Case 2: Deloitte Consulting srl S.B.

Deloitte specializes in supporting organizations through digital, strategic, and operational transformation. It provides advisory services in areas such as technology, change management, business strategy, innovation, and process improvement, helping clients achieve sustainable results and create competitive value in the global market.

Case Context: An innovative EU agri-tech company is developing a digital platform that integrates IoT sensors, satellite imagery, and AI analytics to optimise crop yields, reduce water consumption, and minimise pesticide use across European farms. This platform supports sustainable farming aligned with the EU Green Deal and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It aims to provide farmers with actionable insights to enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact, thereby contributing to food security and climate goals.

Case description: The key challenge is to explore how digital technologies can fundamentally transform European farming practices by enabling precision agriculture at scale. The proposed platform integrates cutting-edge IoT sensors, satellite imagery, and AI-driven analytics to optimise crop yields, reduce water consumption, and minimise pesticide use across farms throughout the European Union. By aligning closely with the objectives of the EU Green Deal and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the platform aims to promote sustainable agriculture, enhance farm productivity, and make a meaningful contribution to food security and climate change mitigation goals.
For example, IoT soil moisture sensors can provide real-time data to optimise irrigation schedules, reducing water waste in drought-prone regions such as Southern Spain. Similarly, AI analytics applied to satellite imagery can detect early signs of pest infestations in vineyards in France or Italy, enabling targeted pesticide application that minimises environmental impact.
Students are expected to undertake a critical market analysis to identify where the platform can deliver the greatest impact. This includes assessing high-potential regions and farming sectors, evaluating the competitive landscape and existing digital agriculture solutions, and mapping potential strategic partners. The analysis should also consider sustainability implications, barriers to adoption faced by farmers (such as cost, technical skills, and infrastructure limitations), and regulatory drivers that could either accelerate or hinder uptake.
Expected final deliverables include:
1) A detailed assessment of the business environment, including competition, potential partners, and benefits, presented through a comprehensive Business Model Canvas.
2) A market analysis identifying priority EU regions and farming sectors where platform adoption could be most impactful. For instance, prioritising arable farming in Germany and Poland or horticulture in the Netherlands.
3) Go-to-market strategy recommendations focused on early adopters and pilot projects, providing practical and actionable insights to facilitate successful deployment.
4) An impact analysis outlining the benefits of the solution and its broader effects on the public and society. This should include defining clear impact indicators, units of measurement, frequency of assessment, and target goals.
Students should prepare a professional presentation for the investors’ committee that includes:
- A concise introduction of the solution, including an effective name and mission statement that captures its value proposition.
- An overview of the Business Model Canvas, covering key elements such as beneficiaries/customers, value proposition, channels, revenue streams, key activities and action plans, resources, partners, risks, and cost structure.
- Results of the market analysis, highlighting priority regions within Europe, key farming sectors (e.g., horticulture, viticulture, arable farming), and adoption barriers such as cost constraints, regulatory complexity, technical skills gaps, and infrastructure challenges.
- A clear presentation of the go-to-market strategy, detailing how to engage early adopters, design pilot projects, and scale adoption.
- A thorough discussion on the solution’s impacts on the public and society, including the definition of relevant indicators to measure outcomes. For each impact, specify the indicator, unit of measurement, frequency of monitoring, and target values to track progress effectively.