Jordi van der Meijden on five years of Ledgnd: From ambition to global impact

On the occasion of Ledgnd’s five-year anniversary, we interviewed project manager Jordi van der Meijden. During our conversation, it became clear how remarkable the past five years have been for Ledgnd. What began as an ambitious idea to help growers transition from Son-T to LED lighting has now evolved into a company making a significant global impact on greenhouse horticulture. With its proprietary data integration platform, MyLedgnd, Ledgnd supports growers worldwide in optimizing their greenhouses. Together with Jordi van der Meijden, we look back on five years of projects.

Over the past five years, Ledgnd has worked on no fewer than 290 projects. These range from small family-run farms taking their first steps into LED lighting to vast, fully data-driven greenhouse complexes. “Each collaboration is unique,” says project manager Jordi van der Meijden. “One grower may be primarily focused on saving energy, while another wants to boost yield per square meter. What makes each project special is that we work together with the client to find the solution that genuinely fits their needs.”

It’s this diversity of projects that drives Ledgnd. It’s not just about technical solutions; it’s about building relationships and trust. “Growers know they can count on us, whether they need advice, data analysis, or help with implementing LED technology,” Jordi explains.

By now, Ledgnd has helped make over 800 hectares of greenhouses more efficient—an area exceeding 1,100 football fields combined! This has been achieved through the MyLedgnd platform, as well as various sensors and plant feedback systems that provide growers with real-time insights into their greenhouse climate. “What’s remarkable about our technology is that it not only offers insights but also facilitates direct action,” Jordi points out. “We’re seeing that growers are increasingly understanding how to leverage data to enhance their yields and make their processes more sustainable.”

“A personal highlight for me is our 32% market share in the full-LED projects we oversee,” says Jordi. “What’s unique is that we don’t sell LED lighting ourselves. That makes us entirely brand-independent. We stand firmly on the grower’s side, guiding them in choosing the right lighting solution. This demonstrates that growers trust us to guide them through the process. LED lighting is the future, and we help make that step as smooth and profitable as possible. The fact that we’ve taken on a leading role in this process is something we’re incredibly proud of.”

But that 32% also means that 68% of the market still hasn’t engaged an advisor. “For those growers, there’s a huge opportunity: even a single small improvement or adjustment can recoup the investment.”

Subsidies play a crucial role in making innovation accessible to growers. Over the course of five years, Ledgnd has helped its clients secure more than €70.4 million in subsidies from European, national, and global funding sources. Jordi highlights Ledgnd’s role as a facilitator: “This often makes the difference between just making plans and actually executing them. It’s fantastic to see this money invested in sustainable solutions, such as the transition to LED lighting.”

When asked what makes him most proud, Jordi doesn’t hesitate: “It’s the collaboration. Within our team, but also with our clients. Together, we search for solutions, develop strategies, and celebrate successes. That sense of ‘we’re doing this together’ is what makes all the difference to me.”

Armed with the impressive figures of the past five years, Jordi mainly looks ahead. His message to growers is clear: “Bring an advisor on board. Have someone look over your shoulder, because even one improvement can make a world of difference. We will continue to grow, but we’ll remain true to the same mission: to brighten growers’ work—both literally and figuratively.”

With a solid foundation of five years’ success, Ledgnd looks forward to a future full of growth and innovation. “On to the next five years,” Jordi concludes.