Innovation Capital

Featuring updates from Orchard Robotics, CropX, Merced AgTech Alliance, Land O’Lakes, UC ANR, Zone Agtech, NRGene Green, Redox Bio-Nutrients, Loveland Products, SynTech Research, Stepan Company, Bushel Plus, and AmplifiedAg.

Author

Diletta Di Iorio
September 05, 2025

Good morning, growers,

This week’s digest features developments across AI crop tools, sustainability-focused inputs, and agtech infrastructure. Orchard Robotics raises $22 million to advance precision farming technologies, while CropX expands its platform through the acquisition of Acclym. NRGene Green reports field trial results showing clubroot immunity in canola, and Bushel Plus introduces modular concaves designed to improve harvest efficiency and reduce grain loss.

Public and private investment initiatives continue to grow. The Merced AgTech Alliance secures $9.2 million to develop a regional hub in California’s Central Valley, and UC ANR receives $15.1 million to build a statewide ag innovation network. Land O’Lakes launches a cooperative-led investment program, and Zone Agtech partners with FCC to expand technology adoption and international reach.

Additional updates include Redox Bio-Nutrients receiving biostimulant certification, AmplifiedAg launching vertical farming projects in correctional facilities, and a new partnership between SynTech and Stepan to support product development in crop protection and biologicals.

And, a warm welcome to our new iGrow Network members. We’re glad to have you on board and look forward to keeping you updated on the latest innovations, opportunities, and trends in AgTech. Not a member yet? Register now to join the network.

What We Are Covering Today:

Estimated Reading Time: 6 - 7 minutes

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

Orchard Robotics Raises $22M to Grow AI Farming Tools

  • Orchard Robotics secured $22 million in Series A funding, bringing its total raised to over $25 million.

  • The round was led by Quiet Capital and Shine Capital, with participation from General Catalyst and Contrary.

  • The company develops AI-powered tools for precision crop management, currently used in apple and grape farms.

  • Expansion is planned for other crops, including blueberries, cherries, and almonds.

  • The new funding will support team expansion and the opening of a new office in San Francisco. Orchard Robotics aims to close the data gap in agriculture and advance AI-driven farming globally.

CropX Acquires Acclym to Boost ESG and Sustainability Data

  • CropX Technologies acquired Acclym (formerly Agritask), marking its seventh strategic acquisition.

  • The acquisition expands CropX’s capabilities into enterprise-level agricultural intelligence.

  • Acclym brings 15 years of experience and technology deployed across millions of hectares. Its platform helps convert field-level data into actionable insights for sustainability and ESG goals.

  • The integration aims to support global food and beverage companies in tracking ESG metrics, reducing supply chain risk, and promoting regenerative agriculture.

Merced AgTech Alliance Secures $9.2M for Central Valley Innovation

  • The Merced AgTech Alliance has received $9.2 million from California Jobs First, the largest state investment in agtech to date.

  • The initiative aims to create over 3,000 jobs, support more than 100 startups, and offer 250 internships in California’s Central Valley.

  • Key projects include the Merced College AgTech Innovation Center (workforce development), the UC Merced AgTech Barn (research and skills training), and Reservoir Farms (startup incubation).

  • The effort is a public-private partnership involving over 40 industry organizations.

  • The goal is to position the Central Valley as a global center for agtech innovation and build economic resilience through modern food systems.

Land O’Lakes Launches AgTech Investment Program

  • Land O’Lakes launched AgRogue Growth Partners, a cooperative-led initiative to support agtech startups.

  • The program will invest up to $7 million per partner in 10 to 15 companies focused on crop inputs, ag data, and supply chain innovation.

  • It aims to accelerate technology adoption by leveraging trusted relationships between co-ops and farmers.

  • Radicle Growth will manage the program and support selected startups globally.

UC ANR to Build Statewide Ag Innovation Network

  • UC ANR Innovate received $15.1 million from California Jobs First to create a statewide agricultural innovation network.

  • The initiative will connect nine food-producing regions to promote technology adoption and entrepreneurship.

  • It will include a central hub, startup support programs, and workforce development in areas such as robotics, automation, drones, and data science.

  • Over five years, the network aims to support 200 agtech startups, train 1,500 individuals, and create over 2,000 jobs.

  • Program implementation is expected to begin in late 2025.

Zone Agtech and FCC Partner to Support Quebec AgTech

  • Zone Agtech and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) have entered a three-year strategic partnership to advance agtech in Quebec.

  • The AgXis Acceleration Program will help Quebec-based producers and agri-food companies adopt new technologies and strengthen the local ecosystem.

  • The Go Global: Quebec Scale-Up Program, co-developed with SVG Ventures | THRIVE, will support international expansion for high-growth agtech companies.

  • SVG Ventures | THRIVE will also establish a satellite office within Zone Agtech to boost global connectivity for Quebec firms.

PLANT SCIENCE
Plant Science Updates: New Initiative, Innovation & More!

NRGene Green Reports Clubroot Immunity in Canola Trials

  • NRGene Green announced field trial results showing complete immunity to clubroot in its canola donor lines.

