Messium graduates from ESA-BIC programme, pioneering hyperspectral innovation in agriculture

Space Park Leicester, the University of Leicester’s £100 million science and innovation park, celebrates the graduation of Messium, the world’s most advanced agricultural hyperspectral imaging company, from the prestigious ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA-BIC) programme.

With a mission to transform global agriculture using cutting-edge hyperspectral satellite technology, Messium’s journey exemplifies innovation, impact, and the power of space-enabled solutions.

Founded by George Marangos-Gilks (CEO) and Vishal Soomaney Vijaykumar (CTO), Messium addresses one of agriculture’s critical challenges: enabling farmers to optimise nitrogen usage, the most vital nutrient for crop growth. 

Current methods for managing nitrogen are costly, inaccurate, and impractical at scale, often leaving farmers struggling to balance productivity with profitability.

Messium’s solution leverages hyperspectral satellites—which detect wavelengths invisible to traditional imaging—and advanced crop growth models to deliver weekly, cost-effective nitrogen assessments and fertiliser recommendations.

Vishal Soomaney, co-founder and CTO of Messium said: “Our goal is to help the UK lead the world in hyperspectral technology.

“Through ESA-BIC’s support, we’ve accelerated our growth and demonstrated how hyperspectral imaging can revolutionise agriculture by increasing yields, cutting input costs, and driving sustainability.”

Messium’s proprietary technology delivers lab-grade nitrogen results at a 5m resolution, offering farmers unmatched precision and actionable insights. 

Traditional methods rely on periodic ground-based testing or outdated satellite imaging, which lack the frequency and accuracy needed to optimise crop management.

By contrast, Messium provides continuous, scalable monitoring that not only boosts productivity but also reduces environmental impact.

In 2024, Messium conducted successful trials across the UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and South America, collecting over 16,000 ground truth data points. These efforts validated their recommendation engine, showing substantial increases in yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) as well as reductions in fertiliser use. As a result, Messium has secured commercial pilot contracts for 2025 and is rapidly expanding its customer base.

Chris Robson, CEO of Wyvern, a leading hyperspectral satellite provider, praised Messium, stating: “Messium is the leading global agricultural hyperspectral player.”

The Role of ESA-BIC in Messium’s Success

Messium joined the ESA-BIC programme at Space Park Leicester in 2023, a pivotal step in its journey. The programme provided essential funding, mentorship, and access to world-class researchers in remote sensing and agriculture. This support allowed Messium to conduct extensive trials, refine its technology, and fast-track its commercialisation efforts.

Vishal added: “ESA-BIC funding and mentorship have been invaluable. The guidance from experts like Professor Kevin Tansey and access to cutting-edge research at Space Park Leicester have shaped our strategy and accelerated our growth. Without this support, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve so much in such a short time.”

Key milestones achieved during the programme include:

• Raising over £1.75 million in funding, including a £1.4 million pre-seed round led by SuperSeed.

• Winning a £1 million Innovate UK project for nutrient management.

• Completing integration of crop growth models and neural networks.

• Signing long-term agreements with major agronomy consultancies, such as Hutchinsons in the UK and DataFarming in Australia.

Future Growth and Global Impact

Messium’s vision extends beyond nitrogen management for wheat. The company aims to expand into other cereal crops, nutrient management, pasture optimisation, and disease detection.

With demand for its services already exceeding supply for 2025 and 2026, Messium is scaling rapidly, presenting to over 1,000 farmers in the next three months alone.

As the company continues to grow, it remains committed to sustainability and advancing the UK’s leadership in hyperspectral imaging.

Vishal continued: “The possibilities with hyperspectral technology are endless. We’re proud to be at the forefront of this innovation and look forward to continuing our journey with strong roots in the UK’s space ecosystem.”

Advice for Aspiring Start-Ups

Reflecting on their experience, Messium’s founders encourage other start-ups to engage fully with innovation programmes like ESA-BIC.

Vishal said: “Build strong relationships with mentors, stay adaptable, and leverage the network.

“These programmes offer unparalleled resources and guidance that can transform your vision into reality.”

Vinay Patel, Head of Commercial and Innovation at Space Park Leicester, said: “As Messium graduates from the ESA-BIC programme, its remarkable achievements highlight the transformative potential of space-enabled technologies in addressing global challenges. With its sights set on further growth and innovation, Messium stands as a shining example of what’s possible when bold ideas meet world-class support.”