By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media
U.K.-based agtech company Gardin has raised $4.5 million in funding in a Seed 2 financing round. Gardin plans to direct the proceeds toward its precision agriculture technology solution, centered around a real-time photosynthesis sensor and artificial intelligence (AI) platform. The investment aims to accelerate the adoption of Gardin’s technology, enabling large-scale, real-time monitoring of greenhouse crop health, a critical aspect of modern food production.
Gardin’s solution offers farmers a way to interact with their crops in real-time to optimize resources, improve energy efficiency, reduce crop loss and support climate-resilient farming. Led by Navus Ventures, the funding roster extended to new investor Oxford Innovation Finance alongside an existing lineup of LDV Capital, MMC Ventures, Seedcamp and Alchimia Investments as well as angel backers.
Gardin Founder and CEO Sumanta Talukdar stated, “Navus Ventures are in my opinion the best ag-focused investor in Europe with a deep knowledge and network in this ecosystem. The whole Gardin team is very pleased to partner with Navus.”
Jaap Zijlstra, director at Navus, commented, “Gardin has developed a unique affordable technology that gives growers an actual pulse on their plants and therefore business. A great addition to our portfolio and fit with our strategy and background, we are looking forward to helping Sumanta and the Gardin team through the next phase of commercial scaling.”
Gardin specializes in plant science, sensor technology and artificial intelligence, positioning the company at the forefront of agricultural innovation. Its technology is a departure from conventional, labor-intensive crop monitoring methods, which often rely on visual inspections and infrequent sampling. Gardin’s flagship solution is a sensor capable of measuring photosynthesis, a fundamental process for plant growth and health. This sensor, combined with Gardin’s sophisticated AI platform, provides growers with detailed, real-time insights into plant physiology at scale.
The platform monitors various key indicators of crop health, offering a comprehensive understanding of plant performance. This data-driven approach promises to significantly improve decision-making for growers, optimizing resource allocation and cultivation practices.
Gardin’s technology appears to be delivering tangible benefits for its users, with some clients reporting returns on investment as high as 10-times. Since becoming commercially available in June 2023, their sensors have been successfully implemented in a variety of agricultural environments, from the polytunnels of Spain and Morocco to the greenhouses of the Netherlands and Canada.
The technology has also demonstrated its adaptability across more than 20 different crops, ranging from algae to tomatoes. Moving into 2025, Gardin is intensifying its focus on helping growers optimize light usage and improve energy efficiency, with trials suggesting potential energy savings of 20 percent to 30 percent. Beyond immediate operational gains, Gardin’s platform is also assisting in the crucial research needed to develop hardier seed varieties, which is key to building a more sustainable and reliable food system.
The $4.5 million funding infusion will enable Gardin to scale its operations and accelerate the commercial rollout of its technology. The company plans to expand its team, enhance its manufacturing capabilities and further refine its AI platform. A key focus will be supporting the platform to monitor greenhouse crop health at scale. Gardin aims to make its precision agriculture tools accessible to a wider range of greenhouse growers. This broader access could facilitate more sustainable and efficient food production.
Jaap Zijlstra, director at lead investor Naus, said “Gardin has developed a unique affordable technology that gives growers an actual pulse on their plants and therefore business. A great addition to our portfolio and fit with our strategy and background, we are looking forward to helping Sumanta and the Gardin team through the next phase of commercial scaling.”
The greenhouse industry has been facing rising pressure to meet growing global food demand while minimizing its environmental footprint. Traditional agricultural practices are being challenged by factors such as climate change, water scarcity and rising input costs. Technologies like Gardin’s offer the potential to address these challenges and transform greenhouse cultivation, creating a more precise, data-driven and sustainable endeavor.
Gardin’s technology has gained significant traction in recent years, with the company securing contracts with major players in the agricultural sector, including U.K. fruit producer Agriculture Investments Limited, Fromboer and Ridder. The new funding will enable the company to build on this success and further establish itself as a leader in precision agriculture.
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