Tomatopiu Italy

This interview details Tomatopiu, an indoor farming company based in Italy. The interview is with Alessandro Merigo, Business Manager Engineer at Tomatopiu.

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What is the origin story of Tomatopiu?

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Tomato+ was conceived in 2015 during Daniele's trip to the cold and northern regions of Europe. He observed the challenges of cultivation due to the unfavorable climate conditions and the poor quality of vegetables in supermarkets.

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Driven by his passion for nature and entrepreneurial spirit, Daniele embarked on creating the first prototype of our greenhouses, now known as horto4. In 2016, Tomato+ was officially founded, and over the following years, we have filed for more than six patents, turning his dream into a reality.

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What is the latest happenings at Tomatopiu?

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About our product,s tarting in 2024, each Tomatoplus machine will be equipped with internet connectivity and a cutting-edge software system. This enhancement allows for remote control accessibility from both PCs and smartphones. While this technology is already available in our HortoProfessional (our flagship product), an impressive technical effort has enabled us to extend this capability to our horto2 and horto4 Greenhouses.

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In addition to this technological advancement, Tomatoplus is set to establish a new office in Berlin, marking a significant expansion into stronger markets in Northern countries such as Sweden, Finland, and more. Furthermore, we are thrilled to announce a robust collaboration with the Hong Kong market and have taken the initial steps towards establishing a presence in the USA. These developments showcase our commitment to innovation and our growing global footprint.

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

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As we look to the future, our mindset is to embrace the challenges that lie ahead  -  Currently, our main focus is on establishing a strong market presence in Europe, expanding beyond the markets we are already operating in. We are also venturing into new territories outside of Europe, such as America, South America, South Arabia, Hong Kong, and Africa. Developing markets in these regions presents an impressive challenge that we are determined to overcome.

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What is unique about Tomatopiu compared to competitors?

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Compared to our competitors, Tomato+ stands out with its superior hardware and software technologies, we offering a all-in solution for costumer, we develop everythinks in our company and now we offering the widest range of available herbs. Tomato+ products are plug and play solution and very easy to use, in all the different sector with different products we operate. We are in Home sector with hoero2, HoReCa sector with horto4 and agriculture with hortoProfesisonal. Our company holds six patents, including a patented pod system, which sets us apart from others in the industry.

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How do you measure the impact of Tomatopiu so far?

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We measure the impact of Tomato+ through various metrics, including annual revenue. Our revenue has consistently doubled each year, and we have ambitious plans to triple it in 2023. We also take into account factors such as the number of employees, customer quantity, and production volume to assess our overall impact.

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What is the production quantity of your mini greenhouse units? i.e. grams / kg per day/week/month etc.

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The production yield for both horto2 and horto4 is approximately 1 kg per month for basil and vegetables on each floor. However, for those interested in cultivating sprouts, the productivity level significantly increases. With roughly two containers measuring 30x40 cm for each floor, this approach leads to an impressive and enhanced level of productivity.

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Do you use CO2 in your operation today? What are your thoughts in CO2 usage in indoor farms?

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Normally we do not use Co2 in our domestic systems, only sometimes in HortoProfessional systems.

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Used in the right quantities for fertilization, I believe it brings advantages to cultivation.

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The important thing is that the final CO2 balance of the cultivation is still lower than that of cultivation in the field.

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What have you learned that you wish you knew when you joined or started the company?

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One important lesson we have learned is the significance of a strong team and exceptional products in a startup. While angel investors and other external factors are important, they come after having a talented team and innovative products. We have also realized the importance of redesigning our products to adapt to the changing market conditions and built it in ready to use condition for final costumer. Staying aligned with market trends is crucial for continued success.

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

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You can find us on Facebook and Instagram. Additionally, feel free to visit our website at www.tomatopiu.com. If you have any inquiries or messages, drop us a note, and we'll get back to you with the best answer within 24 hours. Thank you!

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