Growing up in Ethiopia, Sara Menker was familiar with the agricultural sector. But it wasn’t until she started exploring global commodity markets that she realised that while the world was worried about financial crashes, a bigger crisis was brewing: food insecurity.
The global food supply chain relied on fragmented, outdated, and often inaccurate data. Recognising that this data deficiency hindered productivity and efficiency, she envisioned a platform that could aggregate and analyse agricultural information on a global scale. So, in 2014, this vision materialised as she founded Gro Intelligence, with its roots in Nairobi and an expanding presence in New York.
Sara Menker already had a thriving job in a prestigious investment firm but had to quit to transition to Agriculture. She had no formal background in agriculture or data science, but she knew that if she could use data to predict commodity prices, she could apply the same logic to food security.
Thus, Gro Intelligence is an AI-powered platform that collates and interprets vast amounts of food, agriculture, and climate data. It integrates over 40,000 datasets and processes over 650 trillion data points to offer its users comprehensive insights into the intricate connections between climate patterns, crop yields, and economic factors. This empowers governments, financial institutions, and farmers to make informed decisions and curb the global food supply challenges.
One of the company’s significant milestones was securing an $85 million Series B funding round in January 2021. This round was co-led by Intel Capital, Africa Internet Ventures (a partnership between TPG Growth and EchoVC), and the family offices of Ronald Lauder and Eric Zinterhofer. The funds were raised to accelerate the global adoption of the Gro platform and enhance its capabilities.
In June 2022, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded Gro Intelligence a $900,000 grant. This grant aimed to develop publicly available analytics to model the impact of fertiliser availability on global agricultural production, further boosting the company’s role in addressing critical food supply challenges.
In May 2022, Sara Menker addressed the UN Security Council, highlighting the pressing issues of food insecurity heightened by geopolitical events and climate change. More so, her company has been featured on the cover of Inc. Magazine and listed among Fast Company’s Most Innovative. Its insights are frequently cited in prominent news outlets worldwide.
The founder’s innovation is essential for tackling global food issues. Gro Intelligence clarifies the complexities of agriculture and creates a path for a more secure and sustainable food future.
