The DKG Group

What The DKG Group does

The DKG Group is a privately held, vertically integrated services group headquartered in Thessaloniki, Greece, with an additional operational presence in Crete. Formally established in December 2001 by Christos D. Katsanos and Evangelos N. Drimtzias — with roots in the 1993 K INSPIRATIONS consulting entity and the 1996 founding of DRIKA Farm — the group operates across the entire food chain, providing greenhouse and farm consulting (DKG Consulting via TGM® and TFM® methodologies), branding and creative services (TROPOS Branding), training and certification facilitation (IRTC), and agricultural inputs distribution (IQ CROPS, including exclusive distribution for Grodan rockwool substrates across Greece, Cyprus, the Balkans, and Egypt since 2009). Its technical platform centers on integrated agricultural management methodologies, hydroponic/substrate-based cultivation systems, biostimulant protocols, and regenerative/sustainable agriculture frameworks, with registered proprietary solutions including FraoulaBest© (hydroponic strawberries), MarouliBest© (hydroponic leafy greens), Medi Canna Best© (cannabis), and Vine & Wine Management® (viticulture), supported by ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications and an official GLOBALG.A.P. translation and training relationship (>200,000 translated words).

Revenue is generated through five primary streams: project-based and retainer professional consulting engagements (TGM®/TFM®), product distribution margins on substrates/biostimulants/biologicals via IQ CROPS and the Grodan exclusive, branding project fees and retainers via TROPOS Branding (using a 'Zero to low Budget Branding' methodology), seminar and corporate training fees via IRTC, and per-project translation fees via the Askme® division. The customer base spans enterprise greenhouse operators (21-member Green Club® growers association, Hellenic Greenhouses, TSACHALOS, EUROFARM), supermarkets (AB Vassilopoulos), viticulture (Domaine Porto Carras), cannabis (PRIMA A.E.), agricultural input manufacturers (ADAMA Hellas, COMPO EXPERT, PHC), and higher-education research institutions (American Farm School/Perrotis College, University of Thessaly, Agricultural University of Athens). Go-to-market is consultative and relationship-driven, supplemented by active participation in agrifood exhibitions (AGROTICA, Freskon, GreenTech Amsterdam, FOODEXPO Athens) and thought-leadership content (TROPOS Food Channel, ORA Academy, Sustainability Views newsletter, ESG podcasts).

The group maintains 11–50 employees, is founder-led with no disclosed institutional capital or public listing, and continues to expand laterally — most recently via the 2023 AgriDiver Cluster, the May 2026 inclusion in the European Carbonica programme, and the August 2025 appointment of its Executive Director as ESG Ambassador of TÜV NORD Greece.

Name

The DKG Group

Legal name

DKG GROUP

Website

https://dkggroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The DKG Group is a privately held Thessaloniki-based services group providing greenhouse and farm consulting, branding, training, and agricultural inputs distribution across the entire food chain in Greece, Cyprus, the Balkans, and Egypt.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Thessaloníki

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Professional Consulting Services: DKG Consulting provides advisory services covering hydroponic techniques, crop selection, plant propagation, feeding solutions, and harvesting based on TGM® and TFM® methodologies. Services are also provided for quality, environmental, and food safety management systems. Revenue is generated through project-based consulting engagements and ongoing advisory retainer arrangements.
2. Agricultural Supplies Distribution: Through IQ CROPS and as exclusive outsourcing partner for Grodan (covering Greece, Cyprus, Balkan countries, and Egypt), the group distributes rockwool substrates, biostimulants, plant health products (HALO, Plant Feed), and biological solutions. Revenue is generated through product sales and distribution margins.
3. Branding and Creative Services: TROPOS Branding Co provides brand design, 'Zero to low Budget Branding' methodology, strategic repositioning, and marketing communications services for consumer brands, food producers, and startups. Revenue is generated through project fees and retainer engagements.
4. Training and Certification Facilitation: IRTC (International Research & Training Centre for Sustainability) and DKG Consulting provide training on Total Greenhouse Management, GLOBALG.A.P. standards, ISO standards, and agricultural best practices. Revenue is generated through seminar fees, public training sessions, and corporate training programs.
5. Translation and Localisation Services: The Askme® division of DKG Group provides complex translation services in the Greek market, including official translation of GLOBALG.A.P. documents (Version 5.0 — over 200,000 words translated). Revenue is generated through per-project translation fees.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The DKG Group is a vertically integrated professional services group that delivers agricultural consulting, training, branding, agricultural input distribution, and translation services across the food chain — from greenhouse operators and farm producers to consumer brands. Its core commercial offerings are advisory engagements built on the proprietary TGM® (Total Greenhouse Management) and TFM® (Total Farm Management) methodologies, complemented by exclusive regional distribution of Grodan rockwool substrates, branded hydroponic solutions (FraoulaBest©, MarouliBest©, Medi Canna Best©), and turnkey branding through TROPOS Branding Co.

