Idai Nature founder Carlos Ledó received the ASTER Award, granted annually by the ESIC BUSINESS & MARKETING SCHOOL in the Best National Entrepreneur category in 2017.
Ledó founded Idai Nature in 2009 as a family business. Currently generating more than 300 indirect jobs, it is now present in 31 countries, and has established production subsidiaries in Turkey, Algeria, Mexico and the US. Last year the total group of companies invoiced 17 million euros.
Its value proposition is clear: to treat plants with plants. As Carlos Ledó explains, from the beginning he was convinced: “the best way to achieve this is to bring back the techniques and practices of yesterday’s farmers, and improve them using the latest technology.”
Idai Nature manufactures natural solutions for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables without chemical residues, through mixtures of plant extracts and minerals. “Our technology allows farmers to offer supermarkets fruits and vegetables free of chemical residue, and at the same cost,” says Ledó. Defying the economic crisis, this approach allowed his company to flourish and keep on growing, while receiving national and international awards for its innovation along the way.
In his acceptance speech Carlos Ledó dedicated this award to his customers, “farmers and consumers who know that agriculture without chemical residues is the present and future of the industry.”
Awarded annually by ESIC since 1982, the ASTER Awards are highly renowned honours acknowledging the merits of individuals and entities in their professional activities. Now in their 35th edition, they were chaired by Secretary of State for Education Marcial Marín Hellín.
