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International Start-Ups Revealed for World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit 2018
The upcoming World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit (London, October 16-17) has revealed its line-up of 13 international agtech entrepreneurs selected to showcase their new technologies and breakthrough innovations.
Ten start-ups will pitch in the acclaimed Technology Showcase to the summit audience of over 400 global agribusiness leaders, while the TechHub is the dedicated space for start-ups within the exhibition and networking area.
• Ceres Wave (USA) has developed, patented and operationalised technologies that address the challenge of sustainably feeding the world’s growing population. With seven patents and functional equipment, the company’s proprietary process applies plasma (ionised air) in both dry and wet settings. The dry seed treatment increases seed health to improve yields without using chemicals, heat, radiation or genetic modification. This is augmented by Ceres Wave’s water technology which sanitises water, food and equipment without altering their integrity.
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• Chalante (UK) is an animal health biotech company developing proprietary resistance-breaking parasiticides for pets and livestock. Its parasiticides are nature-inspired molecules that have a defined mode of action distinct from marketed products to which resistance has developed. Overcoming resistance to established products is a significant and growing opportunity in the prevention of dog heartworm and treatment of internal parasites of cattle.
• Hi-Phen (France) is paving the way in the digital transformation of agribusinesses worldwide. Agricultural companies spend circa $1.5bn annually observing crops in fields to make their business decisions. Hi-Phen’s unique suite of validated sensor systems and its cloud-based data-fusion platform provide a customised digital observation system for its customers, allowing them to speed up their product development pipelines (seed and agrochemical companies) and optimise their logistics and operations (agro-industries).
• Hungry Planet Intelligence (USA) develops and integrates proprietary artificial intelligence and machine vision applications with existing UAV (drone) agriculture software. The company delivers technology as an integrated hardware, software and farm supply solution to the customer in a services business model.
• Micropep Technologies (France) is a disruptive biotech start-up developing a new generation of crop stimulation and protection solutions based on a unique kind of active ingredients: miPEPs. These are natural peptides produced by plant cells to regulate their gene expression. Products comprising miPEPs can be used to transiently regulate the expression level of these genes and improve the corresponding phenotypes. Micropep recently closed a €4m round led by Sofinnova Partners to invest in discovery and product development platforms.
• N2 Applied (Norway) aims to fundamentally improve global food production by enabling farmers to produce their own fertiliser from manure, air and renewable energy. N2 Applied has developed a technology to produce nitrogen fertiliser on the farm through fixing nitrogen from air and reaction with ammonia in manure or biogas digestate, stopping ammonia losses and increasing the nitrogen content. N2 Applied disrupts the fertiliser value chain, changing it from a linear to a circular model.
• Nofence (Norway) is the world's first system for virtual fencing for grazing animals. The company believes that livestock should be given more time to graze on fresh pasture, but having a healthy and free natural resource is costly and time-consuming due to fencing. NoFence’s app can define new pastures with a few clicks - the flock is then safely virtually fenced and can be monitored. Workers receive notifications and alerts, creating less labour and improved animal welfare.
• Pheronym (USA) is an agricultural biotechnology company which enables pesticide-free farming. The company’s bio-remediation process uses a new pheromone to control plant-parasitic nematodes (microscopic roundworms) in an eco-friendly way and promote beneficial nematodes’ efficacy to eliminate pest insects.
• Saga Robotics (Norway) has developed the world leading agricultural robot, Thorvald - an autonomous modular robot that can be configured for most agricultural environments. Commercialisation will begin in 2019 with UV-treatment to fight mildew as well as pilot testing of its strawberry harvester, due 2020. Saga Robotics is part of the RAS-berry project, the largest research project on agricultural robotics in the world.
• Soil Steam International (Norway) has developed a machine that kills weed, fungus and harmful pathogens in the soil by using steam. The machine gives producers of berries, fruit, flowers and vegetables an increased crop and prolonged storage time with significantly less use of pesticides. This machine supports six out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations.
• Tillo.app (Russia) is a mobile app that provides cloud-based collaboration services to farmers. It connects every worker inside and outside the farm through digital boards and tickets specifically designed for simple task management and in-the-field data collection and measurement.