Product overview

The DKG Group is a vertically integrated group related to the entire food chain, operating primarily as an agricultural consulting and branding services organization. The core portfolio includes DKG Consulting (greenhouse and farm management consulting), TROPOS Branding (branding services), IRTC (training and research), and IQ CROPS (agricultural supplies). Key proprietary methodologies include Total Greenhouse Management® (TGM®) and Total Farm Management® (TFM®). The group offers specialized solutions like FRAOULABEST© for hydroponic strawberries, VINE & WINE MANAGEMENT® for vineyards, and MEDI CANNA BEST© for cannabis. Additional platforms include Hydroponics.gr (knowledge web tool), the Green Club® growers association, and the Askme® translation division. The AgriDiver Cluster, established in 2023, coordinates agricultural innovation efforts. The group has a 30-year history in biostimulants, working with products from companies like Plant Health Care, COMPO EXPERT, and ICL Growing Solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TOTAL GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT®: Methodology for greenhouse management services
• TOTAL FARM MANAGEMENT®
• FRAOULABEST©
• MAROULIBEST©
• MEDI CANNA BEST©
• VINE & WINE MANAGEMENT®
• The Friends of Xinomavro
• KeysMyCrops
• Green Swans Portal

Products and services

• DKG Consulting Consulting services for greenhouse and farm activities including advice on hydroponic techniques, crop selection, plant propagation, feeding solutions, and harvesting, delivered through proprietary TGM® and TFM® methodologies and supported by ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified processes. Targets greenhouse operators, farm producers, and certification-seeking agribusinesses.
• TROPOS Branding Co One-stop creative branding agency applying the proprietary 'Zero to Low Budget Branding' methodology to design brands from the ground up, including strategic repositioning, marketing communications, packaging, and visual identity. Serves food producers, consumer brands, and startups.
• IRTC (International Research & Training Centre for Sustainability) Training facilitator organisation delivering programmes on TGM®, TFM®, GLOBALG.A.P., and ISO standards (9001, 14001, 22000) for agriculture professionals, growers, and institutional partners across the region.
• IQ CROPS Agricultural Supplies Distribution Distribution of agricultural inputs including rockwool substrates (Grodan), biostimulants (HALO Plus, Plant Feed, Fulvic 25), biological solutions, and substrates to agricultural retailers, cooperatives, and individual growers across Greece and the Balkans.
• Total Greenhouse Management® (TGM®) Proprietary, ISO-certified methodology covering design, implementation, and support of greenhouse operations, with expertise in hydroponic techniques, crop selection, plant propagation, feeding solution recipes, harvesting protocols, and training.
• Total Farm Management® (TFM®) Proprietary, ISO-certified farm management methodology covering the design, implementation, and support of open-field and protected farm operations, integrated with training services for regenerative and sustainable cultivation.
• FraoulaBest© Solution Integrated hydroponic strawberry cultivation system using Grodan rockwool substrates and the group's proprietary protocols; awarded the Green Business Innovation Award. Designed for greenhouse strawberry growers seeking differentiated, soilless production systems.
• MarouliBest© Solution Proprietary hydroponic solution for lettuce and marliza-type leafy greens, part of DKG Group's branded sustainable cultivation portfolio targeted at greenhouse leafy-greens producers.
• Medi Canna Best© Specialised management and consulting solution for medical and industrial cannabis cultivation, combining consulting, training, and operational support for licensed cultivators. Has a dedicated web presence at medicannabest.com.
• Vine & Wine Management® Specialised vineyard and wine production management solution provided to wineries and viticulture operators (e.g., Domaine Porto Carras), addressing a 2+ year consulting relationship covering the new era of the estate's operations.
• Askme® Translation and Localisation Division Complex translation and localisation services in the Greek market, including the official translation of GLOBALG.A.P. documents (Version 5.0 — over 200,000 words translated). Supports multilingual service delivery across the group.
• Biostimulants Solutions Portfolio Curated biostimulant product portfolio and advisory offering combining distribution and consulting, including PROMINOL amino acid-based products, SPERSAL, HALO PLUS, HALO PLUS AA, Plant Feed, Fulvic 25, Vitanica RZ, Basfoliar, and Invelop. Targeted at growers seeking biostimulant-supported yield, quality, and stress-management outcomes.
• Green Club® Growers Association Reputation Management Growers Association co-founded and coordinated by DKG Group, consisting of 21 member companies across Greece that grow hydroponic vegetables in greenhouses. Provides collective reputation management and best-practice sharing for member growers.
• Hydroponics.gr Knowledge Platform Web knowledge platform consolidating DKG Group's practical experience in hydroponic cultivation using Grodan rockwool substrates, available to customers and the public to support the group's consulting and supply offerings.

