Aurea has developed crop intelligence analytics that support precision orchard farming, enabling fruit growers to monitor and treat trees individually, avoiding the ‘blanket’ approach used in traditional farming
Amsterdam-based impact investor Pymwymic has announced the second investment of its Healthy Food Systems Impact Fund II. The fund, which had a €20m first close last year, has invested an undisclosed sum in digital agronomic solutions provider Aurea Imaging.
Aurea has developed crop intelligence analytics that support precision orchard farming. This technology enables fruit growers to monitor and treat every single tree individually, avoiding the ‘blanket’ approach commonly used in traditional farming methods.
According to the company, and depending on the application, this ‘blanket’ approach can result in 80% of trees within an orchard being treated with chemicals unnecessarily, with the related economic and environmental impact.
“At the core of Aurea, we work on digital tools that fruit growers apply in their daily practice. Thereby empowering growers of today with the sustainable orchard of the future,” said Bert Rijk, founder and CEO of Aurea, in an statement announcing the investment.
Data-driven solutions such Aurea’s are needed to drive the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy at the heart of the European Green Deal which, among other goals, aims to reduce the use of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030.
Aurea is the second investment of the fund, following the backing of soil biology analysis provider Biome Makers last year, as covered by Impact Investor.
Investments pipeline
Pymwymic is a co-owned impact investment cooperative of over 200 individuals, families, entrepreneurs and angel investors, founded in 1994.
The firm hopes to reach a final close of €60m for its Health Food Systems Fund II by the end of the year. Its predecessor, the Healthy Ecosystems Impact Fund I, closed in 2021 and has invested in nine companies providing solutions to preserve and restore ecosystems.
Speaking to Impact Investor, Monique Meulemans, investment manager at Pymwymic, said their investment pipeline has doubled since last year. “We hope to close two more deals within the next 6 months and focus on companies which provide innovative solutions to transition the food system – from farm-to-fork – for the betterment of human health, farmer wellbeing and the planet.”
She added: “As an impact investor, we consider it our duty to support companies to fully anchor impact in their daily operations and aim to build an organisation which lives and breathes impact as if it is second nature to them.”
She explained that while their focus is on the food and agri-tech sectors across the entire food system value chain, areas of particular interest include precision agriculture and soil health solutions, and food waste technologies.
