What's Happening?
German agritech startup eternal.ag has appointed Roel Janssen as Chief Business Development Officer to spearhead its international growth and greenhouse automation strategy. Janssen, who has a background in horticultural LED business development, will
work with growers to deploy harvesting robots and adopt automation technologies. The company, which recently secured €8 million in funding, aims to automate greenhouse operations by 2040. Janssen's experience in Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region is expected to support eternal.ag's expansion plans, including entry into the North American market. The company has introduced a commercial harvesting robot for tomato harvesting and a modular crop work platform that can be upgraded into a fully autonomous system.
Why It's Important?
The appointment of Roel Janssen is significant as it marks a strategic move by eternal.ag to expand its presence in the global agritech market. By focusing on automation, the company addresses labor shortages in greenhouse operations, potentially increasing efficiency and productivity. This development could have a substantial impact on the agricultural sector, particularly in regions facing labor challenges. The expansion into North America and other markets could also foster international collaborations and drive technological advancements in agriculture. Janssen's role in scaling horticultural technologies aligns with the growing demand for sustainable and efficient farming practices.
What's Next?
Eternal.ag plans to demonstrate its modular Trolley platform at GreenTech Amsterdam, showcasing its commitment to innovation in greenhouse automation. The company's focus on international expansion suggests potential collaborations with growers and agricultural businesses in new markets. As Janssen works closely with growers, the adoption of automation technologies is expected to increase, potentially leading to further advancements in greenhouse operations. The company's long-term goal of automating greenhouses by 2040 indicates a continued investment in research and development, which could result in new products and solutions for the agricultural industry.
