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Autonomous Advancement
Featuring Bonsai Robotics, TriC Robotics, Unitree, Rabobank, Carlyle, GreenLife, Grodan, Néboda, Nature’s Miracle, Square Roots, Biobest, Vestaron, Solynta, and NetZeroNitrogen.
Diletta Di Iorio
July 25, 2025
Good Morning Growers,
This week’s edition spotlights strategic acquisitions, funding momentum, and cross-sector innovations spanning agritech, plant science, and controlled environment agriculture. From autonomous robotics and UV-based pest control to biofertilizers, vertical farms, and integrated finance models—companies like Bonsai Robotics, TriC Robotics, Solynta, and GreenLife are advancing scalable, climate-aligned solutions to support growers, reduce inputs, and enhance food system resilience across regions and crop types.
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:
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AGRITECH & AGRIBUSINESS
AgTech & Agribusiness Highlights: New Initiative, Funding Round, & More!
Bonsai Robotics Acquires farm-ng to Expand Autonomous Farm Solutions
Bonsai Robotics has acquired farm-ng to merge AI autonomy with modular electric farm machinery.
The combined offering aims to deliver integrated robotics for growers and OEMs.
Leadership includes veterans from John Deere, OpenCV, and Bonsai.
The acquisition supports scalable, flexible automation across crops and regions.
TriC Robotics Raises $5.5M to Scale UV Pest Control Robots
TriC Robotics secured $5.5 million in Seed funding to grow its Luna robot fleet.
Luna uses UV light and vacuum technology to manage pests and reduce chemical use.
Robots are deployed across strawberry farms in California's Central Coast.
The funding will support geographic expansion, new hardware, and data capabilities.
Unitree Launches Affordable Field Monitoring Robots
Unitree Robotics is deploying low-cost quadruped robots in agriculture through institutional partnerships.
The Go2 robot uses edge computing and AI vision for real-time crop monitoring.
Priced from $1,600, the robots aim to reduce labor needs and attract younger farmers.
The initiative promotes scalable and intelligent field solutions.
Rabobank, DLL, and EIB Commit €1B to Sustainable Ag Finance
Rabobank and DLL have partnered with the European Investment Bank to provide €1 billion in funding.
Aimed at SMEs and agriculture, the funding includes climate and bioeconomy priorities.
Rabobank and DLL will each receive €250 million from EIB and match it with their own capital.The initiative targets sustainable growth across the Netherlands and nine EU countries.
Carlyle and FarmOp Capital Sign $250M Lending Agreement
Carlyle agreed to purchase $250 million in newly issued farm operating loans from FarmOp Capital.
The deal expands FarmOp’s ability to lend to independent U.S. row crop farmers.
Funding will support loan origination capacity and new agricultural finance products.
The partnership addresses gaps in traditional financing options for producers.
Excited to join the agri-food industry’s top minds at Reuters Events: Transform Food & Agriculture USA 2025 in Minneapolis!
With global food systems under pressure, this event brings together 200 senior leaders to share insights, spark partnerships, and drive practical solutions.
Can’t wait to hear from leaders like Sonya Gafsi Oblisk (Whole Foods), Florian Schattenmann (Cargill), Racquel Harris Mason (LIPTON), Heather Anfang (Land O'Lakes), and Claire Babineaux-Fontenot (Feeding America).
If you're working toward a more sustainable and resilient food future, this is where it starts.
Learn more here.
PLANT SCIENCE
Plant Science Updates: Acquisition, Funding Round & More!
Biobest Expands IPM Capabilities with Ecoation Acquisition
Biobest has acquired Ecoation’s Crop-Scanner™ and OKO 2 tools to expand its IPM automation portfolio.
The tools enhance Biobest’s high-tech pest and yield monitoring systems.
Ecoation staff will join Biobest’s High-Tech Development and Customer Success Center.
The acquisition strengthens Biobest’s position in smart crop protection.
