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Benji Meltzer
Benji Meltzer | |
|---|---|
 Benji Meltzer. Retrieved from LinkedIn profile, 6 April 2020. | |
| Born | 1990 (age 32–33) Cape Town, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Alma mater | University of Cape Town |
| Occupation | CTO |
| Known for | Co-founder of Aerobotics |
| Website | LinkedIn Profile |
Editor: Tamia Adolph
Benji Meltzer is the co-founder and CTO of South African agritech start-up, Aerobotics. The start-up uses drone and satellite imagery to optimise crop performance for farmers on a global scale. This includes orchard management, problem tree identification and pest and disease management.[1]
History
Growing up, Meltzer had a keen interest in design and entrepreneurship.[2] Furthermore, he states he has always had a passion for data science, analytics and solving problems using innovative technology.[3]
He completed a BSc in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Cape Town.[4] Thereafter, working as a software engineer and business analyst at Cyest Corporation.[5] Meltzer then obtained his MSc specialising in Neurotechnology at London Imperial College.[6] Upon his return to South African, he joined Uber where he worked as an Operations and Logistics Manager for Sub Saharan Africa.[7]
Meltzer then co-founded Aerobotics with James Paterson in 2014.[8]
Achievements
Meltzer hosted a networking roundtable at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London, on the topics of artificial intelligence and predictive agriculture.[9]
In 2017, Meltzer and Paterson were granted a joint R8 million seed-funding round from 4Di Capital and the Savannah Fund in Kenya.[10]
In 2018, Aerobotics was chosen as one of 24 startups to be a part of Google’s Launchpad Accelerator in San Francisco, thereby becoming the only South African startup to be chosen.[11] In that same year, the company won the AfricArena VivaTech Challenge and the President Macron Tech Award.[12] As well as the Innovator of the Year award at the All Africa Business Leader Awards.[13]
In 2019, Aerobotics received $2 million funding from Paper Plane Ventures.[14]
References
- ↑ Aerobotics website. Retrieved 13 February, 2020.
- ↑ IITPSA. Retrieved 14 February, 2020.
- ↑ SME. Retrieved 14 February, 2020.
- ↑ Linkedin Profile. Retrieved 13 February, 2020.
- ↑ IITPSA. Retrieved 14 February, 2020.
- ↑ Linkedin Profile. Retrieved 13 February, 2020.
- ↑ IITPSA. Retrieved 14 February, 2020.
- ↑ Crunchbase. Retrieved 13 February, 2020.
- ↑ World Agri-Tech Innovation. Retrieved 14 February, 2020.
- ↑ SME. Retrieved 11 February, 2020.
- ↑ SME. Retrieved 11 February, 2020.
- ↑ Tech Financials. Retrieved 13 February, 2020.
- ↑ AABLA website. Retrieved 13 February, 2020.
- ↑ IT Web. Retrieved, 12 February, 2020.