Shimejito

About Shimejito

Shimejito is an agritech company founded in 2019 that operates a decentralized mushroom production network. The company was accelerated by BGI/MIT and is supported by Portugal's Startup Visa program. Shimejito's core business is 'agriculture as a service,' enabling individuals and communities to become mushroom producers through a franchise-like model. The company provides the necessary infrastructure, proprietary technology using IoT controls, training, and logistics, and guarantees the purchase of the entire mushroom production.

The business model is built on principles of a circular economy. Shimejito's Bio-Factories use local waste like sawdust to produce a specialized mushroom substrate, which is then supplied to its network of urban farms. After harvesting, the used substrate is repurposed and sold as a soil additive for organic farming, ensuring zero industrial waste. The urban farms, typically 70m² facilities, are capable of producing up to 6 tonnes of various exotic mushrooms annually, independent of seasonality. This decentralized approach aims to promote local economies and sustainable food production.

Beyond fresh mushrooms, Shimejito develops and sells a range of value-added products, including mushroom powder, snacks, coffee, and mycelium-based soil additives. The company also offers services such as professional relocation assistance for individuals moving to Europe to work in the green economy and establishing 'Shime-Hubs,' which are multi-purpose community shops. The company has a presence in Portugal, Brazil, Spain, and the UK. The initial prompt for the user also mentioned an interest in the "Psychedelic Renaissance," but the company's current public-facing materials and services focus on edible and functional mushrooms, agriculture technology, and circular economy principles.