In the heart of Dublin, California, a high school senior is spearheading an agritech revolution. Nithin Aruswamy, a senior at Dublin High School, is the co-founder and leader of Terran, a startup tech company aiming to transform small-scale farming through its automated hydroponics system. The company’s mission is to address the rising costs and challenges faced by small-scale farmers, including water expenses and soil degradation, by providing an affordable and efficient agricultural technology solution.
Aruswamy’s journey into the world of agritech began with his grandparents, who are small-scale farmers in India. Their farming operations sparked his interest in the intersection of technology and agriculture. This fascination led him to delve deep into agricultural research about two years ago. According to a 2021 scientific report, farms under two hectares produce approximately 35% of the world’s food, highlighting the importance of supporting small-scale farmers.
Terran’s hydroponics system is designed to increase the yield and profitability of small-scale farming. The three-tiered setup allows farmers to grow three times more produce without the need for additional farmland. The system also uses biofertilizers containing microorganisms to help plants grow evenly. These biofertilizers are applied using robotics that monitor the crops’ growth with sensors. The system is versatile and can be used indoors or inside greenhouses.
Before Terran, Aruswamy was part of a team that began creating an autonomous farming robot in June 2023. Dubbed the Sustainable Harvesting and Integrated Efficient Land Defense (SHIELD) robotic system, the modular robot is designed to provide comprehensive care for cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower. The robot allows farmers to attach various systems for activities such as watering, weeding, dispensing seeds, and harvesting. The SHIELD robotic system is currently covered by a provisional patent, and the team is in the process of turning it into a nonprovisional patent.
Aruswamy and nearly a dozen other individuals, including students from Dublin High School, Amador Valley High School, and California High School, also penned a research paper published in October. The paper discusses cruciferous plants and the future of technology in agriculture, in conjunction with two people from Dublin Robotics.
Terran has already received national recognition for its innovative business plan. The company placed second in the 2024 Zuora Climate Action Challenge held by the educational nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Terran was also recognized among the top 100 teams in the 2024-25 Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition, hosted by the nonprofit organization Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneurs Corporation. Additionally, Terran was named a 2025 Genius Finalist of the GENIUS Olympiad, organized by educational nonprofit Terra Science and Education.
Aruswamy’s vision for Terran’s future includes expanding the company’s reach within the United States and beyond. “I would also love to bring this product to different countries that have a low amount of water or are getting overshadowed by commercial agritech companies,” Aruswamy said. His dedication to uplifting small-scale farmers underscores the importance of their role in feeding the world.
As Terran continues to grow and gain recognition, it serves as a testament to the power of youth-led innovation in addressing global agricultural challenges. The company’s focus on affordability, efficiency, and sustainability sets a new standard for agritech startups, offering hope for a future where small-scale farmers can thrive.