Jose Ignacio Peleteiro Ramallo, known to many as Jota, has traded the football pitch for the agricultural field, and the shift has been as dramatic as it is inspiring. The 33-year-old Spaniard, who hung up his boots in 2022, is now the chief executive of Groinn, an agricultural technology company that he has backed with millions of his own money. The company, which was previously known as Ramalloc Innovation, has seen exponential growth under Jota’s leadership, with its technology now in use across the globe, from Spanish greenhouses to Saudi mangrove forests.
Groinn’s success is built on a solar-powered smart device that collects data from sensors inserted in the earth, providing farmers with crucial information about soil quality, weather conditions, and other factors affecting crops. This technology, which costs less than £200, is designed to reduce costs and increase yields, a significant improvement from the £25,000 it previously cost to gather such data. The company’s rapid expansion has led financial analysts to predict a valuation of over half a billion dollars, with projections suggesting it could reach £3 billion next year.
Jota’s journey to the top of the agritech world has been swift, and he admits that the pace of growth has been overwhelming at times. ‘The past few months have been absolutely crazy in terms of professional growth,’ he said. ‘The speed at which we are moving sometimes doesn’t even allow us to fully grasp everything we’re achieving.’ Despite the challenges, Jota remains focused on finding solutions and moving forward.
The former footballer’s story is not one of unmitigated success, however. His football career, which took him from Celta Vigo to Brentford, Birmingham City, and Aston Villa, was marked by both highs and lows. Jota’s time at Brentford, where he replicated his 11-goal haul from his loan spell at Eibar, was a highlight, but his later stints at Birmingham and Villa yielded diminishing returns. His decision to retire early was influenced by his desire for creative freedom on the pitch, a quality he felt was increasingly stifled by the modern game’s emphasis on physicality and rigid tactical frameworks.
Jota’s transition from football to agritech has not been without its challenges. Last month, the Spanish gossip magazine Lecturas claimed that Jota owes liens worth 100,000 euros on a luxurious five-bedroom mansion in the Basque town of Mungia that he has been trying to sell for almost two years. The initial asking price of 2.9 million has been dropped by almost a million over that period, prompting speculation about Jota’s finances. A claim by his first wife, Jessica Bueno, that Jota has reneged on an agreement to pay 15,000 euros a month to support their children has only heightened scrutiny.
Despite these challenges, Jota remains optimistic about the future of Groinn. The company’s technology has the potential to revolutionize the agricultural industry, and its rapid expansion is a testament to its effectiveness. As Jota continues to navigate the complexities of his new role, one thing is clear: his passion for innovation and his determination to succeed are as strong as ever.