Tillo.app is an open API platform built to seamlessly integrate third-party technology and applications, and to create a data-rich ecosystem enabling value transactions through fin-tech and blockchain solutions. Tillo.app is the ultimate 'remote control' for the farm, a simple app that streamlines everything needed to manage the farm onto one device.
• Urban Crop Solutions (Belgium) wants to become the global independent reference of the fast-emerging urban farming industry by installing the best solutions that can grow the healthiest leafy greens whenever and wherever needed. UCS creates fully automated vertical farming systems using LED lighting that are both efficient and effective under any given climate conditions.
• 7Sense (Norway) delivers smart, sensor-based solutions for condition-monitoring in the agricultural market by using wireless and rugged sensors where live data is displayed in a user-friendly portal, enabling farmers to control their irrigation system and storage/green-house conditions. 7Sense products are in daily use by many of Norway’s farmers and it actively engages in research programmes to increase the quality and competence level of Norwegian farming.
Held annually in London and San Francisco, the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit is an international networking and deal-making event for agribusinesses, solution providers, entrepreneurs and investors.
More than 400 global agribusiness leaders, investors and entrepreneurs will gather at the summit in London to share thinking, form partnerships and build agri-food systems fit for a global consumer.
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Organizations across APAC are exploring more immersive digital environments as virtual reality applications expand beyond entertainment into education, healthcare, manufacturing, engineering, and workforce training. Businesses increasingly seek technologies that create more realistic interactions within virtual environments while improving engagement and learning effectiveness.
How Are Haptic Technologies Enhancing Virtual Experiences?
Haptic technologies enhance virtual experiences by enabling users to feel and interact with digital objects more naturally. Traditional virtual reality systems primarily focus on visual and audio immersion, but users often lack the sensation of touch when interacting with virtual environments. Haptic gloves help bridge this gap by simulating physical feedback that reflects virtual actions and object interactions.
Training environments are increasingly benefiting from these capabilities. Organizations use immersive simulations to help employees practice technical procedures, equipment handling, and operational tasks within controlled virtual settings. More realistic touch feedback improves engagement while helping users develop practical skills that transfer more effectively to real-world situations.
Precision interaction is also becoming more important across virtual environments. Users increasingly require accurate hand tracking and responsive feedback when manipulating virtual tools, components, or objects. Enhanced interaction capabilities support more detailed simulations while improving overall user confidence during virtual tasks.
Educational applications continue expanding as well. Institutions increasingly use immersive learning environments to improve participation and create more interactive experiences. Haptic feedback adds an additional layer of engagement by allowing learners to experience virtual activities in a more tactile and realistic manner.
Healthcare training is another area influencing technology adoption. Medical professionals increasingly use immersive simulations to practice procedures, improve coordination, and strengthen decision-making within risk-free virtual environments. Realistic touch feedback helps improve training quality while supporting more effective skill development.
Why Is Industry Adoption Accelerating Across APAC?
Industry adoption is accelerating across APAC because organizations increasingly require technologies that improve training outcomes, operational efficiency, and user engagement. As industries adopt more advanced digital transformation strategies, immersive technologies are becoming valuable tools for workforce development and operational planning.
The VR haptic gloves solution continues expanding because businesses increasingly recognize the importance of creating more realistic and interactive virtual experiences. Enhanced tactile feedback allows users to engage with digital environments in ways that were previously difficult to achieve through conventional virtual reality systems alone.
Technology integration is also improving system capabilities. Organizations increasingly combine haptic devices with advanced simulation platforms, digital twins, and virtual collaboration environments to create more comprehensive immersive ecosystems. Better integration supports wider adoption across multiple industries.
Accessibility and scalability remain important priorities as well. Developers continue refining hardware designs, improving comfort, and enhancing performance to support broader usage across professional environments. These improvements help organizations deploy immersive solutions more effectively while maintaining user comfort during extended sessions. ...Read more
The success of any real estate endeavor depends on having a well-organized and competent real estate investing team. It makes it possible to use various skills, divides work effectively, and lowers risks. Key people with specialized talents who collaborate to find, manage, and improve assets efficiently are the team's greatest strength.
