European agritech startup founders are transforming the agricultural sector. Driven by the need for sustainable practices and increased efficiency, these companies are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address key challenges. From enhancing soil health and optimising crop production to pioneering urban farming and developing sustainable protein sources, these organisations are at the forefront of a new era in agriculture. From precision farming to innovative food processing, these agritech founders are leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI, robotics, and biotechnology to revolutionise how we grow, manage, and consume food. Let’s now delve into the stories of some of Europe’s most promising agritech pioneers, exploring their visions, innovations, and the impact they are making on the future of agriculture.
Stewart Arbuckle – Agricarbon (UK)
Stewart Arbuckle is the co-founder of Agricarbon, a Dundee-based startup founded in 2018. He addresses the global challenge of measuring and tracking soil carbon stocks at scale. With a background in mathematics and economics from the University of Edinburgh, Arbuckle is passionate about leveraging soil’s potential to combat climate change and promote regenerative farming. Agricarbon’s innovative technology enables affordable and accurate soil carbon audits, unlocking financial value for farmers and supporting the transition to sustainable agricultural practices.
Agricarbon specialises in developing innovative technology for large-scale, accurate measurement and tracking of soil carbon stocks. This technology enables affordable and precise soil audits, promoting soil as a major carbon sink and accelerating the adoption of regenerative farming practices. Agricarbon has made a significant impact by working with partners like Nestlé and First Milk to establish extensive soil carbon baselines, helping farms achieve net-zero emission targets. The company recently secured £9 million in Series A funding from investors like Shell Ventures and Barclays.
Joëlle Van den Brand – Agurotech (Netherlands)
Joëlle Van den Brand is the co-founder of Agurotech, a Netherlands-based agritech company that leverages data-driven solutions to optimise crop production. The company integrates IoT devices and software to monitor environmental conditions, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation, pest control, and disease prevention. Agurotech’s technology is transforming agriculture by increasing efficiency and reducing resource waste, contributing to sustainable farming practices.
Erez Galonska – Infarm (Germany)
Erez Galonska is the CEO, and co-founder of Infarm, headquartered in Berlin, a company that runs a multi-country cloud-connected farming network powered by AI. As a self-taught farmer and inventor, Erez spent more than a decade developing techniques for sustainable agriculture in Israel, Spain, and Germany before joining forces with Osnat Michaeli and Guy Galonska to establish Infarm in 2013.
Today, Infarm’s presence in four markets produces more than 40 million plants for major retailers across Europe and North America. Infarm utilises a modular, technology-driven approach to tailor production to customer demand, using only 5% of the land and water of traditional farming and transporting products 90% less than industrial farming.
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Infarm focuses on vertical farming technology that allows fresh produce to be grown locally in urban environments. By combining hydroponics, LED lighting, and IoT systems, Infarm reduces food miles and resource use while ensuring year-round production. The company has become a leader in urban farming innovation, helping cities achieve greater food self-sufficiency.
Charlie Guy – LettUs Grow (UK)
Charlie Guy is the co-founder of LettUs Grow, a Bristol-based agritech startup specialising in aeroponic farming systems. Charlie has a background in renewable energy consultancy and engineering design, he is a proponent of technology for good and is passionate about all manners of sustainability, whether in food, energy, resource efficiency or waste valorisation. Charlie is also on the UKUAT (UK Urban AgriTech Collective) advisory board. These systems grow plants without soil by delivering nutrients through a fine mist, using less water and energy compared to traditional methods. LettUs Grow aims to revolutionise urban agriculture by enabling local food production with minimal environmental impact.
Antoine Hubert – Ynsect (France)
Antoine Hubert is the co-founder, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Ynsect, headquartered in Évry, France. Established in 2011. He also co-founded the European Insect Industry Association, the International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF). Ynsect focuses on insect farming for sustainable protein production. The company uses insects like mealworms to create high-quality proteins for animal feed and human consumption. Ynsect’s innovative approach addresses global food security challenges while reducing the environmental footprint of protein production.
Giorgio Rocca – Biocentis (UK)
Giorgio Rocca is the co-founder of Biocentis, a UK-based startup dedicated to developing biotechnological solutions for pest control. By using gene-editing technologies, Biocentis aims to reduce the need for chemical pesticides while protecting crops from pests. This approach enhances agricultural sustainability and minimises ecological harm.
Before co-founding Biocentis, Giorgio worked as a strategy consultant for the Boston Consulting Group with a focus on the healthcare and life science sectors. He holds a BSc and an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Genova and an MBA from Collège des Ingénieurs and INSEAD.
Patrick Asdaghi – Carbon Map
Patrick Asdaghi is a serial entrepreneur having founded foodtechs FoodChéri and Seazon, acquired by the Sodexo Group in 2021, before co-founding Carbon Maps in December 2022. He is also an active business angel having invested in nearly 30 French Tech start-ups. Before creating FoodChéri, Patrick was CMO/CPO of LaFourchette.com, which became the European leader in online restaurant reservations, acquired by TripAdvisor in 2014. Patrick holds an engineering degree from Telecom Paris and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Carbon Map focuses on mapping and quantifying carbon emissions across agricultural landscapes. By providing data-driven insights into carbon sequestration potential, the company helps farmers adopt practices that mitigate climate change while improving soil health.
Conclusion
The rapid growth of European agritech startups highlights the critical role of innovation in shaping the future of agriculture. These founders are not only introducing cutting-edge technologies but also addressing some of the most pressing challenges in food security, sustainability, and resource efficiency. From precision farming and urban agriculture to alternative protein production and carbon mapping, their solutions are redefining how food is grown, managed, and consumed. As these startups continue to scale, their impact on the agricultural sector will only expand, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable global food system. The future of farming is being built today, and these visionary entrepreneurs are leading the charge.
