Direct.Farm

About project

The agrotech and fintech platform combines the leading network of the Russian farming industry, advanced farm management software, and an agricultural inputs marketplace, all supported by innovative financial services.

Facts

Pre-seed round on valuation of $2M
Seed round on valuation of $25M
$1M tech budget
20+ developers
2.5 years time-to-market

Customer

Direct.Farm

Goal

darts image
To launch an online ecosystem that provides:

  1. A resourceful information and networking hub for sharing agricultural knowledge and expertise.

  2. A marketplace for farming products and services.

  3. Innovative Fintech services aimed at farmers, input distributors, vendors, grain traders, and producers.

  4. Advanced farm resource planning and production management software.

  5. Employee search capabilities.

  6. A transparent rating agency utilizing blockchain technology for agricultural market participants.

  7. Professional financial advice from banking experts.


To design a mobile application for Android and iOS platforms where industry professionals exchange expertise and support each other.

To create a farm management platform for growers, including the HQ software, mobile applications for agronomists, and software for third-party contractors, consultants and input suppliers support staff.

Implementation

Idea (Q4 2017)

Our project managers met with the customer to get a clear idea of what they wanted to achieve.

Step 1. Proof of Concept (Q4 2017- Q2 2018)

  • We figured out the correct technology stack and the timeframe for the project.
  • Appropriate recommendations were made. Project costs calculated.
  • The brand identity was developed by our designers.
  • Direct.Farm was registered as their legal trade name.
  • A team of 15 developers assembled.
  • First working prototypes of web and mobile versions of Direct.Farm for Android and iOS platforms with basic functionality developed and released. 

Step 2. MVP (Q3 2018 - Q1 2019)

  • First Direct.Farm fully functional web version was released. The version included a social blog and marketplace for goods and services.
  • A blockchain-based rating agency was added to the platform.
  • Direct.Farm mobile application is fully functional.
  • Synchronization of all platforms and final tests conducted.
  • Vmeste.Direct.Farm mobile application developed, tested and released.

Step 3. Working Business (Q1 2019 - till now)

  • Project documentation with the technical specs prepared as per the request of the client during the investment round.
  • Legal aspects of the project finalized.
  • Investment round was conducted with our participation. 30% of the company shares were successfully sold to the new investor. Project is valued at 3 million USD.
  • The project continues as the client requested an additional platform to be developed.
  • Development of Audit.Direct.Farm started.

Results

1

Direct.Farm is the number 1 online business platform for farmers in Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. Currently, it is the largest network of agricultural technology in Russia. The number of participants (agronomists, livestock breeders, heads of agricultural enterprises) ~10 000 people (including 4 000 + agronomists, 2 000+ livestock breeders) from 74 subjects of the Russian Federation and 17 subjects of the CIS countries and Ukraine.

2

Vmeste.Direct.Farm – a mobile application available for download on Google Play and App Stores. Already used by more than 15 000 industry professionals.

Technologies

Basic technologies
1
Java, Java (Android)
MVC, Nginx, SWIFT
Storing and working with data
2
ClickHouse, PostgreSQL
Web Interface
3
React.js, Yandex.Maps.API
Blockchain
4
Stellar fork
Message Brokers
5
RabbitMQ
Version control system
6
Git

Platforms

Web services
Web applications
Desktop applications
Mobile applications
Server applications

Team

  • 6 back-end developers (Java)
  • 2 front-end developers
  • 2 Android developers
  • 2 iOs developers
  • 1 DevOps
  • 2 QA engineers
  • 2 UX/UI designers
  • 1 project manager
  • 1 product manager
  • 1 team lead 
  • 1 architect

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