Our passion for innovation and our commitment to research have enabled us to develop a flawless production process, which now serves the best restaurants and helps redefine the concept of a sustainable supply chain.
We grow every day alongside our plants, pushing sustainability standards ever higher, with the aim of revolutionizing agriculture forever.
The Circle is not just a company, it is a vision shared by those who believe that innovation means respecting, growing, and perfecting.
Sustainability
Sustainability is not just a goal, it is the foundation on which we build every action.
Our aquaponics system reduces water consumption by 90%, an extraordinary result when compared to traditional agriculture. We have completely eliminated the use of chemical pesticides, ensuring healthy and safe products for people and the environment. We work every day to regenerate every resource and eliminate all forms of waste.
With vertical farming, we grow crops above ground, maximizing space and producing more food in a smaller area. This cutting-edge method allows us to optimize every inch, increasing yield without affecting the soil, while protecting the environment.
We don't just follow standards, we raise them. We continuously innovate, driven by the goal of building a cleaner and more responsible future.
The team
The members
Valerio Ciotola
CEO
Doctor of Industrial Biotechnology. As President of the company, he guides the strategic vision and coordinates operational activities, actively contributing to the development of innovative solutions in the field of biotechnology and aquaponics.
Simone Cofini
Chief Technology Officer
Doctor of Biotechnology. As Director of Plant Engineering, he is responsible for the development and management of company technologies, with a particular focus on sensor technology and the optimization of production processes.
Thomas Marino
Chief Marketing Officer
Doctor of Political Science. He oversees communications, commercial aspects, and strategic development at The Circle, implementing innovative approaches and promoting the company's visibility in the market. His experience enriches the team with a creative and results-oriented vision.
Lorenzo Garreffa
Chief Procurement Officer
Doctor of Industrial Biotechnology. Responsible for crop management and production, ensuring product quality and sustainable growth. His meticulousness and listening skills are fundamental to the optimization of production processes.
Research and Development
Energy Sustainability
Thanks to a PSR call for proposals from the Lazio Region, The Circle obtained €70,000 in non-repayable funding, which was used to install photovoltaic panels. This project has enabled our company to strengthen its commitment to urban redevelopment, with a focus on energy sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
Research and Innovation Projects
The Circle participated in three projects funded by the European Union through the Horizon 2020 program. Horizon 2020:
Somiro: development of soft microrobots for precision agriculture and environmental management.
h-ALO: innovation in water and food management, improving the efficiency of aquaponics systems.
Greener project: sustainable solutions for water recovery and management in agriculture.
Financing
The Circle has received important national recognition, including awards promoted by Arsial with the Porto Sicuro project, by the MISE through calls for proposals such as Disegni, and by Invitalia with Smart&Start Italia, strengthening its presence and competitiveness in the sustainable innovation market.
Partners and awards
