Startup Battlefield Mena 2018: Pure Harvest (Finalist)

TL;DR

Pure Harvest develops sustainable climate agnostic technology solutions for food security in arid climates, producing high-quality, locally grown crops at a lower cost.

Transcript

why don't I start this this is what we call home this is a picture of our farm in Abu Dhabi taken in March this could be a piece of land in any clear arid climate anywhere in the world traditional farming on such a piece of land is incredibly inefficient both in terms of resource utilization and of course the quality of production in fact in the GC... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Traditional farming in arid climates is inefficient and unsustainable, relying heavily on imported produce.
• 😘 Pure Harvest's smart farm technology enables sustainable agriculture in arid climates, producing high-quality crops at a lower cost.
• 🧑‍🏭 By leveraging technology and favorable factors of production, Pure Harvest aims to disrupt the import-dependent fresh produce market in the Middle East.
• 👻 Their advanced climate management system allows for precise control over growing conditions, resulting in healthier plants and better yields.
• 💗 Pure Harvest plans to scale their operations and build a strong brand that consumers can trust for locally grown, sustainable produce.
• ❓ They prioritize price competitiveness to cater to price-sensitive consumers.
• 🥅 Pure Harvest's technology also aligns with the UAE's commitment to climate change goals by reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in agriculture.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Pure Harvest make money?

Pure Harvest designs, builds, and operates high-tech greenhouses and sells the produce directly to retailers and distributors at 20-40% lower prices than imported products. They cut costs by eliminating the need for long-distance distribution.

Q: How do they ensure competitive pricing while covering their costs?

By growing crops locally and using advanced technology, Pure Harvest reduces dependence on expensive European imports. They also optimize their cost structure by leveraging solar energy, inexpensive labor, and potential collaborations to reduce costs further.

Q: Why are arid climates ideal for Pure Harvest's technology?

Arid climates offer plenty of sunlight, low labor costs, and favorable tax policies. By controlling the climate with technology, Pure Harvest can produce crops more efficiently and effectively than European countries, resulting in lower overall costs.

Q: What is Pure Harvest's long-term vision?

Pure Harvest aims to become the leading technology-enabled agribusiness in the Middle East, producing a wide variety of crops sustainably and building a strong brand. They want consumers to choose their locally grown, high-quality produce over imported options.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Traditional farming in arid climates is inefficient, utilizing a significant amount of resources and producing low-quality crops.

• The Middle East imports over 85% of its fresh produce, leaving consumers with a choice between low-quality local produce or expensive imported options.

• Pure Harvest's smart farm uses high-tech greenhouses and advanced climate management systems to grow a wide variety of crops sustainably, with higher yields and lower water usage.