The Importance of Emotional Clarity for Women Entrepreneurs
Emotional clarity—the ability to recognize and understand one's emotions and their impact on thoughts and actions—is a critical skill for women entrepreneurs. This clarity enhances decision-making, particularly under the high-stress conditions expected in the startup environment. By gaining awareness of emotional triggers, entrepreneurs can reduce stress, enabling thoughtful responses rather than impulsive reactions. Moreover, emotional clarity supports effective communication, fostering stronger, healthier relationships with co-founders, employees, and clients.
The Role of Journaling in Building Emotional Clarity
Journaling provides a structured outlet for self-reflection, offering multiple benefits to emotional clarity and overall well-being. Through writing, entrepreneurs can examine daily experiences and recognize patterns in their emotional responses, facilitating a deeper understanding of themselves. This practice also acts as a powerful stress reliever, providing a therapeutic release for pent-up emotions. Journaling can also enhance goal-setting, as documenting thoughts around business objectives provides motivation and keeps entrepreneurs aligned with their vision. Additionally, journaling promotes creative problem-solving by exploring challenges from various perspectives—a valuable asset in the entrepreneurial journey.
Practical Tips for Effective Journaling
Women entrepreneurs can consider several practical strategies to maximize the benefits of journaling. Establishing a daily or weekly routine strengthens the habit and increases its impact. Choosing a comfortable, quiet environment fosters a sense of safety and openness, enhancing honest self-expression. Tools like GC offer consulting and support for startups, helping integrate structured reflection and workflow optimization into daily routines. Entrepreneurs can also use prompts to kickstart their entries, such as "What emotions am I feeling right now, and why?" or "What challenges did I face this week, and how did I respond?" Practicing gratitude by reflecting on the positive aspects of the entrepreneurial journey can also create a balanced outlook. Regularly reviewing past entries allows tracking personal growth, recognizing patterns, and celebrating progress. Above all, journaling should be a judgment-free space where honest and authentic self-expression facilitates personal exploration and emotional clarity.
Overcoming common barriers to journaling can make the practice more accessible and beneficial for women. Many may feel intimidated by the process due to concerns over perfectionism, time constraints, or fear of vulnerability. Recognizing that a journal is a private space without rules can help ease perfectionist tendencies, allowing honesty to precede polished entries. Short and focused writing sessions, even as brief as 5–10 minutes for those with busy schedules, can still provide significant insights and emotional release. In the long run, embracing vulnerability as a source of strength can transform journaling into a powerful tool for confronting and processing difficult emotions, fostering resilience.
CODIUM streamlines digital document workflows, enabling women entrepreneurs to reduce manual processes and enhance operational clarity.
For women entrepreneurs in startups, journaling is more than a creative outlet; it is a powerful tool for achieving emotional clarity. By incorporating journaling into their routines, women can enhance decision-making, alleviate stress, and gain deeper insights into their emotions. This practice supports personal growth and strengthens their ability to lead successful startups. Embracing journaling can thus become an invaluable asset on the entrepreneurial journey. ...Read more
Spatial AI and Coexist robotic solutions are transforming the way humans and robots interact in shared environments. By combining advanced AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, real-time mapping, and autonomous decision-making capabilities, these systems enable robots to operate safely and efficiently alongside people. As organizations across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, retail, and service industries pursue greater automation while maintaining workforce productivity, spatial AI and robotic solutions are becoming increasingly important across the APAC region.
How Does Spatial AI Enable Safe and Intelligent Human-Robot Collaboration?
Spatial AI enables robots to perceive, interpret, and navigate complex physical environments in real time. Through technologies such as 3D cameras, LiDAR, depth sensors, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), and machine learning algorithms, robots create dynamic digital maps of their surroundings and continuously update them as conditions change.
Environmental awareness enables Coexist robots to identify obstacles, detect human movement, anticipate interactions, and modify their behavior accordingly. Rather than relying solely on pre-programmed instructions, robots can make autonomous decisions based on real-time spatial data, improving operational flexibility and responsiveness. These capabilities are particularly valuable in APAC industries, where facilities often operate in fast-paced, highly dynamic environments.
