Key Takeaways:
- Blue Radix has secured a €5 million investment from Navus Ventures and Horticoop.
- The funding will be used to expand the company’s autonomous growing solutions for greenhouses.
- Blue Radix’s Crop Controller is already in use in nearly 100 greenhouses globally.
- The technology offers growers the potential for increased yields and energy savings.
- The investment aligns with efforts to address challenges in the greenhouse industry, such as rising energy costs and labor shortages.
Investment to Support Expansion of Autonomous Greenhouse Solutions
Blue Radix, a provider of autonomous growing technology for greenhouses, has secured a €5 million investment from Navus Ventures and Horticoop. The company plans to use the funds to accelerate its commercial growth and scale up its AI-driven Crop Controller system, which is currently in use at nearly 100 greenhouses worldwide.
The Crop Controller, which automates climate and irrigation management, has been shown to help growers increase their yields and reduce energy consumption. According to Blue Radix, growers using the system have seen a return on investment of up to ten times the initial cost.
Alignment with Industry Needs
Horticoop, which represents over 300 greenhouse businesses, and Navus Ventures have both highlighted the alignment of Blue Radix’s technology with current challenges in the horticultural sector. Patrick Groeneveld, CEO of Horticoop, pointed out that the sector faces several issues, including rising energy and fertilizer costs, the need for increased yields, and a shortage of crop expertise.
“Blue Radix addresses these challenges with its AI-based solutions, which provide growers with the tools to manage their operations more efficiently,” Groeneveld said.
Focus on Sustainable Food Production
Eduard Meijer, director of Navus Ventures, emphasized that greenhouse technology plays an important role in supporting sustainable food production. He stated that Blue Radix’s approach, which goes beyond providing insights to offer fully autonomous climate and irrigation control, has the potential to improve efficiency in greenhouses globally.
Autonomous Growing Solution and Future Plans
Blue Radix’s Crop Controller offers autonomous climate and irrigation control for mid- and high-tech greenhouses across various climates. It includes a Strategy Optimizer module, which helps growers refine their crop strategies and work toward achieving more predictable yields.
In addition to the technology, Blue Radix provides human support through its Autonomous Greenhouse Managers, who assist growers in optimizing their operations.
Blue Radix CEO Ronald Hoek commented that the investment will help the company expand its team and scale its operations internationally. Hoek invited interested professionals to explore job opportunities with the company as they continue to grow.
Blue Radix Latest News
JPI Farms Embraces Autonomous Growing with Blue Radix’s Crop Controller (2024/07/02)
JPI Farms, a Canadian cucumber and bell pepper cultivation business, has adopted Autonomous Growing technology and Blue Radix’s Crop Controller to streamline greenhouse processes. The farm, which spans 22 hectares, has been using the system to address labor challenges, such as finding enough workers and high competition in the horticultural sector. The trial with Crop Controller in 2023 led to the decision to extend its use across the entire bell pepper area. Initially skeptical about AI, Giesbrecht found the system to be efficient, allowing him to relax and focus on other tasks. The support from Blue Radix made the transition smoother, with weekly video calls and prompt assistance via text message. The system’s simplicity made it easy to adapt to each growing environment, and it reduced stress and errors, ultimately leading to the full implementation of Crop Controller for the bell peppers this season. The primary benefit of the system is reduced stress, which Giesbrecht believes is a stress reliever and helps retain staff.
Other News:
Blue Radix was awarded the GreenTech Innovation Award 2024 on the 12th of June 2024 for its Integrated Autonomous Climate & Irrigation Control system, enhancing greenhouse management. The system reduces manual work by 80%, improves productivity and sustainability, and is a testament to innovative horticultural technology. The company remains committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable innovation in the industry.
Ceickor University and Blue Radix have formed a strategic partnership on the 16th of November of 2023 to address the need for skilled growers in Mexico’s greenhouse industry. The partnership focuses on AI-driven greenhouse management and aims to prepare students for the latest developments in Autonomous Growing. It also includes knowledge exchange, customized AI solutions, and practical demonstrations at Ceickor’s production facilities. This collaboration is seen as a significant step towards integrating advanced technology into Mexico’s greenhouse industry.
Blue Radix has integrated a new component called Strategy Optimizer in its Crop Controller. This addition helps growers focus on crop cycle strategy and cultivation process, ensuring that AI-driven climate control aligns more closely with the grower’s goals. The Strategy Optimizer has features such as planning, register & monitor, and short-term outlook to improve crop strategy. It allows growers to re-use best practices, avoid mistakes, and make structured decisions.
Blue Radix, the market leader and specialist in autonomous growing, became a member of AVAG, the industry association for the greenhouse technology sector in the Netherlands, on July 19, 2023. As the 77th organization to join the association, Blue Radix’s membership marks a significant milestone in the advancement of digital technologies and advanced solutions for the horticultural industry.
Blue Radix (website), a frontrunner in Autonomous Growing, has announced the beginning of a new chapter in its journey. Since its establishment in 2019, Blue Radix has worked diligently with growers worldwide to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in greenhouse technology. With financial backing from Navus Ventures and Investment Cooperative Horticoop, Blue Radix is poised to augment its product offerings and extend its global reach.