Agri Momentum

Good Morning, Growers.
This week’s edition spotlights major investments, global partnerships, and emerging technologies shaping the future of agriculture. From AI-powered pollination and real-time nutrient sensing to regulatory breakthroughs and greenhouse automation, explore the latest innovations from companies like Gripp, DeHaat, Beewise, TerraBlaster, Biotalys, LettUs Grow, and many more.

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:

1. AgTech Highlights: Acquisition, New Initiatives, Funding Round & More!

2. Lukas Koch on the Next Frontier for UAVs in Agriculture

3. Plant Science Updates: Expansion, Regulatory Advancement & More!

4. CEA Updates: New Tech, Partnerships & More!

5. Other Updates: Partnerships, Acquisition, Funding & More!

6. Upcoming AgTech Events, Conferences & Webinars

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.

🚀 Now Live: 2025 European Indoor Farming Report

We’re excited to announce the release of our 2025 European Indoor Farming Report, developed in partnership with Grow-tec, Würth Elektronik Group, and the AVF Summit powered by VertiFarm.

This edition explores market consolidation, emerging technologies, and investment trends shaping the future of indoor farming across Europe — featuring insights from leading industry voices.

📥 Download the full report here

AGRITECH
AgTech Highlights: Funding Round, Acquisition, New Initiatives, & More!

Gripp Raises Pre-Seed Funding

• Gripp, a mobile-first agricultural operations platform, secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding.

• The round was led by Ag Ventures Alliance, with participation from other agtech investors. The funding will support market expansion and accelerated product development.

• Gripp’s QR-enabled mobile platform digitizes farm workflows and tracks equipment.

DeHaat Acquires NEERX

• DeHaat acquired NEERX, a precision agriculture and soil intelligence platform.

• The acquisition includes NEERX’s ISRO-validated SHOOL sensor and cloud analytics platform.

• NEERX founders Nikita and Harsh Agrawal will join DeHaat to support integration and deployment. The move is expected to scale NEERX’s technology across DeHaat’s pan-India operations.

Beewise Secures $50M Series D to Scale AI-Powered Pollination Tech

• Beewise has raised $50 million in Series D funding to expand its BeeHome™ system. BeeHome™ combines AI and solar-powered robotics to monitor and care for bee colonies.

• The funding will support global scale-up of the pollination technology.

• Beewise currently operates 1,240 BeeHomes and has raised nearly $170 million to date.

The Reservoir Invests in TerraBlaster for Real-Time Nutrient Sensing

• The Reservoir has invested in TerraBlaster, a precision nutrient sensing startup. TerraBlaster uses Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for high-resolution, real-time nutrient mapping.

• The technology aims to address nitrogen inefficiencies and reduce nutrient runoff in agriculture.

• The investment supports The Reservoir’s focus on impactful deep tech in agriculture. Aligns with broader initiatives such as Reservoir Farms in Salinas, California.

American AgCredit and Partners Launch Seed4Growth Innovation Program

• American AgCredit and Farm Credit Partners have launched Seed4Growth in collaboration with Plug and Play. The program is designed to drive digital transformation in agricultural lending and financial services.

• Focuses on leveraging emerging technologies and startup solutions in FinTech and AgTech.

• Aims to enhance services for farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses.

INTERVIEW
Lukas Koch on the Next Frontier for UAVs in Agriculture

• Lukas Koch, CEO of Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems tell us that UAVs are increasingly being adopted for agricultural spraying, data collection, and emergency logistics.

• Key barriers to large-scale UAV deployment include flight duration, payload capacity, and regulatory complexity.

• Farmers are growing more receptive to drone technologies, especially when peer networks validate their performance.

• Integration with data systems and precision tools is key to making UAVs actionable and ROI-driven.

Read the entire conversation here.

PLANT SCIENCE
Plant Science Updates: Expansion, Regulatory Advancement & More!

STARFISH Bioscience Maps Microbiomes in Bordeaux Vineyards

• STARFISH Bioscience has developed the first bacterial genome atlas for vineyard soils in Bordeaux.

• The database includes over 10,000 bacterial genomes and 40 million genes.

• Enables AI-powered analysis to assess microbial functions and detect soil disruptions.

• Supports EU soil regeneration policies and biostimulant market growth.

• Expansion is planned to map functional microbiomes across other European terroirs.

Biotalys Advances Regulatory Path for EVOCA™ Biocontrol

• Biotalys is progressing regulatory approvals for its EVOCA™ biocontrol product in the U.S. and EU.

• Dutch authorities recommended EU approval for EVOCA’s active ingredient.

• EVOCA, based on the AGROBODY™ platform, targets fungal pathogens like Botrytis and powdery mildew.

• A U.S. EPA decision is expected by Q3 2025; EU approval is anticipated by H2 2026.

Phytoform and Corteva Partner on AI-Powered Disease Resistance in Corn

• Phytoform and Corteva have launched a joint study on AI-driven disease resistance traits in corn. Phytoform’s CRE.AI.TIVE™ system will be combined with Corteva’s Genlytix™ platform.

• The research focuses on variations in DNA control regions influencing disease tolerance.

• The collaboration aims to accelerate trait discovery and crop improvement timelines.

Cibus Receives USDA Approval for Herbicide Tolerance Trait in Canola

• Cibus, Inc. has received non-regulated status from USDA-APHIS for its HT2 herbicide tolerance trait in canola.

• The trait was developed using Cibus' RTDS® (Rapid Trait Development System) technology.

