Four Growers, a pioneering agtech robotics company, has raised $9 million in a Series A funding round led by Basset Capital, with participation from Ospraie Ag Science, Y Combinator, and other key investors. This funding will propel the production of its flagship GR-100 robotic harvester and expand the company’s global reach across Europe, North America, and Oceania. The announcement signals a major leap in the $40 billion indoor farming market, addressing labor shortages, rising costs, and food waste with groundbreaking technology.
Transforming Greenhouse Agriculture with the GR-100
At the heart of Four Growers’ innovation is the GR-100, an autonomous tomato-harvesting robot that’s setting new benchmarks in efficiency and precision for greenhouse farming. The GR-100 boasts:
- 5x faster picking speeds than competitors, harvesting up to 43 kilograms per hour of cherry and grape tomatoes.
- 98% ripeness detection accuracy, powered by eight stereo cameras and advanced AI.
- 34x faster pathfinding than standard motion planning algorithms, ensuring optimal harvesting paths.
The GR-100 adapts seamlessly to most greenhouse environments, requiring little to no facility modifications, and integrates robust plant analytics for comprehensive yield insights. With features like 24/7 operation, remote monitoring dashboards, and an automated packing cart capable of handling up to 246 kilograms in one session, the GR-100 is redefining what’s possible in greenhouse crop management.
Tackling Global Challenges in Agriculture
For decades, crops like wheat and soy have benefited from automation, driving down costs and boosting production. However, fruits and vegetables, which demand precise handling and skilled labor, have lagged behind. This disparity has led to harvesting costs being up to 15x higher for fruits and vegetables. Compounding the issue, labor shortages often leave crops unharvested, exacerbating food waste.
“While we’ve started with greenhouse tomatoes, which account for 50% of all the fresh tomatoes consumed in the US, our technology has now proven its potential in other crops like cucumbers and will be applied to all fruits and vegetables in both greenhouses and fields,” said Brandon Contino, CEO of Four Growers. “Securing this funding enables us to accelerate the integration of our AI and robotics into agriculture, improving global food production and ensuring sustainable, high-quality, and affordable produce is available for everyone.”
Proven Impact and Growing Market Potential
Four Growers’ technology is already making an impact, with millions of tomatoes harvested and sold through grocery stores worldwide. Partnering with agricultural leaders like Syngenta Vegetable Seeds, the company has demonstrated the scalability and reliability of its AI-powered solutions across customer farms in North America and Europe.
The indoor farming market, valued at $40.51 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.3% through 2033, according to a study by Fact.MR. This rapid growth underscores the increasing demand for innovative farming solutions amidst labor shortages and operational challenges.
A Visionary Team Backed by Industry Leaders
Founded in Pittsburgh, Four Growers emerged from Y Combinator in 2018 with a vision to revolutionize farming through robotics. Since its inception, the company has secured over $15 million in total funding and eight-figure contracts, thanks to strategic backing from investors such as Better Food Ventures, Taver Capital, Xplorer Capital, and Pete Wurman, co-founder of Kiva Systems.
“From the outset, it was apparent that the Four Growers team had made significant advancements in solving long-standing issues in the agriculture sector,” said John Overbeck of Basset Capital. “Implementation of robotics and AI in agriculture will provide a great opportunity to enhance operations and significantly increase productivity. We are confident that Four Growers will continue to be a leader in this effort.”
Looking Ahead: Scaling Innovation for Global Impact
With this latest funding, Four Growers aims to:
- Accelerate production of the GR-100.
- Expand its research and development efforts.
- Deploy its technology across more regions, focusing on Europe, North America, and Oceania.
Beyond tomatoes, the company plans to adapt its technology to other greenhouse crops like cucumbers and peppers, with ambitions to address field-grown crops in the future. By combining robotics, AI, and advanced analytics, Four Growers is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable, efficient farming solutions.
A Future of Affordable, Sustainable Food
Four Growers’ mission to provide healthy, affordable, and locally sourced produce through robotics is reshaping agriculture. By reducing production costs and food waste, the company is paving the way for a future where nutritious and sustainable food is accessible to everyone.
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