Stories that Drive our Mission: Marc Duran

In this edition of Stories that Drive our Mission, meet Marc Duran, our Software Engineer at Earth Rover. With roots in one of Catalonia’s most fertile regions, Marc blends tradition and innovation.?

Marc grew up in Tarragona, a province in Catalonia known for its abundant growing of vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts and olives. Ever since he was very young, Marc has been involved in agriculture. Both his grandmother and his uncle owned fields where they grew a wide variety of vegetables, and Marc spent his childhood eating freshly picked vegetables and helping his uncle harvest olives, grapes, hazelnuts and vegetables. This upbringing instilled in him a profound appreciation for the land.

Despite this, Marc’s household also fostered a highly technological environment. His dad, a computer technician, introduced Marc to computers from a very young age, and he began exploring and tinkering with them. Self-taught and driven by curiosity, Marc discovered his passion for programming, embarking on several different personal projects, which led him to know that he wanted to pursue a career in it. “What I enjoy most about programming is that it poses a constant challenge”, says Marc.?

Marc pursued professional training courses in Computer Science and Multiplatform Programming across Spain, Italy and Germany. During this time, he showcased his skills in the CatSkills championship, representing his school in Software Applications and Website Design.

Furthering his education with a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering, Marc engaged in numerous volunteer initiatives aimed at promoting STEM among young students. Some of those initiatives included judging for FIRST LEGO League; presenting at his university’s Girls Day event to encourage girls to pursue STEM degrees; and teaching children programming during Code Week using Arduino to make it more accessible and engaging.

In university, Marc discovered a keen interest in mobile robotics, which pushed him to participate in the Autonomous Driving Challenge. As the primary developer for his team, he assumed responsibility for tasks ranging from light control to lane and sign detection. Through collaborative efforts, Marc and his teammates secured a podium finish in the competition.

Discovering Earth Rover resonated deeply with Marc, as the company seamlessly merged his two passions: technology and agriculture. Earth Rover’s commitment to sustainable farming practices and its innovative approach to agri-tech, aligned perfectly with Marc’s values. This alignment motivated him to passionately work to make a difference, joining the company. “I find inspiration in James Brown, Earth Rover’s founder,” says Marc, “whose forward-thinking vision and dedication to sustainability have guided the company’s ethos. It is great to know that Earth Rover originated from the real needs of farmers and it is managed by a talented team with a long record of experience in agriculture.”

In Marc Duran's story, we witness the fusion of tradition and innovation, mirroring Earth Rover's core values. His journey inspires us to stay true to our mission of revolutionising agriculture through agri-tech for a sustainable future.