(IN2Ecosystem) Improving Greenhouses For Better Yields, Less Energy Use

Beginning in 2019, the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) partnered with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri on a series of cohorts focused on sustainable agriculture technologies. For the 10th anniversary of IN2, the program is checking in on the participants of the first cohort of the agtech program.

For farmers seeking to save money and increase output, SolGro offers an innovative solution. Founder and CEO Tyler Sickels believes his technology—a plastic material for greenhouses that alters the light spectrum—can significantly boost productivity while reducing energy costs.

“We developed a special material that shifts sunlight to the red-blue spectrum,” Sickels said. “Plants under our material mature faster and farmers can increase the overall crop yield.”

“For the average farmer, they just need their plants covered so they can grow,” Sickels said. “Our plastic is more expensive than traditional polyethylene glazing, but users are saving money on artificial lighting and increasing their yield by about 20% as proven by our test results from Danforth.”

Read more in this story from the IN2 Spotlight!