Holganix: Increasing crop yield with less chemicals and irrigation
Holganix technology harnesses the power of over 800 soil microbes to increase crop yield while using less chemicals and irrigation.
I confirm that I am fully aware of the eligibility criteria, and based on its description, I am eligible to apply to the CSV Prize 2017.
- Yes, I'm eligible
Preferred language
- English
Organization name
Holganix LLCYear founded
2010Initiative stage
- Established (the solution has passed the previous stages and demonstrated success)
Annual budget in 2017 (USD)
- Over $5mil
Number of beneficiaries impacted so far
- 5,000 - 10,000
Organization type
- For-profit
Secondary Focus Area
- Water
Headquarters location: Country
- United States of America
Headquarters location: City
Glen Mills, PALocation(s) of impact
U.S. States: ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NJ, DE, MD, WV, VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, LA, FL, AR, OK, TX, KS, NM, CO, AZ, NV, CA, OR, WA, NVWebsite
www.Holganix.comFacebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/holganix/Twitter URL
https://twitter.com/HolganixProblem: What problem is this initiative trying to address?
With the global population expected to reach 9.7 Billion by 2050, today's farmers are under pressure to feed the population using less land in a way that is environmentally and economically sustainable. Not only do they need to create more food, but they have to turn a profit and do it using less chemical fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation.Solution Summary: What is the proposed solution? What do you see as its most promising aspects for creating shared value?
Holganix is dedicated to inspiring a better way to grow plants by harnessing the power of soil microbes to enhance nutrient uptake by the plant. The result? Farmers are able to increase yield while reducing their need for chemicals and irrigation. We have several commercial growers and university trials that support the benefits of our products and can be viewed on our website: www.Holganix.com.Impact: What is the impact of the work to date? Specify both the social and the environmental impact of your work
By choosing Holganix, you are not only selecting an organic approach you are also choosing a product that helps eliminate nitrates, phosphates and pesticides from running off into our waterways. In fact, each jug of Holganix Bio 800+ allows you to eliminate: 80 Pounds of Nitrates 20 Pounds of Phosphates 75 Ounces of concentrated Pesticides As a part of our core value sustainability, by Earth Day 2020 we have pledged to eliminate: 100,000,000 Pounds of Nitrates 25,000,000 Pounds of Phosphates 100,000,000 Ounces of Concentrated Pesticides To date, we have eliminated: 25,594,000 Pounds of Nitrates 6,495,000 Pounds of Phosphates 24,182,000 Ounces of Concentrated PesticidesFinancial sustainability plan: How is this initiative financially supported? How will you ensure its financial sustainability long-term?
1. In 2016, Holganix generated 6 Million USD in revenue. 2. Holganix is seeking 3 Million USD in equity investment to further their impact in agriculture.Unique value proposition: What makes your initiative innovative? How does your project differ from other organizations working in the same field?
Holganix products: 1. Contain more diversity of soil microbes by 10x 2. DNA fingerprint each batchFounding story: Share a story about the "Aha!" moment that sparked the beginning of this initiative.
“I can still remember sitting in my office chair and staring out the window, watching trailers come and go filled to the brim with fertilizer,” says Barrett Ersek, CEO of Holganix. “At the time I was running a growing and successful lawn care company called Happy Lawn out of the Philadelphia region.” In the summers, Ersek would spend his weekends bass fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. Each year there was more conversation about the detrimental effects chemicals were having on marine life in the Chesapeake. “The more successful I was as a lawn care provider, the more chemicals I used and the more run off into the bay I generated. I became obsessed with the idea that there had to be a better way to service my customers.”Where did you hear about the Nestlé Creating Shared Value Prize?
- Ashoka page or contact
Evaluation results
2 evaluations so far
1. Overall evaluation
5 - This idea rocked my world. It’s awesome! - 0%
4 - This idea seems really exciting. With a little more polishing, it’d be among my favorites. - 100%
3 - I think the idea is great, but it needs some work before it moves onto the next round. - 0%
2 - I liked it fine but preferred others. - 0%
1 - It didn’t make my heart beat faster. Needs significant revisions. - 0%
2. Innovation
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 0%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 100%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
3. Social and/or Environmental Impact
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 0%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 100%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
4. Financial sustainability
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 100%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 0%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
Nothing stands out! I thought it was great. - 0%
5. Potential to Scale / Replicability
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 0%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 0%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 100%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
6. Organizational Leadership
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 0%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 50%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 50%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
7. Potential for Creating Shared Value
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 0%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 50%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 50%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
2 comments
Join the conversation:
CommentSharla Halvorson
Barrett Ersek