Agrimesh Technologies is a precision agriculture company that uses machine learning, artificial intelligence, and wireless mesh technology to automate and optimize controlled environments in agricultural buildings.
- Delivering optimal and measurable results through automation (plus value)
- Maniacal focus on ESG (animal well-being, reduced GHG emissions, energy consumption, bio-hazard, regulated reporting, etc.)
- Continuously innovating in agriculture based on customers, market, and internal development
Tell us about yourself?
I’m a father of two, born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. After more than a decade in the supply chain at IKEA and then a decade in procurement and finance technology sales, I was approached to lead Agrimesh. The journey has been spectacular, with great people (farmers) who need technology to help automate and optimize their operations.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Take risks and change lanes sometimes. It is amazing how far we can go in this short life of ours. So challenge yourself, and put yourself in uncomfortable positions that will only make you develop and grow stronger.
What problem does your business solve?
Agrimesh’s wireless smart control is a unique feature that sets it apart from its competitors, who rely on hardwired stage control systems. While hardwired systems have been the industry standard for many years, they can be cumbersome and expensive to install and maintain, especially in larger operations with complex layouts.
In contrast, Agrimesh’s wireless smart control allows for more flexible and efficient system installation and management. Wireless sensors and controllers can be easily installed and repositioned as needed without the need for expensive and time-consuming rewiring. This can help reduce installation and maintenance costs, as well as minimize downtime and system disruptions. Agrimesh’s wireless smart control provides real-time monitoring and analytics capabilities that enable users to quickly identify and address issues before they escalate. This can help improve system efficiency, productivity, and animal welfare, as well as reduce waste and operating costs. Unlike the traditional stage programmed controls, Agrimesh is the first of its kind to leverage computational power to monitor and manage the environment dynamically.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
Agrimesh was founded in 2019 by two companies, Penteract and Groupe Jolco. Penteract, the brains behind Agrimesh, is a company that specializes in IoT and artificial intelligence. Groupe Jolco, the business behind Agrimesh, is one of the largest agricultural equipment manufacturers and distributors in Eastern Canada, with over 60 years of experience. The owners of both companies, Jean-François Montplaisir and Claude Lévesque, combined their expertise to develop and market an environmental control system that disrupts the conventional way of ventilating and heating livestock buildings.
What is your magic sauce?
Agrimesh interconnects the ventilation, heating, feed, and water using wireless mesh technology. It provides considerable installation savings (time and wiring) and ease of installation. The system uses regression algorithms to optimize the environment, improve yields, and reduce energy costs. Using a SMART control system, the environment becomes optimized for ideal farming conditions.
Agrimesh provides a user interface that allows clients to manage their operation onsite and remotely from their smartphone or computer. The system dynamically analyzes inside conditions, outside conditions, and weather forecasts to proactively adjust the ventilation and heating to constantly reach the pre-established setpoints. Each room is controlled and optimized separately. In addition, the system includes a preventative alarm system for high and low temperatures, CO2, water, feed, and maintenance.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
In 2022, Agrimesh achieved 80 per cent YoY growth, as well as signed on one of the largest private protein producers in the world as a new customer. In 2023, the company will build out its operations and development teams to further focus on growth with the intention of 100 per cent YOY top-line growth. It kicked off its FY on March 1, 2023, by signing on another Klondike customer.
The vision is clear for the next five years with global expansion and increased market share, but more importantly, development around community intelligence and benchmarking performance across thousands of producers/farmers.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
As a leader of a startup, you need to run efficiently with limited resources. I think that having such a motivated, dynamic, and dedicated team helps with any challenge that gets thrown at us. Building our brand, but as important our culture is key to the success of what we are trying to accomplish.
How can people get involved?
Feel free to contact us at info@agrimesh.net or 1-866-781-9861.