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Agriculture belongs to Georgia the oldest and largest industrybut it may not be the industry where “innovation” comes first.
A growing number of entrepreneurs across the state and the Southeast region are working to change that narrative—and funding is starting to follow.
Global VC investment in space grew by 20% between 2020 and 2021, reaching $8 billion. Southeast startups have landed two of the largest deals for an AgTech enterprise this year (Charleston’s AmplifiedAg with a venture round of $40 million and Fayetteville, Arkansas AcreTrader with a $12 million Series A). AppHarvesta high-tech greenhouse startup in Kentucky, went public through a SPAC in early 2021 as the race for more sustainable local food sources continues.
This could be a good sign for Georgia’s progress. Like Chris Chamoun, director of AgTech at the Georgia Center for Innovation (COI), told Hypepotamus, “Agriculture is a little different than other technology industries. You really don’t see something that comes out somewhere else in this world have a direct translation here in the Southeast… it all depends on the different types of soils and different climates.”
Most of the region’s AgTech startups are concentrated in the Research Triangle (see enterprise-backed AgBiome, Plants in pairs, They got dressedand Plant response to see how North Carolina is improving harvest and production).
To date, UGAFort Valley State and the Georgia Southern Initiative at Georgia Innovation Center have spearheaded more rural initiatives in the space. But on The Georgia Center for Innovation (COI) is working to make the state the next big name in AgTech.
For this to happen, startup innovation will be needed in both urban and rural communities.
Shamounsaid the state seeks to lead in four specific verticals: Integrated precision agriculture (think drones and autonomous equipment), controlled environment/greenhouses, food innovation and food systems technology.
Example of a Copiana Vertical Farming Product – From Copiana Twitter
It’s not just about how to grow more peaches and pecans.
But Atlanta-based Grubbly Farms and Copiana are taking a different, more urban approach to food innovation. Grubbly Farms has created a unique niche for sustainable insect-based feed for backyard chickens. Copiana, a new aeroponic vertical farming company, has gained traction in the highly-trafficked Ponce City Market over the past year as the team seeks to bring more sustainable food options to offices, apartment complexes and restaurants.
Chris Chammoun – from LinkedIn
Other AgTech companies across the country, like Pure taste and Pete’s, recently decided to move to Georgia. This could bring more opportunities for innovation in the controlled environment space.
At their core, AgTech startups seek to improve the efficiency, increase yields, and reduce the costs associated with growing food. But it will require experts in automation, energy use, supply chain, drone technology and sensors to really scale it as a technology sector and address the global challenges of food insecurity.
These are spaces where Georgia startups are already leading the way. Perhaps AgTech could be the next big tech industry to put Georgia on the map.
Feature photo by CAES Newswire at the University of Georgia
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