Jacob Bussmann and Jan Ritter prove that Lower Saxony is a land of entrepreneurs with their startup SEEDFORWARD. They are developing innovative seed treatments that not only ensure better plant growth and higher yield stability, but also promote a sustainable harvest globally. With the support of Niedersachsen.next Startup and the innovation funding program of the state of Lower Saxony, they have succeeded in putting down roots in the industry.
From South Africa, viaOsnabrück -to the whole world.
“Grow better” – this is the guiding principle of SEEDFORWARD. Jacob Bussmann and Jan Ritter found each other in South Africa, a country where farmers are increasingly struggling with severe drought and the advancing effects of climate change. The two founders were working there as consultants for various agricultural projects. During their professional exchange, they realized that they recognized the problem of today’s agriculture in the same place: the progressive global desertification of the soil. Together, they put the first ideas for sustainable seed treatment into practice while still in South Africa. With success: they founded their first joint company. However, they soon realized that the development was not promising under the circumstances there.
They returned to Germany with a zest for action, an inventive spirit and a love of progress. While one of them focused on research and development, the other built up a strong network at the same time. The breakthrough on the market finally came in 2019: Germany’s leading seed retailer added one of the SEEDFORWARD products to its catalog. Since then, the start-up has continued to grow and flourish, working with renowned partners from the agricultural sector and constantly expanding its product portfolio. In all of this, SEEDFORWARD never loses sight of the big picture – the path to regenerative agriculture and thus the protection and preservation of ecosystems in order to guarantee long-term global food security.
3 questions?3 answers!
What do you wish you had known about starting a company before you founded it?
I would have liked to have got rid of the illusion that it would eventually become less. But the most important thing for us is our attitude to the issues we are dealing with. Turning negative stress into positive stress was one of the most important things I learned.
What helped you during the start-up phase?
We always tried to have as clear a picture as possible, to visualize where we wanted to go. And then just do it!
Your tip for anyone who wants to start their own business?
Choose your partners wisely. Look for people and supporters who suit you, your idea and your values.
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