In a remarkable achievement showcasing innovation in agriculture, SmArT has secured the grand prize at eMerge Americas 2025, a prestigious startup accelerator event.
The startup, co-founded by Shruti Choudhary and Dr. Pratim Biswas, aims to revolutionize farming practices through the application of nanotechnology, allowing farmers to apply fewer chemicals, minimize waste, and enhance crop quality.
Choudhary’s journey into the world of nanotechnology began during her PhD program at the University of Miami, where she found the intersection of her upbringing in agriculture with her academic pursuits in engineering.
Having been raised with a farmer and a business owner among her grandparents, she was inspired to create technologies that could positively impact the ecosystem and food production.
Dr. Biswas, the dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Miami and a seasoned entrepreneur, shared a similar motivation.
His earlier ventures, including the successful startup Applied Particle Technology, focused on improving air quality monitoring, which sparked his interest in how technology could assist farmers in optimizing their practices.
With a mission to deliver smarter fertilization techniques, Dr. Biswas and Choudhary launched SmArT, conducting extensive research on how their specialized technologies could improve agricultural output while reducing the environmental footprint.
The duo began their research with greenhouse testing, collaborating with farmers in states like Illinois, where they gained firsthand experience with innovative agricultural practices.
“Farmers were eager to test our technologies,” Dr. Biswas remarked.
“They wanted to see if we could help them grow more efficiently, using less fertilizer and reducing runoff.”
After relocating to Florida, known for its robust agriculture, Choudhary continued to work alongside Dr. Biswas to advance their research and development efforts.
The core of SmArT’s technology is a nano-fertilizer system, designed to deliver essential nutrients to crops more effectively through aerosolized engineered nanoparticles.
In contrast to traditional fertilizers, which can be applied in bulk and often lead to harmful runoff, SmArT’s approach allows for more targeted application, dramatically reducing chemical use.
The startup’s technology claims to boost crop yields by up to 80 percent while cutting fertilizer application by as much as 45 times.
The recognition at eMerge Americas follows their successful participation in the Startup Accelerator, where they honed their pitch under the guidance of experienced mentors and through structured online classes.
Competing against five other finalists, Choudhary’s presentation captivated an audience of over 3,000 attendees, culminating in SmArT being awarded the grand prize of $125,000.
Choudhary expressed her gratitude for the preparation provided by the accelerator program, emphasizing the collaborative effort of her team throughout this startup journey.
With the newfound investment, SmArT aims to conduct further field trials and establish connections with additional farmers, particularly focusing on tomato cultivation in Homestead, Florida.
Reflecting on their mission, Dr. Biswas remarked, “As engineers, we are problem solvers, and entrepreneurship is embedded in the fabric of our engineers and students at the university.”
With Choudhary poised to graduate soon, she plans to dedicate her efforts full-time to scaling the startup, working closely with Dr. Biswas and fellow co-founder Ramesh Raliya.
The enthusiasm expressed by both founders highlights their commitment to effecting positive change in agricultural practices, ensuring that farmers can sustainably meet global food demands while minimizing adverse environmental impacts.
As they look forward to driving innovation in farming through SmArT’s cutting-edge technology, the future appears promising for both the startup and the agricultural community it seeks to support.
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