Harvest Horizons

Featuring Planet Labs, Farmdar, Saga Robotics, Bitwise Agronomy, Fotenix, INNOFarms.AI, Skyfield AgriTech, Evogene, ICL Group, Wilbur-Ellis, Above Food, Pivot Bio, Qore, Hort Americas, Hortiplan, Artechno Growsystems, and more.

Author

Diletta Di Iorio
July 11, 2025

Good Morning Growers,
This week’s edition spotlights strategic partnerships, cutting-edge crop input launches, and scalable innovations in controlled environment agriculture. From satellite-driven crop insights and microbial nitrogen solutions to AI-enabled propagation systems and asset-based financing, discover how companies like Planet Labs, Farmdar, Saga Robotics, Fotenix, Pivot Bio, Wilbur-Ellis, Hort Americas, Above Food, and more are shaping the future of agtech and agribusiness.

A heartfelt thank you to all our new members for joining the iGrow Network – we’re excited to have you on board and look forward to sharing the latest innovations and updates with you! Instant access here!

What We Are Covering Today:

Estimated Reading Time: 6 - 7 minutes

🎧 Prefer listening over reading?

Catch the full recap on this week’s AgTech Digest Podcast—available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform. here.

🌍 Global Meet & Greet Highlights: From the Americas to Asia-Pacific

The iGrow Network launched its first multi-continent Meet & Greet with sessions across the Americas and Asia-Pacific. In the Americas, conversations centered around wildfire recovery through native plant integration, the use of AI as a comprehensive farm advisor, and innovative models for growing strawberries in existing infrastructure with reduced capital costs. Participants discussed financial advisory gaps in farming, challenges in indoor farm economics, and emerging licensing models aimed at expanding local food production.

In the Asia-Pacific session, key topics included barriers to tech adoption in traditional farming, the role of education in shaping future growers, circular economy practices using agricultural waste, and the importance of global cooperation to address policy gaps and resource scarcity. Both sessions highlighted the need for smarter, inclusive, and sustainable food system strategies.

Interested in joining our next meet & greet? make sure you join our network here.

AGRITECH
AgTech Highlights: Partnership, Funding Round, & More!

Planet Labs & Farmdar Partnership

  • Planet Labs signed a six-figure agreement with Singapore-based Farmdar.

  • The deal provides Farmdar with enhanced access to PlanetScope satellite imagery and base maps.

  • The collaboration focuses on strengthening AI-powered crop insights, especially for sugarcane.

  • Goals include advancing precision agriculture, supporting sustainability targets, and reducing operational risks globally.

Saga Robotics, Bitwise Agronomy & Chambers Farm Collaboration

Fotenix Funding Round

INNOFarms.AI & Skyfield AgriTech Strategic Partnership

Miraterra Acquires Trace Genomics Assets

  • Miraterra has acquired Trace Genomics’ intellectual property, product portfolio, and an analytical lab in Ames, Iowa.

  • The acquisition enhances Miraterra’s measurement capabilities across the soil-to-food spectrum.

  • Trace’s DNA-based soil biology platform will be integrated with Miraterra’s Raman spectroscopy technology.

  • The Ames lab will remain operational, supporting legacy customers and expanding service offerings.

INTERVIEW

Julia Erftemeijer Presents AVF+ Propagation Findings at TomatoTech Summit

  • Artechno Growsystems released performance data for its AVF+ system, targeting improved tomato plant propagation.

  • The system shortens propagation timelines and increases success in germination, graft healing, and pinching stages.

  • AVF+ is available in modular configurations (Freestyler, Fusion, Compact) to suit various facility sizes and layouts.

  • Sustainability benefits include 12–16% reduction in input materials, fewer chemical applications, and enhanced integration of biocontrol methods.

  • The system is designed to help growers achieve consistency, efficiency, and reduced production waste.

PLANT SCIENCE & AGRIBUSINESS
Plant Science Updates: New Initiative, Funding Round & More!

Evogene Divests Lavie Bio to ICL Group

  • Evogene completed the sale of its ag-biologicals subsidiary, Lavie Bio, to ICL Group Ltd. The deal includes Lavie Bio’s technology platforms, microbial assets, and personnel.

