NIDO Pro Italy

This interview details NIDO, an indoor farming technology company based in Italy. The interview is with Andrea Carloni, Founder/CEOof NIDO.

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What is the story behind the origins of NIDO?

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The story of NIDO begins in 2008 when I started growing hydroponic peppers as a hobby. Right from the start, I wanted to test the best cultivation techniques to achieve optimal results. Soon, I realized that hydroponic cultivation required time, information on various settings, and the purchase of different devices to automate irrigation, regulate light cycles, and control plant nutrient solutions.

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I became aware of the great potential of this innovative cultivation technique, as well as the challenges of constantly managing and adjusting all cultivation parameters while being away from home for up to a week due to business trips. After two cultivation cycles, I decided to set aside this hobby.

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In 2015, after a seven-year hiatus, thanks to the entrepreneurial experience gained from another company that provided me with the necessary skills and resources, I decided to resume my old hobby with the goal of transforming it into a company that could offer support technologies for emerging cultivators.

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Together with two other partners, we worked hard for four long years, each focusing on a specific area of the product. I handled mechanical design, supply chain management, and marketing, while the other two partners focused on electronic and software development. In June 2019, we launched the product, which immediately generated significant interest in the market.

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What are some of the main challenges that NIDO will have to face in the future? Among the main challenges we will face in the future are optimizing and streamlining production, expanding our network of distributors and sales outlets worldwide, and adding new features and sensors to our devices while maintaining the simplicity that sets us apart.

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What makes NIDO unique compared to its competitors?

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NIDO has several unique aspects. From a mechanical perspective, the device is extremely compact yet highly efficient, capable of handling up to 10 cubic meters of water despite being the size of a shoebox. Unlike traditional wall control units that require complex wiring, our device can be easily installed in any cultivation system (hydroponic, aeroponic, and drip irrigation) within minutes. On the software side, we have developed an interface that extensively utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to handle complex operations. The best testimony comes from our customers: once they start using NIDO, they don't go back to "traditional methods."

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How is the impact of NIDO evaluated so far?

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Over the past three years, the company has experienced significant growth despite difficulties related to the semiconductor and raw materials crisis. To date, we have provided NIDO to over 3,000 cultivators, including prestigious institutions such as MIT in Boston, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and numerous Italian and European schools and universities. Currently, we are a team of five people and are hiring qualified personnel. Starting from September, we will have a new headquarters that will enable us to produce up to 5,000 devices per year, a goal we hope to achieve by 2024-2025.

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What are the lessons you have learned that you wish you had known when starting the company? 

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One of the most important lessons I have learned is not to underestimate the time required to develop and commercialize an idea. Having a realistic awareness of time can help avoid false expectations and achieve goals.

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How can people get in touch with you or obtain further information about NIDO?

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To directly contact me, you can find me on LinkedIn. To learn more about NIDO, we invite you to visit our website at www.nidopro.com/en.

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