FruitCast, the startup behind a novel AI-based forecasting tool for the soft fruit industry, was one of just 13 businesses chosen from across the UK to showcase innovation and investment opportunities to leading global investors.
Selected alongside Aston Martin, McLaren Group, and Oxford Quantum Circuits, FruitCast was invited to the second Global Investment Summit. The event, hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, was attended by over 200 global investors, including CEOs from Goldman Sachs, Aviva, and JP Morgan Chase.
Dr Raymond Martin, Chief Technical Officer at FruitCast, which is set to fully launch in Spring 2024, expressed his privilege at being part of the line-up alongside some of the UK's most progressive businesses. He emphasised FruitCast's mission to revolutionise agricultural practices through AI and data analytics for sustainable and efficient practices. The platform was an excellent opportunity for FruitCast to demonstrate its potential to aid the soft fruit industry and other crops in the future, aligning with the UK's broader commitment to innovation and progress.
Developed by Dr Martin as part of his PhD, FruitCast received a £2.8m investment for further innovation and team expansion, including Richard Williamson, formerly of Velcourt and Dyson Farming. The technology is set to hit the market in early 2024.
Source: hortnews.com