Airponix a finalist in food production category at second edition of FoodTech Challenge Awards

Airponix, a next-generation soil-less, ultra-low carbon food production start-up, has announced that it was selected as one of 12 Finalists for the prestigious international UAE FoodTech Challenge for Food Production at the 2nd Edition of the FoodTech Challenge Awards. Following a rigorous selection process, Airponix was selected from 667 entries from 79 countries, in recognition of the company’s breakthrough sustainable food production system.

“The FoodTech challenge is not only about finding innovative ways to grow healthy crops but leveraging technology to solve a looming global food security threat. Our game-changing product creates the perfect environment for plant happiness, enabling each plant to produce yields many times those of any other production method. And we can do this without soil or harmful chemicals using just a fraction of the land, 95% less water and minimal energy- so we have real potential to help solve the world’s imminent food security crisis,” said Michael Ruggier, CEO & Founder, Airponix.

The FoodTech Challenge recognizes early-stage agri food tech startups in Food Production, Food Loss and Food Waste that offer a 'unique and sustainable technological solution' and can demonstrate a path to commercial viability. Climate change and water scarcity, two of the foremost threats to food security, have placed sustainable agriculture at the top of most countries’ priority list.

“We are rapidly running out of suitable land to feed a growing population," added Ruggier. "The problem is further aggravated by the high energy requirements of traditional agriculture and existing vertical farming systems. In addition, supply chain issues threaten to limit access to critical inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, which makes local food self-sufficiency more critical than ever."

As a soil-less, ultra-low energy and water agritech solution that requires significantly less land, Airponix is especially well-suited to UAE’s desert conditions. It also means that local producers can scale up food production within the UAE, which reduces dependency on costly and uncertain food imports. Airponix has already partnered with leading global organisations, including a pilot trial with PepsiCo and successful trial projects in Scotland and Kenya demonstrating the global viability of this innovative way of farming

“The success of the UAE is testament to the power of sustainable technology to create a flourishing human habitat in demanding climates," Ruggier continued. "We believe Airponix’s agri technology will play a key role in delivering quality food to the UAE – and to a planet urgently seeking solutions that address the impacts of climate change and produce food at scale without soil, significantly less water and minimal energy.”