Welcome to Global Good’s Impact Interview series. Today, we’ll be speaking with Matteo Vanotti (pictured right), CEO of xFarm Technologies, an AgriTech scaleup helping farmers become more efficient through its digital platform.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your role?
I’m a Swiss farmer, engineer and entrepreneur. I hold a BSc in Electrical Engineering and an MSc in Industrial Engineering, and I have over a decade of experience in FinTech.
We founded the xFarm startup in 2017, and I’m currently the CEO of xFarm Technologies, a tech company that offers solutions for 360-degree sustainable farm management and agrifood supply chain digitization.
The products are developed by over 90 people and used by over 200,000 farmers worldwide.
How did xFarm come about, and what was the motivation behind it?
Back in 2017, when xFarm Technologies was funded, we saw an opportunity for the agricultural sector. At the time, digital transformation was occurring in many industries, such as the financial and industrial sectors. We thought there was also an opportunity for the agricultural sector because we think digitalization can make agriculture more sustainable.
“To face the challenges of climate change, this must be everyone’s common goal, and technology can give us important support to achieve these challenges.”
Matteo Vanotti, CEO of xFarm Technologies
Can you describe xFarm’s mission and values?
The mission of xFarm Technologies is to create a digital ecosystem to support the digital and sustainable transition of the entire agrifood supply chain. To achieve this goal, the company has developed its offering in three pillars: a digital platform for farms, a series of IoT devices for environmental monitoring, and several advanced services that are adapted to the needs of most agribusiness-related companies.
What are some of the most pressing social issues that xFarm is working to address through its technology?
The main problem in agriculture is technological fragmentation. That is why we developed an all-in-one digital platform for farmers to digitise their farms and use data to become more efficient and sustainable. Above all, it is a platform for food companies to measure and improve the sustainability of the supply chain.
Data confirms this. More than 200,000 farmers in more than 100 countries are using our system today, and more than 2.5 million hectares are already registered.
In your opinion, what impact will technology have in creating a better future?
Farmers today are asked to be more productive, to feed a growing population, and to be more sustainable since food production is responsible for one-quarter of the world’s emissions. Technology and artificial intelligence will be crucial in supporting farmers in this.
What advice do you have for other companies looking to use tech for good and positively impact the world?
Every technology company must aim for sustainability. To face the challenges of climate change, this must be everyone’s common goal, and technology can give us important support to achieve these challenges.
Update (April 2024): This interview was initially posted in July 2023, and later in the year, in November 2024, xFarm Technologies was crowned a double winner of the Super Connect for Good Competition powered by Empact Ventures and Hays. The OVHcloud Startup Program and Excelledia Ventures selected them as the AI for Good Winner. Elliot for Water and Presidium Network selected them as the Impact Challenge (Water Crisis) winner.
