Atarraya's AI-powered, 'plug and play' Shrimpbox farming technology will create up to 65 new jobs by late 2025 and help further establish the State of Indiana as the United States' agtech capital
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Atarraya, creator of Shrimpbox, the first sustainable 'plug-and-play' shrimp farming technology, today announced plans to establish the company's first U.S. sustainable shrimp farming operation in central Indiana, creating up to 65 jobs by the end of 2025. Housed in traditional cargo containers, Atarraya's AI-powered Shrimpbox shrimp farming technology offers a sustainable, highly profitable and globally scalable protein source that creates new opportunities for farmers — even in landlocked, urban locations – and is the aquaculture equivalent to agriculture's vertical farming. Atarraya will invest $4.8 million in total capital investment up through 2026 to open its first U.S. container-based shrimp farming operation. The first farm will include approximately 20 Shrimpboxes, and will advance Atarraya's goal of making shrimp the most sustainable and accessible source of animal protein globally. View a short video about Shrimpbox here.
"We spent the past decade developing the technology that will empower the future of aquaculture. We realized that in order to unleash its true potential to feed the world, aquaculture must be local," said Daniel Russek, CEO and founder of Atarraya. "We are excited to start in the U.S. agriculture capital of Indiana, which we believe will rapidly become the nation's agtech capital."
Shrimp will be a nearly $23 billion global market by 2026. Americans prefer shrimp over any other type of seafood and consume nearly five pounds of shrimp a year. Shrimpbox offers farmers a viable new revenue source that delivers up to 10 times the ROI of poultry or swine farming, and overcomes many of the challenges associated with traditional farming, including cost and environmental impact.
"Indianapolis is the perfect location for a global firm looking to set up their headquarters at the crossroads of advanced tech and agriculture," said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. "In addition, Atarraya's emphasis on a more sustainable approach to farming — reducing water and potentially harmful chemicals—aligns with our vision for a greener, cleaner future."
A Shrimpbox farm integrates the best elements of biotechnology, software and hardware that allows shrimp to be farmed locally, anywhere in the world. Shrimpbox also allows shrimp production without water exchange or antibiotics. Its proprietary AI-powered software makes remote management of its production units possible, ensures proper water quality, temperature and oxygenation, and uses robotics to facilitate remote monitoring and decision-making. The Shrimpbox automatic feeding system not only reduces labor hours; it improves the growth scheme by dispensing the precise amount of feed needed at optimal times to avoid waste. Unlike traditional shrimp farming, Shrimpbox operates with zero water pollution, eliminates the need for antibiotics or chemicals, and produces fresh, healthy shrimp anywhere — promoting the local production and consumption economy.
"We're inspired by the cutting-edge technology Atarraya has created to advance shrimp cultivation, and I am ecstatic to see these entrepreneurs and innovators choose Indiana to locate and scale their business," said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers. "Indiana is the ideal location for agtech companies like Atarraya to continue developing innovative solutions while providing consumers with a sustainable food source."
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) partners with industry organizations like AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative dedicated to promoting and accelerating the growth of the agbiosciences economy, to target business recruitment in high-skilled, high-growth sectors. AgriNovus works to cultivate business within the ag bioscience industry, helping recruit organizations like Atarraya to expand or locate in Indiana. Based on Atarraya's job creation plans, the IEDC committed an investment in Atarraya of up to $1 million through incentive-based tax credits and up to $50,000 in training grants. The tax credits are performance-based, meaning Atarraya is eligible to claim incentives once Indiana residents are hired and trained. Atarraya is currently hiring in Indianapolis for engineers, operators and biologists. Interested applicants may apply via email at [email protected].
"Atarraya's Shrimpbox unites the power of technology, science and sustainable food production to bring new choices to the U.S. market," said Mitch Frazier, CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. "Indiana's $52 billion agbioscience economy, coupled with our strength in technology, make Indiana a destination of choice for global innovators like Atarraya as we build the economy of the future."
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is charged with growing the State economy, driving economic development, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Led by Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers, @SecChambersIN, and governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, @GovHolcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit iedc.in.gov.
About Atarraya
Atarraya is on a mission to make shrimp the sustainable protein of the 21st century. Powered by AI, Atarraya's proprietary Shrimpbox is a true "plug and play'' sustainable shrimp farm that transforms aquaculture by using the most advanced biotechnology, software and hardware available. Atarraya's Shrimpbox technology was developed over the course of the past 10 years by a team of engineers, biologists, and developers from Mexico, Norway, Brazil, Argentina and Poland. Atarraya's holdings include Maricultura Vigas, a sustainable aquaculture production company with a decade of shrimp farming experience utilizing biofloc technology that minimizes the use of water and eliminates the necessity of antibiotics and harmful chemicals.
Based in Mexico City and Indianapolis, Atarraya is a privately held corporation backed by Jeffrey Horing, Mark K. Gormley and other angel investors. Follow Atarraya on YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter, or learn more at https://www.atarraya.ai.
All trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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Media Contact
Mindy Hull, Mercury Global Partners for Atarraya, 1 4158899977, [email protected]
Erin Sweitzer, VP Communications, Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), 317 296 2556, [email protected]
SOURCE Atarraya
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