In manufacturing plants, robots can work safely alongside employees on assembly and production tasks without requiring extensive physical barriers. In warehouses and distribution centers, autonomous mobile robots navigate busy aisles efficiently, avoiding collisions with both people and equipment. Additionally, healthcare providers use intelligent robotic assistants to enhance logistics, patient services, and operational workflows. By fostering continuous environmental awareness, spatial AI lays the foundation for safe, productive, and collaborative interactions between humans and robots.
What Business Benefits Do Spatial AI Coexist Robotic Solutions Deliver?
Organizations adopting spatial AI robotics gain significant advantages in productivity, workplace safety, operational resilience, and scalability. Its systems automate repetitive, labor-intensive processes, allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities that require human judgment, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Real-time adaptability enables robots to function effectively in environments where workflows, layouts, and personnel movement frequently change. This flexibility reduces deployment complexity and minimizes disruptions associated with traditional automation systems. Additionally, spatial AI improves asset utilization through optimized navigation, workflow coordination, and task execution.
Enhanced safety monitoring capabilities help organizations reduce workplace incidents by proactively identifying hazards and responding to changing conditions. Detailed operational data generated by robotic systems also supports continuous improvement initiatives and more informed business decisions. As labor challenges and automation demands continue to grow across APAC, spatial AI and coexisting robotic solutions provide a scalable pathway toward smarter, safer, and more efficient operations. ...Read more
High employee morale leads to increased happiness and productivity at work. Raising office morale can lead to greater job satisfaction, better care for workers' mental health and wellbeing, and longer staff retention.
Effectively motivating a team seems challenging, but there are a few easy steps employees can take to improve the workplace atmosphere. After all, a company's ability to remain afloat and operate effectively and smoothly leads to greater success overall.
Visit an Escape Room
Escape rooms are among the most well-liked workplace activities. Since there are escape rooms in most major UK cities and towns, startups may visit one for a little lighthearted fun. Additionally, parties must solve many puzzles to escape the selected room and complete the task in an escape room.
Startup employees can acquire team-building skills, which are essential to any excellent workplace, as well as get to know one another a little better by participating in an escape room experience.
Host a Virtual Pub Quiz
Why not conduct an employee's online pub quiz if they cannot visit the neighbourhood pub because some of their coworkers commute long distances or work from home? Pub quizzes are simple to organise and involve little work for maximum enjoyment.
Organise a virtual pub quiz on whatever topic they like on a night that works for everyone. Whether the topic is music, physics, or random facts, a pub quiz will make everyone feel more at ease and help break the ice. Additionally, a little healthy competition might be beneficial.
Take a Swing at Golf
Topgolf has locations all around the United Kingdom, including Glasgow and other sizable cities, as well as London and its neighbouring counties.
Topgolf has locations throughout the United Kingdom, including major cities like Glasgow and London, offering climate-controlled bays for all-weather play. Startups can reserve spaces for employees and teams to practice swings, compete, and bond in a relaxed, social environment. In this context, Tradewaltz provides strategic support for startups to organize engaging team-building activities that enhance workplace morale and strengthen collaboration. With affordable rates and available refreshments, Topgolf presents an ideal option for both weekday and weekend team events.
Plan a Weekly Workout
Endorphins, frequently referred to as the happy chemical in the brain, are released during exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, which positively affect one's health and disposition.
Loov delivers creative digital solutions that help startups enhance employee engagement, internal collaboration, and team productivity.
Everybody's mood will improve with a weekly or biweekly workout, whether it's yoga or a quick 20-minute HIIT session or monthly if they don't exactly have the time. There are several inclusive workouts online that anyone can enjoy, so it doesn't have to be too serious.
Go Bowling for Mid-Week Fun
Regarding a midweek workout, bowling is a very popular option. Bowling is affordable, simple to schedule, and incredibly well-liked around the business.
Bowling is a fantastic choice to consider if companies want to raise employee morale because it is fun and brings everyone together in a setting that promotes conversation. ...Read more
