A graduate who invented a hydroponic growing system for agriculture will compete in this week\u2019s NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.<\/p>\n
Adam Dixon (BEng 2016)<\/span>,<\/span><\/span> has been shortlisted for \u2018Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year\u2019 in the Cardiff final on 4 October.<\/p>\n The former Cardiff University engineering student is bringing to market Phytoponics \u2013 a revolutionary patent-pending growing system. Described as a \u2018Jacuzzi in a bag\u2019, the Phytoponics system rolls out and inflates to provide a safe haven for a range of commercial plants, from salads to vines, growing plants very fast. The sealed unit delivers nutrient-rich water to roots through an integrated aerator whilst keeping moisture in, and pests out. Made from a high tech polymer, the system can be transported cheaply and installed quickly by unrolling, inflating and connecting to power and water supplies on the farm.<\/p>\n Adam, originally from York, said: \u201cMy aim is to develop a franchise to produce the freshest produce in the world. Phytoponics has the power to increase the profitability of food growing in the UK, increase food security and reduce food imports.<\/p>\n “On a global stage, it is intensive but environmentally friendly, freeing up land by offering high consistent yields with high resource efficiency. It minimises the use of water, energy and fertilisers, and above all increases the quality of the product \u2013 making the food much more nutritious.”<\/p>\n Phytoponics \u2013 which means \u2018plant work\u2019 in Greek \u2013 was established in 2016. It now employs eight specialists including biotechnologists and hydroponic agronomists, with expertise garnered from Italy and the UK.<\/p>\n Adam added: “Phytoponics has been described as a Jacuzzi in a bag because plant roots get access to oxygen through specially designed air strips inside the sealed system. The roots of plants can access both nutrient-rich water, and an oxygen-rich nutrient mist zone. It’s that injection of oxygen that helps produce really healthy plants.”<\/p>\n “Phytoponics has been described as a Jacuzzi in a bag because plant roots get access to oxygen through specially designed air strips inside the sealed system. The roots of plants can access both nutrient-rich water, and an oxygen-rich nutrient mist zone. It’s that injection of oxygen that helps produce really healthy plants.”<\/blockquote> <\/div>\n Backed by two acceleration programmes and angel investment, the company \u2013 valued at \u00a32m by Finance Wales \u2013 is raising a \u00a3600,000 seed round and looking for the last \u00a3180,000 (\u00a3150,000 SEIS) to close it by January 2018 and enter the market after trials later that year.<\/p>\n Phytoponics and Adam have already clinched a string of awards including Innovative Start-Up of the Year at the Wales StartUp Awards 2017, American Society of Mechanical Engineers iSHOW 2016 fan favourite, and are currently shortlisted as finalists for UN Young Champions of The Earth, and Shell Livewire.<\/p>\n