  • In 2025 trials, these lines recorded 0% infection under high pathogen pressure, compared to 74–85% infection in current industry-resistant varieties.

  • The resistance trait was developed in Canada using AI-driven genomics and naturally occurring resistance genes, without genetic modification.

  • The trait offers potential long-term value for the $43.7 billion global canola market.

  • Resistant lines and associated markers are now available for global licensing to plant breeders.

Redox Bio-Nutrients’ Mainstay Calcium 2.0 Earns Biostimulant Certification

  • Mainstay Calcium 2.0 by Redox Bio-Nutrients has received the TFI Certified Biostimulant label.

  • The certification recognizes compliance with U.S. Biostimulant Industry Guidelines for efficacy, safety, and composition.

  • It is intended to support product confidence among manufacturers, ag retailers, and growers.

  • The certification encourages informed decision-making and supports adoption of sustainable agriculture practices.

Loveland Products Launches Concentrated Residue Management Input

  • Loveland Products has introduced Extract® XC, a concentrated version of its existing Extract PBA product line.

  • The new formulation requires half the application rate per acre compared to the original product.

  • Extract XC is designed to improve residue breakdown, enhancing the release of nitrogen and sulfur from crop residues.

  • The product aims to increase fertilizer efficiency and support yield potential.

  • It can be applied with fall burndown or liquid fertilizers, reducing field passes and promoting nutrient cycling for soil health.

SynTech and Stepan Partner to Expand Formulation Services

  • SynTech Research Group and Stepan Company have formed a strategic partnership focused on Stepan’s Advanced Formulation Services (AFS) in North America.

  • The collaboration combines SynTech’s expertise in regulation, lab testing, and field research with Stepan’s formulation and scale-up capabilities.

  • The joint platform will offer clients end-to-end development support for crop protection and biological products.

  • The goal is to streamline product development from concept to commercialization and support innovation in sustainable agriculture.

  • Both companies plan to promote the expanded services through industry events and digital outreach

AGRIBUSINESS AND CEA
AgriBusiness & CEA Updates: New Initiatives & More!

Bushel Plus Introduces O-Grate MAD Concaves to U.S. Market

  • Bushel Plus has launched its O-Grate MAD Concaves in the United States, targeting improved harvest efficiency and reduced grain loss.

  • The company cites outdated concave systems as a contributor to yield loss, cracked kernels, and poor threshing performance.

  • The new system features O-shaped holes and staircase-style threshing bars for gentler grain separation and higher efficiency.

  • A modular design enables farmers to swap inserts for different crops in 10–15 minutes, minimizing downtime.

  • The concaves are compatible with major combine models from Case IH, John Deere, Fendt, and New Holland.

  • According to the company, the technology supports better throughput, crop quality, and profitability.

AmplifiedAg Launches Vertical Farms in U.S. Correctional Facilities

  • AmplifiedAg is expanding its controlled environment agriculture (CEA) initiatives into correctional facilities in South Carolina and California.

  • The projects, developed in partnership with Impact Justice and Skout Strategy, aim to improve food access and provide job training for incarcerated individuals. The South Carolina Department of Corrections is preparing for the first vertical farm harvest within a U.S. prison, with an expected annual yield of 48,000 pounds of leafy greens.

  • In California, vertical farm kits have been deployed at the Central California Women’s Facility, allowing participants to assemble and operate the systems.

  • These initiatives align with AmplifiedAg’s broader mission to integrate food security and workforce development in underserved communities.

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OTHER NEWS
Other Updates: New Initiative, New Program & More!

  • UC Merced will use $3 million in state funding to build an agricultural technology barn at its Smart Farm.The barn will function as a research and development space within UC Merced’s Agriculture Experimentation Station. The funding is part of $80 million announced by Governor Gavin Newsom to support 11 projects across California. Nearly $29 million of the total is directed toward ag tech and farm equipment initiatives to strengthen workforce development and infrastructure.

  • MyEasyFarm to provide the MRV (Measure, Report, Verify) platform for the Gaïago Carbon Program. The program is the world’s first Soil Organic Carbon Framework certified by Gold Standard. Nearly 50,000 hectares across Europe are already committed to carbon sequestration efforts.

  • u-blox has extended its PointPerfect Flex (PPP-RTK) correction services into Argentina and Paraguay, building on existing coverage in Brazil. The service delivers centimeter-level positioning accuracy for agriculture, drones, surveying, and mapping, without the need for new base station infrastructure. PointPerfect Flex supports both SPARTN and RTCM formats, enabling compatibility with a wide range of GNSS receivers.

  • Sabanto partnered with Yirsa Farms in Montana to deploy an autonomous seeding system for wheat. The farm repurposed existing mid-horsepower tractors and drills, retrofitting them with Sabanto’s autonomy technology. The system seeded 872 acres while achieving an average of $6.27 per acre, compared to $18.88/acre with traditional large machinery.

  • National Geographic Society and PepsiCo announced a joint initiative called Food for Tomorrow. The program will highlight regenerative agriculture through science, storytelling, and education. National Geographic Explorers and scientists will lead projects supported by imagery, narratives, and applied research.

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