UK-based startup Messium has raised £3.3 million in seed funding to accelerate the rollout of its agricultural analytics platform, which uses AI to analyse hyperspectral satellite data to track nitrogen levels in crops. The analysis can then be used by farmers to more efficiently fertilise crops, minimising waste and maximising yield.
On 10 September, the company announced it had closed a £3.3 million seed round led by the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund and Expansion Aerospace Ventures, with additional backing from Mudcake, Laconia, GRDC GrainInnovate, Clear Current Capital, Moonstone Venture Capital, and returning investor SuperSeed.
According to the company, the new funding will be used to accelerate the rollout of its offering in the UK, Europe, and Australia, support the expansion of its team, and allow for the further development of its platform to address other nutrient and crop health challenges. The company also revealed that the funding would support its preparations for a Series A round to accelerate its international expansion.
“This investment is not just a win for Messium, it’s a step change for global agriculture,” said Messium CEO George Marangos-Gilks. “Our ambition is bold: to eliminate fertiliser guesswork worldwide, boost yields, cut waste, and help secure the future of food.”
In an interview with Farmers Weekly in January, Marangos-Gilks explained that to deliver its insights to farmers, it would employ a network of 15 hyperspectral satellites that were “due to be operational in 2025.” Speaking to European Spaceflight, Marangos-Gilks explained that its network is made up of capacity from various commercial hyperspectral data providers including Wyvern, Planet, Pixxel, Open Cosmos and Esper.
As the company begins to scale, it has already identified the availability of hyperspectral satellites as a key challenge. In a 10 September interview with AgTechNavigator, Marangos-Gilks explained, “there simply aren’t enough [satellites] in orbit yet to serve every field, every week.” He added that as more are launched, the company will be able to scale quickly. The company is, however, not planning on developing its own constellation.
“We have no plans for a constellation, but we would be very interested in launching satellites in joint ventures with existing partners,” Marangos-Gilks told European Spaceflight. Asked how many satellites the company would like to cooperate on, he replied, “as many as we can finance.”
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