SMARTKAS

This interview details SMARTKAS, an Agrotech Solutions Provider based in the Netherlands. The interview is with David Meszaros, Founder & CEO of SMARTKAS.

Source: SMARTKAS

What is the origin story of SMARTKAS?

SMARTKAS was founded in 2020 by Dr. David Meszaros. After working on many projects involving the integration and management of technologies and innovative solutions, he decided to integrate the knowledge and technology he got to work with and founded SMARTKAS.

While David does not come from an agricultural background, he always felt that access to food and water should be a basic human right, and decided to align his company and his future to accelerate this mission. 'KAS' in SMARTKAS stands for glasshouse in Dutch, because David has been living in the Netherlands for many years, but it also means beehive in Hungary where he was born and raised. He sees beehives as the system integrator of bees' ecosystem.

Source: SMARTKAS

What are some of the biggest challenges facing SMARTKAS in the future?

It is crucial for SMARTKAS to work with partners who see the bigger picture of our process and have the same values as us instead of pushing for short-term gain. Whether these partners mean suppliers, governments, investors or offtakers, finding the right people to work with and share our knowledge with is meticulous. Careful evaluation and selection of partners and team members turned out to be crucial.

Never trust a well-written CV or a turnkey solution provider who says they know and offer everything, which is what we learned in the past 3 years. A proven track record, reputation, and good references must be the first step in the negotiation process that is followed by the “walk the talk” period before long-term cooperation is agreed upon. 

Source: SMARTKAS

What is unique about SMARTKAS compared to competitors? 

SMARTKAS is not a vertical farming company, and does not base its revenue and income solely on the sale of fruits and vegetables. 

It is an agrotech solution provider with young top management who think in a very long-term vision to change and revolutionize agriculture in a sustainable and reasonable way before Earth runs out of land to grow food for humans and animals. Climate change is damaging the world and it is irreversible. We all have to think of the fastest and most economical response in order to have a livable future for our children.

It's a race where SMARTKAS is trying to be the fastest to come up with the secret formula that will work for all. No wasting time and no wasting investors’ money. We are not just a potential solution provider for an urging problem but a handful of motivated young people believing in a mission.

Source: SMARTKAS

What are some of the trends you are seeing in the market, and predictions for the future, based on your conversations with your partners and customers?

As demand rapidly grows for locally produced food, more and more people and companies see the added value of partnering with startups who see things with a young and fresh mind that combines agriculture with technology. Exploiting animals and agricultural land is the past in modern society. In this educated and connected world people want to know and understand where their food is coming from. They prefer fresh and tasteful flavors compared to soggy and tasteless ingredients and are willing to pay for them. 

The amount saved on increasingly expensive logistics, fertilizers, pesticides, water…etc draws people to having garage farms, rooftop farms, container farms, and vertical farms close to our homes or supermarkets. 

We expect smart farming to become the new norm, hopefully, sooner rather than later, and as always see determined, non-compromising entrepreneurs in the private sector leading the movement.

How can people connect with you or learn more about SMARTKAS?

You can follow us on social media: Instagram @smartkastech, Youtube, and LinkedIn. On these platforms, we also share if our team is attending a conference, or giving a presentation somewhere.

Asia Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"For a target audience that is trying to understand the basics of vertical farming, this is a quality newsletter to subscribe to"

- James Pateras, CEO, Modular Farms Australia

North America Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download The Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"The North America Vertical Farming Companies Report 2023 aggregates many sources of public information on many different companies so that you don't have to do the research yourself, it's worth the money and saves a lot of time"

- John Ireland, CEO, NTP Technologies

Europe Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Helen Andrew Spare Harvest

"As a business development manager supporting the indoor agriculture, CEA, and food tech industries, I can say Urban Vine guides and their insider newsletter provide detailed information often difficult to find online."

- Irena Lundberg, CleanTech Invest Stockholm

Middle East Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"As a marketing professional in the indoor agriculture industry, Urban Vine's newsletters, reports and guides are an excellent resource for keeping up-to-date with news and developments in vertical farming."

- Steven Mitchell, Product Manager, Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) UK

All Indoor Farming Company Interviews

Van der Ende Group

January 6, 2024

This interview details Van der Ende Group, a company based in the Netherlands. The interview is with Marcel Boon, Chief HR Officer at Van der Ende Group. To learn more about Van der Ende Group and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

OnePointOne

January 6, 2024

This interview details OnePointOne, an indoor farming technology company based in the United States. The interview is with Sam Bertram, CEO and co-founder of OnePointOne. To learn more about OnePointOne and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Robovision

January 6, 2024

This interview details Robovision, a company based in Belgium. The interview is with Rob Gielen, VP Solution Sales at Robovision. To learn more about Robovision and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Skytree

March 27, 2024

This interview details Skytree, a company based in the Netherlands. The interview is with Lucie Jechova, business development manager at Skytree. To learn more about Skytree and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Nordamark

January 6, 2024

This interview details Nordamark, a company based in Sweden. The interview is with Michael Skaret, CEO of Nordamark. To learn more about Nordamark and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Climate Control Systems

January 8, 2024

This article details Climate Control Systems, a CEA technology company based in the United States. The interview is with Ian Morrell, Vice President of Sales at Climate Control Systems.

View Full Interview

Bayer Crop Science

January 8, 2024

This interview details Bayer Crop Science, a division of Bayer headquartered in Germany. The interview is with Carlos Buzio Meseha, North America’s Protected Culture Segment Lead - Strategic Marketing at Bayer Crop Science.

View Full Interview

Tecogen

January 6, 2024

This interview details Tecogen, a company based in the United States. The interview is with Dalton Allaben, Sales Engineer at Tecogen. To learn more about Tecogen and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

HPNow

January 6, 2024

This interview details HPNow, a water treatment technology company based in Denmark. The interview is with Ziv Gottesfeld, CEO of HPNow. To learn more about HPNow and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Brick Street Farms

January 6, 2024

This interview details Brick Street Farms, an indoor vertical farm based in the United States. The interview is with Shannon O’Malley, co-founder of Brick Street Farms. To learn more about Brick Street Farms and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview