Kenyan climate data startup Gro Intelligence shuts down
TLDR
- Gro Intelligence, agri-data platform based in New York and Nairobi, shuts down due to capital shortages and leadership changes.
- Controversial restructuring and SEC investigation into alleged labor law violations after laying off 60% of staff without notice.
- Founder Sara Menker replaced as CEO by James Cariello; despite funding, temporary relief only; recognized by TIME as influential company.
Gro Intelligence, an agri-data platform based in New York and Nairobi, has reportedly shut down after months of capital shortages, leadership changes, and a controversial restructuring earlier this year.
In March, the company laid off 60% of its staff, a move currently under investigation by the SEC for alleged labor law violations, as former employees claimed they were not given prior notice. The company's founder, Sara Menker, was replaced as CEO by James Cariello in February.
Despite securing some funding in March, it only provided temporary relief. Gro Intelligence raised $85 million in Series B funding in 2021 from investors such as Africa Internet Ventures and Intel Capital, and $117 million throughout its existence. It was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential companies that year.
Key Takeaways
The shutdown is believed to be partly caused by last year’s funding drought, which impacted many startups. Despite high hopes and significant investments, its financial struggles became evident in early 2024 when reports surfaced about difficulties in meeting payroll and pension payments. This closure follows the shutdown of two other well-funded Kenyan startups in 2024: iProcure, a B2B agricultural inputs distributor, and Copia, a B2C e-commerce platform that entered administration in May. The company's decline underscores the challenging environment for ambitious startups reliant on continuous funding in a volatile market.
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