  • Evogene also transferred its MicroBoost AI for Agriculture platform to ICL.

  • The transaction supports Evogene’s strategic focus on maximizing value across its subsidiaries.

  • ICL strengthens its innovation pipeline and sustainability capabilities through the acquisition.

Wilbur-Ellis Secures $550M Credit Facility Arranged by White Oak

Above Food to Acquire Palm Global Technologies

  • Above Food signed a Letter of Intent to acquire Palm Global Technologies Ltd. for ~$180 million.

  • The deal includes a 30% stake in Palm Promax Investments, linked to U.S.-based gold-backed assets valued at $350 billion.

  • The acquisition enables Above Food to enter asset tokenization, stablecoin issuance, and digital currency partnerships.

  • The merger aims to expand operations across agritech, fintech, and blockchain-enabled services.

  • Leadership will combine expertise from agritech, blockchain, finance, and infrastructure sectors.

Pivot Bio Partners with Aurora Cooperative

Qore Launches QIRA® Bio-Based Chemical Production

CEA
CEA Updates: New Initiative, Partnership & More!

Hort Americas & Hortiplan Expand Mobile Gully Systems in North America

  • Hort Americas has partnered with Belgium-based Hortiplan to expand Mobile Gully Systems (MGS) in North American greenhouses.

  • The collaboration targets automation and scalability for leafy greens and herb production in controlled environments.

  • Hort Americas will provide regional sales, technical support, and after-sales service across the US, Canada, and Mexico.

  • The partnership supports sustainable production practices and operational efficiency. Key goals include improving labor efficiency, enhancing crop quality, and enabling scalable, sustainable growth for commercial growers.

Growcer to Acquire Freight Farms' Assets

  • Growcer won the bid to acquire Freight Farms’ assets for $2.6 million, with the transaction expected to close by July 2025.

  • The acquisition includes software, IP, inventory, manufacturing blueprints, and support infrastructure.

  • Growcer aims to ensure continuity for Freight Farms’ global grower community.

  • The move supports Growcer’s ongoing mission to advance local food production.

DENSO Acquires Axia Vegetable Seeds

  • DENSO has acquired Netherlands-based Axia Vegetable Seeds, known for high-yield tomato varieties for greenhouses.

  • The acquisition aligns with DENSO’s expansion into agricultural technology and controlled-environment farming.

  • The partnership will integrate DENSO’s industrial and AI technologies with Axia’s seed breeding capabilities. Efforts will focus on developing seeds suited for automated cultivation and climate resilience.

  • The move supports DENSO’s goal of advancing sustainable global food production systems.

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OTHER NEWS
Other Updates: New Inititative, Partnership, Funding Round & More!

  • Windfall Bio launches field trial of its mem-based biocover at Republic Services’ Sunshine Canyon Landfill in California. Natural soil microbes (mems) are applied to landfill cover to reduce methane, VOCs, and odor-causing compounds. The pilot aims to improve local air quality and reduce landfill-related climate impacts

  • MYGroup has partnered with insect genetics company Beta Bugs to supply Black Soldier Fly (BSF) eggs for its Insectology™ food waste treatment process. A new in-house BSF breeding and hatching facility will be established at MYGroup’s site in South Milford, UK. The agreement ensures a consistent supply of high-quality BSF eggs and neonates, completing MYGroup’s end-to-end bioconversion system.

  • GrubMarket introduces a specialized Inventory Management AI Agent to streamline inventory processes for food wholesalers and distributors. The new agent is part of GrubAssist AI, the company’s enterprise AI platform. It automates tasks like restocking, shelf-life management, and pricing adjustments using agentic workflows.

  • Antler Bio raises $4.3 million to expand EpiHerd, a gene expression-based system for dairy farming. Funding led by The First Thirty Ventures, with participation from Endgame Capital and Generation-RE. EpiHerd helps farmers detect stress and nutritional issues in cows, boosting milk yield and quality. Deployed across over 100 farms in the UK, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.

  • BeeHero launches its third season in Australia with expanded pollination services and pre-pollination reporting. The company now operates across 70,000 acres, supporting key crops including almonds, canola, macadamia, avocado, berries, and kiwifruit. New pre-pollination reports aim to improve transparency and preparedness amid rising varroa mite concerns.

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