Founded in 2017, the Swiss agtech startup OneSoil faced a major crisis in 2022 when 70 percent of its market, located in Russia and Ukraine, became inaccessible. The company ceased monetization in Russia, underwent three rounds of layoffs, and saw its staff shrink from 80 to 30 employees. All three co-founders eventually departed, leading to a complete leadership restructuring.
To survive, OneSoil shifted its focus from venture-backed growth to financial sustainability and positive unit economics. The company expanded into Europe, Latin America, and Africa. South Africa emerged as a key market, becoming the company's second-largest region by revenue after Europe. Operations also include Kenya, Tanzania, and expansion efforts in Nigeria.
The company secured $1 million in funding earlier this year from investors including Yuriy Melnichek. OneSoil reached break-even in 2025 and reported 106 percent revenue growth since 2024 compared to 2021. While it expects negative EBITDA in 2026 due to scaling investments, the leadership emphasizes that the underlying business economics are now significantly healthier.
OneSoil currently serves 140 000 annual users who monitor 70 million hectares. The company recently launched an AI agronomist feature, which is available as an optional paid service. This tool integrates satellite imagery, weather data, and crop recognition models, utilizing eight years of historical data to provide agricultural guidance while incorporating safety protocols for field-based verification.