• Aims to enhance weed control and address herbicide resistance in canola crops. Part of a broader pipeline of herbicide tolerance and agronomic traits.

• The designation supports Cibus’ U.S. and international expansion, promoting agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Ostara Launches CG P2X Phosphorus Fertilizer in Western Canada

• Ostara has introduced CG P2X, a phosphorus fertilizer designed to double phosphorus use efficiency.

• The product offers a root-activated, seed-safe source of phosphorus to reduce soil tie-up and nutrient loss.

• Aims to improve nutrient efficiency and crop production outcomes.

• Taurus Agricultural Marketing Inc. is the exclusive distributor in Western Canada. Distribution includes agronomic training and technical support for retailers and growers.

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE
CEA Updates: New Tech, Partnerships & More!

LettUs Grow and HT Verboom Partner to Scale Aeroponics in Greenhouses

• LettUs Grow has formed a strategic partnership with Dutch firm HT Verboom.

• The partnership integrates Advanced Aeroponics™ with rolling bench infrastructure for commercial greenhouses.

• Aims to accelerate system deployment by combining crop production and engineering expertise.

• Supports the UK-Netherlands Agri-Horti Mission to GreenTech 2025 to promote innovation and trade in horticultural tech.

Water Garden Farms, Siemens, and CEAd Launch Solar-Powered Indoor Farm

• Water Garden Farms announced a partnership with Siemens and CEAd to build a 500,000 sq. ft. indoor farm in West Virginia.

• The facility will produce 35 million packaged salad units annually using fewer resources than field farming. Uses Siemens Xcelerator and digiCEAd platform for digital twin modeling and AI-driven analytics.

• Aims to enhance food security, lower costs, and reduce environmental impact through a decentralized farming model.

Sollum Technologies and Optimal Collaborate on AI-Greenhouse Automation

• Sollum Technologies partnered with Optimal to advance AI-based greenhouse climate and irrigation management.

• The system enables real-time adjustments in lighting, irrigation, and climate control. Designed to improve yield, quality, and energy efficiency while reducing labor needs.

• Compatible with existing greenhouse systems, offering seamless integration and operational enhancement.

TTA ISO Debuts HarvAI® Tomato Harvesting Robot

• TTA ISO introduced HarvAI®, an AI-powered robot for tomato harvesting in greenhouses. Capable of harvesting 450 vines per hour and integrates with standard heating rails.

• Commercial launch is expected in early 2026. Demonstration during the Tomato Tech Innovation Summit, included Artechno’s propagation unit, which showed 2–6 days faster growth and improved crop uniformity.

• Highlights ongoing innovation to address labor, food safety, and crop consistency challenges in the sector.

Innovation Agritech Group Expands Operations and Global Reach

• Innovation Agritech Group is expanding its operations, with increased activity in the Middle East. The company is scaling recruitment across commercial delivery, research, and engineering functions.

• New roles include Founders Associate, Business Development Executive, Sales Manager, Mechanical Design Engineer, and Plant Scientist.

• The expansion supports growing global demand for sustainable agriculture solutions.

OTHER NEWS
Other Updates: Partnerships, Acquisition, Funding & More!

• MACSO and Unigen announce a partnership to bring edge AI technology to livestock farms. Combined solution integrates MACSO’s sensory AI with Unigen’s Poundcake AI inference server. Enables early detection of illness in swine herds and reduces reliance on Cloud connectivity. Aims to improve animal health outcomes, reduce mortality, and support sustainable livestock practices.

• The Quebec government has committed $3 million to support agriculture and agrotourism initiatives. Funding will focus on greenhouse development and direct market support. Aims to enhance food autonomy and promote short supply chains and agrotourism. Targeted toward businesses in proximity agriculture and horticulture, especially those expanding greenhouse operations or on-farm sales infrastructure.

• Rovero Systems announces acquisition of Polybow as part of broader expansion strategy. Retiring Polybow owner Ad van Bekhoven confirms transition will maintain service continuity. The move reinforces Rovero Systems’ role in the polytunnel and fruit covering market.

• The Canadian and Saskatchewan governments announced $1.4 million in joint funding. The funding supports 38 agricultural projects through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The goal is to promote on-farm innovation, sustainability, and adoption of new technologies in Saskatchewan’s agri-food sector.

• Innovation Agritech Group is scaling operations and increasing international activity, particularly in the Middle East. Recruitment focuses on commercial delivery, research, and engineering roles.: The initiative supports IAG’s continued growth across agri-tech projects and collaborations.

• WayBeyond has deployed its FarmRoad platform within Costa Group’s Variety Improvement Program (VIP), focused on blueberry R&D. This marks FarmRoad’s first integration into Costa’s breeding operations, expanding from prior use on commercial farms in Morocco, India, and Laos. The platform will support data-driven decisions on variety performance across diverse trial sites.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Commercial UAV Expo | September 2-4, 2025 | Las Vegas, USA

Taiwan Smart Agriweek | September 3-5, 2025 | Taiwan

Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 | 10th – 11th September, 2025 | Dubai, UAE

SPACE | September 16 – 18, 2025 | France

AgraME | October 6 – 7, 2025 | Dubai

Vertical Farming World Congress | Oct 7-9, 2025 | Amsterdam

Special Thanks to Our Directory Members

Established Plan:
SpectraGrow, LettUs Grow, Harvest Returns, Women in CEA, Harnois Greenhouses, Verde Compacto

Scale-Up Plan:
Sollum Technologies, Babylon Micro-Farms, Ounce of Hope Aquaponics, Grow-Tec

Not listed yet? Add your company to the directory and start getting noticed!