SoftBank Investment Advisers’ Post

The Need to Feed, is one of #India's main challenges. Investing in the development of smart precise and sustainable #agriculture is at the center of this effort. Earlier today i was invited to participate as a key not speaker in GEOINTELLIGENCE FOR SMART FARMING International Brainstorming, Organized by Radhanath Sikdar Institute of Geospatial Science & Technology (#RSIGST). I have presented the Israeli approach of THINKING OUT OF THE PLOT and the Israeli model of supporting innovation, especially in the agri-tech. I have also presented the emerging Nature Growth Incubator as a case study of privet, government and municipal JV. bean familiar with the Indian agriculture i have pointed two main challenges - making the modern smart and precise technology available for the small farmers, and making fund available for early stages' startups entrepreneurs. #NaturGrowth

The Need to Feed, is one of #India's main challenges. Investing in the development of smart precise and sustainable #agriculture is at the center of this effort. Earlier today i was invited to participate as a key not speaker in GEOINTELLIGENCE FOR SMART FARMING International Brainstorming, Organized by Radhanath Sikdar Institute of Geospatial Science & Technology (#RSIGST). I have presented the Israeli approach of THINKING OUT OF THE PLOT and the Israeli model of supporting innovation, especially in the agri-tech. I have also presented the emerging Nature Growth Incubator as a case study of privet, government and municipal JV. bean familiar with the Indian agriculture i have pointed two main challenges - making the modern smart and precise technology available for the small farmers, and making fund available for early stages' startups entrepreneurs. #NaturGrowth

Today, in our #StartupHighlight, we turn our attention to a trailblazing #Agritech startup from #Pakistan 🌟 SAWIE Ecosystems, a pioneering startup from #Pakistan, leverages advanced #AI and data analytics to transform the agricultural landscape for smallholder farmers. Facing challenges like #climate change, fluctuating weather, and poor-quality inputs, #SAWIE provides innovative solutions to enhance productivity and #sustainability. Their comprehensive services include farm advisory, soil testing, consultancy, and real-time crop monitoring. By utilizing tools such as crop scan, traceability, and #carbon management, SAWIE Ecosystems helps farmers increase yield by up to 30% while significantly reducing input losses. Their platform connects farmers with essential services, ensuring timely access to quality inputs and precise recommendations, ultimately aiming to improve #food security and reduce the $10 billion agri-import bill. With a focus on six major crops, SAWIE Ecosystems targets a vast market of 9-10 million farmers across 30 million hectares, driving efficiency and profitability. If you want to get in touch with this startup, please connect with Muhammad Rizwan General Manager. Visit their website at  www.sawie.net #AgriTech #SustainableFarming #AI #ClimateSmart #DataAnalytics #StartupHighlight with Founders Lair, where we regularly feature innovative and promising startups. To get featured, apply to one of our specialized programs, for example, the ITEC 2024 - Join Beijng's Leading Startup Competition with Prize Pool of over 7 Million USD. Learn more:https://flair.ly/r/dc0390

A new wave of innovation is rising on the #African continent, where startups are leveraging #AI to address local challenges. Spending on AI innovation in #Africa and the Middle East is likely to see the fastest growth in AI spending in the world, hitting $3 billion this year and over $6 billion by 2026 per the International Data Corporation (IDC). The AI industry on the continent is expanding rapidly, with reportedly over 2,400 companies specializing in the industry as of this year. In the heart of Cameroon, in the capital city of Yaoundé, resides Agrix Tech — a startup committed to aiding small-scale farmers in their battle against plant diseases and pests. These threats, exacerbated by the ongoing climate crisis, pose a critical challenge to agriculture. Agrix Tech’s innovative solution is a mobile app that empowers farmers to scan their plants’ leaves. Leveraging AI, the app identifies any ailments and suggests appropriate interventions. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/djJZawZH

Imagine localized, open-source AI-driven insights boosting crop yields and safeguarding farmers' livelihoods. 🌍 That's what LDRI is achieving in #Kenya! By using #AI, they provide early warning systems and personalized recommendations via WhatsApp, helping farmers mitigate risks and enhance productivity. 📲🌱The LDRI’s team joined the #OpenSource AI Business Mentorship for support, aiming to progress with their project. In #Uganda, M-Omulimisa offers the AI-based yield forecasting tool "Croppie" to coffee #farmers, helping them access credit and invest in essential resources like fertilizers. ☕ With support from the #mentorship program, M-Omulimisa enhanced their business model and developed a credit-allocation model based on yield predictions. 🌱📈 Inspired by the success, #FAIRForward and Villgro Africa are launching a second round of the mentorship program, supporting six new startups. 🌍💡 Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gXS3s8aA

There's no doubt that AI is a pathbreaking technology invention so far! Have you ever wondered how AI can bring a fresh change to the Agriculture sector? If yes! Then following AI in Agriculture use case pointers are a must read for you!  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insightful Information Source - Akshay Panchal #AIinInvesting #AI #Investing #Startupinvesting #Agriculture #Agritech #Startupfundraise #Fundraise #Angelinvestment #Angelinvestor #Venturecapitalfunds #Vcfund #Vcinvestment #Agrifund #Startupindia

Congratulations to Kitovu Technology Company, an #Agritech startup and one of the outstanding bootstrapped companies featured in the 2024 #yasr30 list by the Yale Africa Startup Review. Kitovu Technology Company is Nigeria-based startup founded by Emeka Nwachinemere, FCP and Nduka Miracle. According the founders, “Smallholder farmers who typically grow 2–4-hectare farms realize low yields compared to global averages. Post-harvest, 40% of yields are lost due to poor storage, and lack of access to markets. This impacts farm-level productivity and farmer incomes. These problems arise because farmers rely on guesswork, instinct, and traditional knowledge to make operational decisions….We started Kitovu to solve these problems..” The Yale Africa Startup Review was intrigued the holistic approach the company has taken to solve fundamental pain points for small holder farms in Africa. Kitovu Technology Company has built three main products that support climate-smart farming and enable access to post-harvest infrastructure; YieldMax, eProcure, and StorageX. YieldMax applies data science and remote sensing to provide smallholder farmers with a personalized agronomic advisory that delivers operational insights, input specifications, and crop health audits. At harvest, Kitovu matches the farmers' produce to partner buyers through our eProcure service. Kitovu also provides access to effective storage and access to finance through StorageX, a platform that leverages Electronic Warehouse Receipts Systems to transform farmers' goods under storage into collaterals. Join the Review in sharing these stories of innovation, grit & courage! A huge thank you to the editorial team, Africa VC colleagues, corporates and conference partners. https://lnkd.in/dc96NxFe Catalyst Fund, Village Capital, Acumen, Tech in Africa, Disrupt Africa, Founders Factory Africa, Antler, Norrsken East Africa, Ventureburn Kemi Kakonge-Ruyondo, Didace Bienvenu Irafasha, Wubrest Bekele, MD, Olushola Aina, Ehizele (Dean) Okoduwa, Amar Kakirde, Christopher Wayland, Sharon M., Khalid Oluyadi, Lina Kacyem, CPCU, Daniel Mainye and Samuel Kitara Yale MacMillan Center, Yale Center for Business and the Environment, , GitHub, Twilio, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Zendesk for Startups, MongoDB,Yale Office of International Affairs