It was 2013 in Nairobi. Two broke engineering students at the University, were looking for a way to get by. For Taita Ngetich and his friend, agriculture seemed like the only lifeline. But that hope quickly turned into disappointment after their first harvest ended in heavy losses within just three months.
More than a decade later, what began as a survival attempt has grown into Synnefa, an agritech company with a bold vision. Today, it supports over 21,000 farmers across Kenya and neighbouring African countries while attracting thousands of dollars in investments and funding.
Synnefa: Company Overview & Key Metrics
| Key Metrics | Details |
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Location | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Website | https://www.synnefa.io/ |
| Stage | Growth |
| Latest Funding | Among 11 organisations selected to receive a share of $1.7 million from the Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund |
| Total Farmers Served | Over 21,000 across Africa |
| Irrigation System Reach | As of late 2024 and early 2025, Synnefa’s irrigation systems reach farmers in 13 to 14 African countries |
| Key Products | FarmShield™ IoT sensors, FarmCloud™ software, smart greenhouses, and solar dryers |
The Problem: What Synnefa Saw
In Kenya, smallholder farmers face a similar challenge to many farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. They lack accurate and timely farm data, which makes it hard to make the right decisions on crops. This often leads to poor harvests and leaves them exposed whenever conditions shift. With limited resources at hand, they bear the greatest burden of climate change and are disproportionately affected when crises arise.
Synnefa’s Core Solutions for Farmers
The uniq ue solution Synnefa offers is a brilliant combination of hardware and software tailored to simplify complex farming and build resilience for smallholder farmers.
1. Smart Greenhouses with FarmShield™ IoT System
Synnefa’s smart greenhswwwqreee33r̃wdswsouses use IoT sensors (called FarmShield™) to monitor variables like soil moisture, temperature, light intensity, and soil nutrients (NPK).
These sensors automate systems such as irrigation, ventilation (fans and windows), and climate control to maintain optimal growing conditions.
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2. FarmCloud™ Management Platform
- The FarmCloud™ software ties everything together by centralising data and providing:
- Farm activity tracking (e.g., spraying, irrigation, harvest schedules)
- Inventory and accounting tools—fertilisers, agrochemicals, expenses, sales
- Traceability for export and audit compliance (e.g., Global G.A.P.)
- Market access and invoicing features for buyers and lenders
3. Smart Solar Dryers
- A greenhouse-like solar dryer equipped with FarmShield, using solar-powered sensors to control humidity and temperature.
- Monitors real-time conditions and automates heating, ventilation, and airflow to ensure efficient drying and reduce post-harvest losses.
4. Drip Irrigation Kits & Screenhouses
- These kits help deliver water efficiently, by conserving resources and improving yield.
- Screenhouses/net houses offer protected environments for crops with improved access to optimal growing conditions.
The Business Model
Synnefa runs an integrated model that blends hardware sales, subscription-based software, and flexible financing. Farmers can acquire Smart Greenhouses, Solar Dryers, and FarmShield™ IoT sensors through direct purchase or rent-to-own plans, while also subscribing to the FarmCloud™ platform, which provides data insights and farm management tools.
Synnefa’s Funding and Investment Milestones
- The company was backed by USADF (U.S. African Development Foundation), ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) SPRING (Spring Accelerator), $110,000 for further development in 2028.
- In 2020, support from Innovate UK, alongside the entry of the first angel investor, brought $856,000 to build Smart Greenhouses powered by FarmShield™ v4.0.
- Additional grant support from Innovate UK strengthened Synnefa’s agricultural technology pipeline, also in 2020.
- In 2021, a $690,000 pre-seed round led by Founders Factory Africa, joined by the Water and Energy for Food Grand Challenge, marked Synnefa’s early growth stage.
- In 2024, the Access Research and Development Fund selected Synnefa as one of 11 organizations to share a $1.7 million grant aimed at scaling clean energy farming solutions.
Future Roadmap
Synnefa has made history, and continues to do so. As CEO Taita Ngetich puts it, the vision is to secure the future of farming in Africa. The company’s bold mission to raise incomes for one million smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, is not a question of if, but when. Synnefa truly stands as a force for transformation, and we can only wish them greater success ahead.
