Innovative Startups and their solutions to combat the global food crisis

The fight against hunger relies heavily on societal creativity and innovation as it has become a major issue that has elevated to a global scale. Creativity has enabled the cultivation of opportunities during issues such as seeking startup funding, equipment purchases, and management which are factors.

In times of crisis, the responses provided by startup founders have enabled the mitigation of these negative effects and allowed innovation to find solutions.

Issues such as food shortages and their branches have typically been addressed in a stagnant approach over the years. Through trial and error, some methods have witnessed success yet, the underlying problems have not been addressed.

Startup founders have elevated the possibilities of tackling the food crisis through innovation with solutions that range from up-cycling and reusing food waste, to alternative styles of agriculture and farm management methods.

Innovation is key

Technology has provided a multitude of opportunities that were once difficult to be completely achievable in the present day and this is particularly true in combating the global food crisis. Instances that involve food waste, depletion of resources, climatic impact, and long-term planning are a few factors that are being addressed amongst the many.

Some of the startups that have found such solutions are listed for you below.

SPRK.global

Is an impact-based startup that is focused on eliminating food waste within the supply chain globally while simultaneously reducing the negative impact on the climate. Its platform is driven by Artificial Intelligence that allows quick redistribution of surplus food. This is achieved by matching businesses that have excess food to those that have little.

Culminating in factors such as a reduction of the carbon footprint, supporting the farming community, cost-effective and elimination of waste.

Transfernation

Is a non-profit organisation that has an app with partners in the volunteer platform and a data analytics company that coordinates food waste to communities that are in need. Food from exclusive events and festivals is gathered and distributed.

SpoilerAlert

Is a company that also focuses on the supply chain in the food industry but differs as it creates a marketplace. The surplus food is offered at a lower price where buyers come to purchase their desired quantity.

BIO2CHP

The startup has redefined the waste-to-energy system in the agro-food industry to produce on-site electricity thereby benefiting the environment and reducing the carbon footprint. The company uses raw residual biomass feedstock such as remains of coffee, olive kernels, and food waste.

Cultured Decadence

Is a food tech startup that utilises cellular agriculture to improve the fishing industry and its unsustainable practices. The technology is conducted to develop cell-based lobster and shellfish.

Eden Agritech

The startup addresses food waste that is a result of large amounts of food in the supply chain or stored for long periods. These factors can lead to food poverty and greenhouse gas emissions. To combat both factors the startup has innovated a solution to increase the shelf-life of food products.

This is accomplished through an anti-fouling coating that slows down the enzymatic degradation of the produce. It prevents microbial growth, food discolouration, and oxidation ultimately reducing spoilt produce.

Vultus

Is a startup that develops solutions for precision farming by analysis of satellite images to increase farming yields. The analysis allows the detection of pest threats weeks before it occurs, types of fertilizers required, improvements in plant health, weather patterns, and water stress. This is achieved through the combination of the images from the satellite as well as sensors.

Agbotic

Is a startup that builds Smart Farms by utilising technologies such as the Internet of Things, robotics, and sensors. The purpose of the startup is to reduce the environmental impact and improve sustainable farming habits.

The platform encourages regenerative farming through crop rotation, habitat restoration, tree planting, and carbon sequestration. As a result, the analysis and automation improve the crop quality and yield with minimal resource utilisation and waste.

Nextfood

Is a startup that is focused on being sustainable as well as defeating hunger in an urban environment due to limited land. This is accomplished by automated verticle farming that uses aeroponics which saves on water and fertilisers that are used. The result of this strategy produces high-quality crops at a high scale.

Farming in the future

Foodtech solutions are vital to combat the imminent food and climate crisis through innovation and resource-saving methods. Technological advancements that these companies use such as Artificial Intelligence, satellite imagery, Internet of Things, sensors, location devices, and more help improve the efficiency of the agricultural industry.

Entrepreneurs that contribute with their innovations provide a future that ensures food security for generations to come.

For more information on entrepreneurs, investors, and fundraising, go to https://www.equitymatch.co/.

Malka Amarathunga is an entrepreneur, a content writer, and currently employed as the head of business development at www.equitymatch.co.As a content writer, she writes about startups and entrepreneurship.