In the heart of Toulouse, Nicolas Auriac and Quentin Jeandel founded Neopouss, the city’s first urban farm in 2021. The duo chose to cultivate nutrient-rich and flavorful microgreens in a compact basement space located in the Arnaud Bernard district, using vertical modules that maintain ideal temperatures and humidity levels. Driven by a passion for sustainability, Nicolas and Quentin set up their operation on rue Gabriel Peri and soon expanded their reach by relocating to Arnaud-Bernard in the summer of 2022.
Currently, Neopouss cultivates around forty microgreen varieties sold to approximately forty restaurants, with renowned chefs like Yannick Delpech among their clientele. The company prioritizes sustainable delivery methods such as walking or biking to reduce their carbon footprint. In 2022, Neopouss was selected to participate in the TechTheMoon incubator’s second cohort, focused on lunar economy innovations managed by Nubbo and CNES. Recognizing the potential of microgreens for space missions, Neopouss highlights its ability to preserve 97% of a plant’s nutrients after dehydration. This trait makes microgreens a valuable resource for astronauts by providing essential nutrients while minimizing transported provisions’ weight. Leveraging their expertise in space-related projects, Nicolas and Quentin collaborate with Toulouse’s Purpan agronomy engineering school on microgreen-based food supplements. Recently, Neopouss expanded its operations with a franchise in Marseille to further its reach and impact in urban farming initiatives.