Vestaron Gains Emergency Use Approval in Southern Europe
Vestaron secured EUAs for its bioinsecticide SPEAR LEP in Greece, Italy, and Portugal.
The 120-day authorizations help address pest resistance and pesticide availability gaps.
The approvals were driven by grower advocacy and regulatory collaboration.
SPEAR LEP is positioned as a sustainable pest control option for European growers.
Solynta Secures €20M for True Potato Seed Expansion
Dutch biotech Solynta received €20 million in venture debt from the EIB to accelerate TPS deployment.
The non-GMO hybrid potato seeds reduce input needs and improve disease resistance.
The funding supports EU goals for food security and climate resilience under InvestEU.
Solynta’s innovation aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
NetZeroNitrogen Raises €5.6M for Biofertilizer Development
UK-based NetZeroNitrogen raised €5.6 million to scale its endophytic bacteria-based biofertilizer.
The product aims to reduce synthetic nitrogen use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Investors include World Fund, Azolla Ventures, and Zero Carbon Capital.
The solution targets improved soil health and climate-positive farming practices.
CEA
CEA Updates: New Initiative, Partnership & More!
Kuwait’s First Aeroponic Farm Launches with GreenLife and CleanGreens
The system uses 96% less water than traditional farming and 60% less than hydroponics.
The project was built in two years and became the first GAP-certified farm in the GCC in 2024.
GreenLife’s market research guided product development; expansion plans are underway.
Néboda Raises €1.84M to Advance Vertical Farming Tech
Spanish startup Néboda raised €1.84 million to expand its vertical farming system.
The company focuses on basil production using hydroponics, automation, and computer vision.
The system reportedly delivers over 90% water savings and reduces environmental impact.
Funding will support business validation and sales partnerships with Iberian distributors.
Square Roots Japan Launches Sage AI Assistant for CEA
Square Roots Japan introduced Sage, an AI assistant for indoor farmers.
Integrated into the Farmer Toolbelt OS, Sage provides real-time task-specific support.
Developed using AWS Bedrock and in-house data, Sage replaces static guides with conversational AI.
The launch marks Square Roots’ first major step in AI-enabled CEA operations.
CE-Line Declares Bankruptcy Amid Commercial Hurdles
Dutch greenhouse sensor company CE-Line B.V. was declared bankrupt on July 23, 2025. The company specialized in real-time nutrient monitoring for horticulture.
CE-Line struggled with delayed commercialization, international trade challenges, and financial pressures.
Despite holding a 15% stake, investors Horticoop and Yield Lab Europe were unable to prevent closure.
Bankruptcy trustee Bas van Dijen is assessing possibilities for a potential restart with interested parties.
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OTHER NEWS
Other Updates: New Initiative, Funding Round & More!
The African Development Bank has approved a €100 million loan to support Morocco’s solidarity-based agriculture program. The initiative focuses on empowering women and youth in rural areas, promoting entrepreneurship and food security. The program aligns with Morocco’s Green Generation 2020–2030 Strategy and national goals for youth and agricultural development.
EmGenisys closed an oversubscribed $1.5 million seed funding round led by Grit Road Partners. Investors include Tall Grass Ventures and Ag Venture Alliance, Funding will support commercialization of EmVision, an AI platform for real-time embryo evaluation
The John Innes Centre is among 12 UK institutions selected to receive funding from the £54 million Global Talent Fund. The funding is intended to support recruitment of international researchers in sectors aligned with the UK’s Industrial Strategy. The John Innes Centre will focus on Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Digital and Technologies.
DTN introduces a new enterprise platform for decision-making in volatile environments. Platform integrates AI, sector-specific data, and real-time insights for key industries. Features hubs tailored for agriculture, fuel operations, and weather-sensitive sectors.
Provectus Algae secures US$10.1M in Series A financing and US$2.5M in Australian government grants. Funding will support scaling of Surf’N’Turf®, an algae-based livestock feed that reduces methane emissions. Backers include At One Ventures, Methane Mitigation, Mort & Co, Hitachi Ventures, and others.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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