Oxford Innovation Finance’s EIS Growth Fund and OION Angel Network have invested in Gardin, the first real-time, remote and autonomous crop phenotyping SaaS platform, alongside LDV Capital, MMC, Navus Ventures and other investors.
Gardin specialises in advanced sensor technology and analytics to enhance food production in controlled environments, such as vertical farms and greenhouses. Its state-of-the-art optical remote sensing technology, machine vision and analytics monitor plant physiology in real-time, enabling growers to optimise environmental conditions, improve yields, reduce variability and lower costs.
A key innovation is Gardin’s patented remote chlorophyll fluorescence sensor, which autonomously measures photosynthetic performance without direct plant contact. The continuous insights provided by the sensors allow growers to make data-driven decisions on lighting, shading, CO₂ levels and other critical factors, leading to more efficient resource use and improved crop quality.
This investment, part of Gardin’s on-going raise, will enable the company to accelerate growth by expanding sales channels, scaling operations and making its advanced sensing technology more accessible to growers worldwide. They will focus on growing its commercial team to drive customer acquisition and strengthen partnerships. Additionally, by deploying its technology in high-volume greenhouses, Gardin will showcase its ability to optimise large-scale food production.
Sumanta Talukdar, CEO of Gardin, commented: “We are thrilled to have secured further investment to accelerate our mission of revolutionising controlled environment agriculture. By scaling our technology, expanding our commercial team and strengthening our market presence, we can help growers optimise yields, reduce waste and produce higher-quality food more efficiently. This is a major step forward in making precision plant intelligence accessible at a global scale.”
Chris Oliver, Investment Principal at Oxford Innovation Finance, said: “We are pleased to welcome Gardin into our portfolio as they scale their groundbreaking sensor technology. Their innovative approach to real-time plant monitoring has the potential to transform food production by improving both efficiency and sustainability. We believe Gardin’s technology will play a crucial role in the future of agriculture, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth and impact.”