Amirul Merican is the co-founder and COO of Qarbotech, a company dedicated to enhancing photosynthesis through innovative technology that boosts crop yields and supports food security.

They recently raised $1.5M in seed funding and are scaling up production to empower farmers with sustainable solutions, helping them grow stronger and more nutritious crops.

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👋🏼  How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

As the co-founder and COO of Qarbotech, my role is to help farmers increase food production using our innovative photosynthesis enhancer.

This product improves how plants capture and use sunlight, leading to higher yields and increased income for farmers. It also strengthens crops, making them more resilient to climate change.

In essence, we empower farmers to be more productive and sustainable, enabling them to feed more people while protecting the environment.

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🧐  What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

One surprising thing about me is that I’m a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Cambridge who co-founded and successfully exited a biotech startup focused on food security, producing insect protein and organic fertilizer.

I’ve continued my journey in agriculture and food security as the co-founder of Qarbotech, where we’re now using photosynthesis-enhancing technology to increase crop yields.

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🏆  What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

The biggest highlight of my career so far has been Qarbotech raising $1.5M in seed funding and scaling up production to expand globally. It’s incredibly rewarding to see more and more farmers using our product and experiencing not just higher yields, but also stronger, sweeter, and more nutritious crops.

Knowing that our technology is making a real difference in their livelihoods and helping combat food security is what drives me.

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🔍  What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?

I'm closely watching trends in food security and AI this year. Food security is critical as the need to produce more food sustainably becomes more urgent in the face of climate change and population growth.

At the same time, AI is gaining momentum across industries, and its potential applications in agriculture—such as optimizing crop yields and improving resource management—could revolutionize the way we tackle food security challenges.

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💼  What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?

My advice for someone starting out in the agricultural industry is to be patient. It takes time to convince farmers to adopt new technology.

It's essential to provide support and guidance—essentially 'hand-holding' them—so they can see the results and benefits firsthand. When farmers increase their income through improved practices, it not only enhances their livelihoods but also contributes to greater food security for the entire community.

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🗣  What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours?

Pokémon.

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🎥  What's your favorite movie/TV show?

X-Men!

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🍨  What's your go-to ice cream flavor?

Sesame seed from Scoopy Treats at Hartamas.