Israeli Entrepreneur Nitzan Solan Says Hydroponics Can Be Solution To World Hunger

At the Indo-Israeli Entrepreneurship Forum, Nitzan Solan's eyes gleam with excitement as she explains her startup. The Israeli entrepreneur is the CEO and co-founders of LivingBox - a portable, modular and sustainable system that allows you to grow vegetables anywhere and everywhere. The standalone, fold-able LivingBox uses a hydroponic system enabling individuals or families to grow vegetables on water, without the use of any soil or substrate. LivingBox uses a novel nutrient solution and uses solar power for aeration. The system can survive and thrive for 12 months, all you have to do is add water.

The standalone, fold-able LivingBox uses a hydroponic system enabling individuals or families to grow vegetables on water, without the use of any soil or substrate.

A Chemical Engineer by profession, Solan was working with Intel when she was consumed by the need to make a positive change in the society. The entrepreneur chanced upon the extraordinary statistic that there is sufficient food grown to be consumed by the entire population of the world but sadly this food is not disseminated widely. This made her realise the potential of Hydroponics - a science she says has been around for about 3,000 years but is finally on course to become commonplace for people. The LivingBox currently has 50 units distributed and a presence in countries like the US, Fiji, Nigeria and Spain.

 Solan says, "One of the biggest challenges faced by the world today is the lack of accessibility when it comes to food. You might be living some place where the soil doesn't support the growth of legumes. But with a system like LivingBox, you can grow your choice of fruits and vegetables (up to 30 at once) anytime, anywhere."

 An idea like hers needs support from investors to be as accessible as possible and even during her visit to India, Solan was meeting investors in Pune. For this avid surf-lover, work truly never stops.

"Being an entrepreneur means being prepared for the good and bad days. You have to remain strong and believe in the potential of what you have created."

"For building an infrastructure for mass production, which will ensure our products (currently available for around Rs 20,000) to be available for a lesser price, we'd need as much financial support possible. Being an entrepreneur means being prepared for the good and bad days. You have to remain strong and believe in the potential of what you have created," she adds.

Solan is really focused on scaling her idea and raising awareness about growing food organically without the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides and also minimising waste at the same time.

Read More by Amrita Paul