Innovation

Regrow’s core innovation lies in its advanced use of satellite technology and global data modeling to transform how agriculture is practiced and measured. Their platform helps farmers transition to regenerative practices (like alternating wet and dry rice farming) to reduce harmful emissions such as methane and nitrate-related outputs from fertilizers. This not only improves the health of the environment but also enhances the financial resilience of farming communities worldwide. “There are so few people currently looking at these data and caring about agriculture, because it’s so much easier to do something else with that data,” stated Anastasia Volkova.

The spark behind Regrow began with co-founder Anastasia Volkova’s deep connection to agriculture growing up in Ukraine, a major agricultural exporter. Witnessing the environmental toll of conventional farming practices and realizing how few people were working with agricultural data, Anastasia felt a responsibility to step in and create change. She explained how so few people were looking at agricultural data, and she felt a responsibility to make a positive change.

Her passion for global environmental impact led to the development of Regrow’s technology, which allows consistent monitoring and modeling of fields across countries, enabling farmers to visualize their land’s potential. Anastasia noted that they approach the farmer with their technology, showing how the field will look, its health, and where it can get to. This farmer-first approach ensures that sustainable changes are practical and tailored to each operation, while also being measurable on a large scale.

Several impactful projects illustrate this innovation in action. In Vietnam, rice farmers supported by multinational funding are engaging in friendly competition to become more environmentally sustainable using Regrow’s tools. In the U.S., the InGrained project with Louisiana rice growers demonstrates how sustainability can be tied directly to improved livelihoods. Regrow also pioneered forward financing, allowing farmers to implement sustainable practices without waiting for delayed reimbursements, which removes a key financial barrier to change.

The mission behind Regrow is deeply rooted in purpose — to transform agriculture into a resilient, climate-smart system globally. As Anastasia put it, Regrow aims to help farmers get value to their stage of the agriculture chain. Their innovation doesn’t just serve corporate sustainability goals—it uplifts communities while advancing several SDGs, especially Climate Action (SDG 13), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12).

Inspiration

The inspiration for Regrow stems from Anastasia Volkova’s personal experiences from her past. Growing up in Ukraine, a country known for its agricultural industry, Volkova witnessed firsthand how conventional farming fed millions of people, but increased water pollution, harmful emissions, and soil degradation. She said that when there is a problem, it is wise to look at the best solution currently available. If the solution is a poor one, find a way to fix it or make it better. In the case of Regrow, she saw the untapped potential of using data to enhance the agricultural industry.

This realization sparked a mission to bridge the gap between data and practice. The idea for Regrow was born out of the desire to give farmers the resources and information needed for them to create innovative strategies to enhance their stage of the agriculture value chain and enhance regenerative practices. Regrow’s mission, as stated on their website, is “to make agriculture resilient globally.” After speaking to Anastasia Volkova, it seems they are on the right path.

Overall impact

Regrow’s innovation has made a significant impact globally, improving environmental outcomes and farmer livelihoods. By providing farmers with important data and predictive modeling, Regrow helps farmers reduce emissions, restore degraded land, and boost overall productivity. Regrow has successfully captured 800,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, preventing greenhouse gases from entering and staying in the atmosphere. She also states, “That’s $48 million for about 1.3 or 1.4 million metric tons of CO2 abated… across several million acres of programming.” Regrow has covered and analyzed 1.4 billion acres of land throughout the world. 

They have over 100 current customers across the agricultural value chain, and they were rated the number one most innovative company in agriculture by Fast Company in 2023. Regrow also implemented forward financing in their business model, which removes a major barrier for small farmers and enables them to make changes today without financial strain. On a larger scale, Regrow’s platform provides corporations and governments with reliable, transparent data to meet climate goals and build sustainable supply chains. Every field improved, every emission reduced, and every farmer empowered proves that, with the right tools, agriculture can lead the way to a sustainable future.

Business benefit

In addition to farmers, Regrow offers significant business value to the entire agricultural value chain with their advanced tools for predictive and environmental modeling. They accomplish this through optimizing crop yields, reducing input costs such as fertilizer and water, and improving overall farm efficiency. Using their data-driven decision-making, companies can implement sustainable practices and track their progress towards climate targets. Regrow allows for this while maintaining or increasing the profit of the farmers and others they work with. Anastasia stated, “In agriculture value chains, the risk is on the farm, but the value capture is further down… Our business model re-funnels the value back to the farmer.” 

Their work also creates more resilient supply chains, increased consumer trust, and stronger environmental, social, and governance performance. Lastly, Regrow’s forward financing model greatly reduces the financial burden to farmers to make these climate-friendly changes, which helps make sustainable agriculture a smart business strategy. Regrow has a growing customer base of over 100 companies and is signaling strong market demand for climate-smart agriculture solutions, positioning Regrow as a leader in the transition to a sustainable food system globally.

Social and environmental benefit

Regrow also has many societal and environmental benefits, mainly the well-being of communities and the planet. Their data-driven model allows farmers to adopt regenerative practices that protect soil health, conserve water, and reduce harmful emissions such as methane and nitrogen oxides. This helps fight climate change, SDG 13, and promotes long-term food security, SDG 2, by making agriculture more resilient and productive. In helping farmers implement sustainable farming practices, Regrow helps reverse environmental degradation while promoting more biodiversity globally. As Anastasia explained, “Our mission is to make agriculture resilient globally. Food security is everything else security—resource security, social security."

Uplifting smallholder farmers, many of whom lack access to financial and technical resources, gives them a pathway to increase income and security. This contributes to global sustainability efforts and, in turn, helps society grow and thrive. By employing a farmer-first mentality, environmental solutions are accessible, practical, and equitable, creating shared value for the whole planet.

Interview

Anastasia Volkova, Co-Founder