Crover – Bringing an Innovative Agri-Tech Solution to Market

About Crover

With their first-of-its-kind grain monitoring robotic device, Crover is on a mission to help grain‐storekeepers reduce losses and maintain optimum storage conditions. The device can fluently and autonomously move through bulk solids, like cereals and grains, providing users with readings of the main safe storage parameters (e.g. humidity and temperature) with a higher resolution than previously possible. The Crover device introduces significant efficiency gains over labour-intensive manual methods, and can reach zones within a bulk store that could not be reached with traditional systems. In addition to highly accurate monitoring of conditions and stock levels, the Crover device also aids mixing and turning, further helping to maintain stock quality.

Winners of a number of prestigious awards for their innovative technology, Crover’s ultimate goal is to help grain merchants and farmers, wherever they are located along the grain value chain, to be more efficient, to safely store for longer periods of time, and limit the impact of spoilage and infestations, ultimately avoiding any loss of profit due to grain quality loss.

Scaling the Business

FIS360’s CEO, Frank Allison, has been supporting Crover as an advisor through Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Ventures programme of support for start-ups with innovative or disruptive technologies. This support has included helping Crover to refine their financial and investment plans, raise their profile, secure investment, and accelerate their route to market.

Funding Success

In the summer of 2021, Crover was highly successful in securing pre-seed funding in excess of £300k from over 500 investors through a Crowdcube crowdfunding campaign, reaching over double their original target. This investment was critical to the sustainability of the business. With advice and support from FIS360, Crover has secured additional funding for a financial director, as well as a number of smaller grants to support specialist technical advice, pitch training, and market research. The Crover team has more than doubled in size, enabling them to accelerate the development of the crover product and increase their engagement with the target market.

Future Plans

Plans for Crover now include commercialisation of the first version of their integrated grain storage management system, along with setting up a product testing and self-certification facility. FIS360 continues to provide advice and support as Crover seeks additional investment to continue the realisation of their ambitions.

“The expert advice we’ve received from Frank of FIS360 has been invaluable in helping us refine our commercialisation plans and secure investment to grow the Crover business. Frank’s extensive experience in guiding start-ups helped give us confidence to make the commercial decisions needed to accelerate our route to market.” Dr Lorenzo Conti, Founder & Managing Director, Crover Ltd.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Lorenzo and his team through the Scottish Enterprise High Growth Ventures programme. The unique Crover device has enormous potential for economic and environmental benefits in the grain storage market, and I look forward to seeing Crover’s continued success.” Dr Frank Allison, CEO, FIS360 Ltd.