Quantifiable outcome

• FraoulaBest hydroponic strawberry system won Green Business Innovation Award for client TSACHALOS GREEN TRADE SA
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• AgriDiver ClustermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2023The AgriDiver Cluster was established on 23 May 2023 with the signing of its statute. IQ CROPS and TROPOS Branding form the initial kernel of private operators in this cluster, representing a strategic aggregation initiative in the agricultural sector.
• MikynaiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022A 2+ year consulting sector partnership focused on agricultural solutions and market development.
• Domaine Porto CarrasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022A 2+ year consulting partnership covering the new era of Domaine Porto Carras' viticulture and winemaking operations.
• Black Sea Trade & Development Bank (BSTDB)minorOthers · 31 May 2019DKG Group was invited to and represented at the BSTDB's 20th anniversary celebration in Thessaloniki, indicating a business relationship with this international financial institution focused on the Black Sea region.
• PRIMA A.E.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019PRIMA A.E. hosted DKG Group's innovative presentation of the hydroponic method using Grodan rockwool substrates (June 2026), indicating a collaborative technical demonstration relationship.
• COMPO EXPERT GroupmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014TROPOS Branding provides strategic branding services for COMPO EXPERT's biostimulant product lines (Vitanica RZ, Basfoliar, Invelop) through the Keys2MyCrops project platform. The collaboration includes international expert podcasts and market positioning campaigns. Partnership duration is 8+ years.
• Plant Health Cure (PHC BV)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2013IQ CROPS distributes PHC products including the Harpiness technology (marketed as HALO PLUS and HALO PLUS AA), Plant Feed, Natural Green, and Biovin. After Den Ouden's acquisition of PHC, the partnership expanded to advanced composting solutions. Partnership duration is 8+ years.
• Korean ATEC (Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Collaboration with Korean ATEC and the Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services for agricultural technology development and distribution in South Korea.
• GRODAN Group (member of ROCKWOOL Group)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2009DKG Group serves as sales organisation and exclusive outsourcing partner for Grodan products in Greece, Cyprus, Balkan countries (Serbia, Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria), and Egypt effective from 1 January 2009. This 28+ year partnership is the group's most enduring and strategically important distribution relationship, covering rockwool substrate products and related hydroponic supplies.
• TUV HELLAS (TÜV NORD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008DKG Group was a co-founder of the TUV HELLAS AGRISYSTEMS Division, providing external lead auditing for Quality, Environment, and Agriculture standards, and serving as Lead Trainer on ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22000, GLOBALG.A.P., and AGRO standards. The partnership spans 20+ years.
• GLOBALG.A.P.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006The Askme® Translation and Localisation division of DKG Group officially translates GLOBALG.A.P. documents (related to Fruit and Vegetables Certification, Integrated Farm Assurance) into Greek. Executive Director Christos D. Katsanos serves as an official GLOBALG.A.P. public train-the-trainer. This 18+ year partnership has translated over 200,000 words of GLOBALG.A.P. documentation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• PRIVA: Dutch provider of climate, irrigation, and process control systems for horticulture and indoor farming. Comparable as a holistic greenhouse technology vendor that, like DKG, supports growers across the full production cycle.
• ROCKWOOL / Grodan: Global manufacturer of stone wool substrates and parent of Grodan, DKG's exclusive distribution partner. Comparable as the upstream supplier whose products DKG distributes; both firms share the same customer base of hydroponic greenhouse operators.
• Signify (Philips Horticulture LED): Global lighting leader with a dedicated horticulture LED solutions division serving greenhouse and vertical farming operators. Comparable as an established technology vendor serving the same controlled-environment agriculture customer base DKG advises.
• Ridder Group: Dutch supplier of greenhouse technology including screens, ventilation, watering systems, and climate computers. Comparable to DKG as a provider of integrated solutions for controlled-environment agriculture operators.

Others

• Landor & Fitch: Global branding and design consultancy. Comparable to DKG's TROPOS Branding Co as a brand strategy provider, though operating at vastly greater scale and serving enterprise clients rather than SMEs.
• COMPO EXPERT: Global manufacturer of specialty fertilizers and biostimulants for professional horticulture. Comparable as a TROPOS Branding client (Keys2MyCrops project) and an industry peer in the biostimulant segment where DKG has 30 years of expertise.

Emerging players

• Koppert: Dutch supplier of biological crop protection and natural pollination solutions. Comparable to DKG's IQ CROPS biostimulant and biological solutions distribution, particularly via PHC products like HALO PLUS.

Direct peers

• Hortus Supplies International: International supplier of hydroponic substrates, nutrients, and greenhouse inputs. Closely comparable to DKG's IQ CROPS distribution arm and its exclusive Grodan partnership, particularly for hydroponic vegetable growers.
• Royal Brinkman: Dutch horticultural supplier and consultant providing integrated inputs, technical advisory, and project support to greenhouse growers worldwide. Closely comparable to DKG in combining agricultural supplies distribution with consulting expertise, though at substantially larger scale.
• Delphy: Dutch agricultural advisory firm offering crop consultancy, training, and research services to greenhouse and open-field growers globally. Directly comparable to DKG Consulting's TGM®/TFM® advisory model and IRTC training offerings, though operating at much greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheDKGgroup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@troposfoodchannel8391/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/thedkggroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tropos-branding-co
• Instagraminstagram.com/tropos_branding

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The DKG Group