Major Split

Featuring YLI, Terra Robotics, Aydi, SwarmFarm, Helios AI, Cibus, Corteva, NRGene, WisdomTree, EF Polymer, Silal, Greeneration, Burro, and Area 2 Farms.

Author

Diletta Di Iorio
October 03, 2025

Good morning growers,

This week’s update features headlines on Corteva’s planned split into two organizations, alongside new platforms, funding rounds, and partnerships shaping agtech and food systems. YLI debuts its H.A.R.V.E.S.T. accelerator, Terra Robotics advances laser weeding, and Aydi launches an AI-powered agronomy assistant. SwarmFarm and Helios secure major funding, while Cibus and NRGene push ahead in plant science. We also cover new investments in farmland and sustainable polymers, a UAE crop resilience hub, and developments in CEA with Greeneration, Burro, and Area 2 Farms.

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.

Estimated Reading Time: 6 - 7 minutes

OUR LATEST AGTECH INTELLIGENCE DASHBOARD SNAPSHOT

Where Is Investor Capital Flowing in 2025?

Funding activity in 2025 shows significant momentum across a few leading categories. Plant Science led with more than $235M raised, reflecting strong investor confidence in technologies advancing crop traits and input efficiency. Precision Agriculture followed closely with $191M, highlighting continued demand for automation, data-driven farming, and decision-support tools. Vertical Farming also drew major attention, securing over $139M in new capital this year (Though the majority was raised by a single company).

Beyond these, Livestock recorded one of the largest single-category totals of the year at $185M, emphasizing strong backing for technologies supporting animal health, productivity, and supply chain efficiency. Carbon Market investments topped $251M (Majority raised by a single company), while Greenhouse solutions captured $36M.

Data indicates that capital is clustering around plant science, precision tools, livestock, and carbon market/regenerative agriculture are gaining strong traction. Many sectors’ totals are also being driven by large, single-company rounds—for example, Chestnut Carbon ($250M), Halter ($100M), and Inari ($144M). The takeaway: 2025 reflects both consolidation in proven, scalable solutions and the gradual expansion of capital into climate resilience and digital transformation.

Want to see which emerging objectives are beginning to reshape the landscape—and how they compare?

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🎧 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.

AGRITECH
AgTech Highlights: New Initiative, New Funding Round & More!

The Yield Lab Institute launches H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech platform

  • Yield Lab Institute has introduced H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech, a program to accelerate startups with funding, research, and partnerships.

  • Building on the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, which supported 77 startups raising nearly $290M, the platform adds new partners such as UC Agriculture & Natural Resources and the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative.

  • Its Ecosystem Partner Network will link 12 U.S. regions and expand abroad, including Argentina and the UK.

Terra Robotics raises €1.8M for laser weeding

  • The Greek startup secured €1.8M led by Uni.Fund to commercialize its laser-based weeding system.

  • By combining robotics, AI, and lasers, the technology aims to reduce herbicide use and manual labor.

  • The funding will support scaling production, pilot projects, and partnerships with farmers.

Aydi secures $7.5M to launch AI agronomy tool

  • Aydi raised $7.5M in seed funding from COTU Ventures, Daltex, Nuwa Capital, and others to launch its digital agronomy assistant, Orth.

  • Orth uses satellite monitoring, predictive analytics, and conversational AI to help farmers cut costs and improve yields, claiming efficiency gains of more than 20%.

  • The platform will debut at Fruit Attraction in Madrid from September 30 to October 2, 2025.

SwarmFarm Robotics closes AUD 30M Series B

  • The Queensland-based company raised AUD 30M, led by Edaphon with $7M from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

  • SwarmFarm’s autonomous “SwarmBots” can reduce herbicide use by up to 95% and cut fuel emissions by 35%.

  • The new capital will fund North American expansion and further development of its open ecosystem of farming attachments.

Helios AI raises $4.7M to launch supply chain platform

  • Helios AI closed a $4.7M seed round led by Collide Capital to support its growth and the rollout of Helios Horizon.

  • The platform covers 75+ commodities, offering forecasts on prices, climate, and supply risks, with instant reports available on demand.

  • Starting at $299 per month, it is designed to make advanced analytics accessible to small and mid-sized businesses.

PLANT SCIENCE & AGRIBUSINESS
Plant Science & Agribusiness Updates: New Initiative, New Acquisition & More!

Cibus completes 2025 HT2 Canola field trials

  • Cibus reported strong results from U.S. field trials of its second-generation herbicide tolerance (HT2) Canola.

  • The crop, developed using its Rapid Trait Development System, is designed to improve weed control while reducing herbicide use.

  • Results build on earlier greenhouse tests and highlight Cibus’ focus on sustainable crop innovation.

Corteva to split seed and crop protection businesses

  • Corteva announced plans to separate into two companies by late 2026.

  • “New Corteva” will focus on crop protection and biologicals, projecting $7.8B in 2025 sales.

  • “SpinCo” will concentrate on seed innovation, with expected 2025 sales of $9.9B.

NRGene launches tomato seeds resistant to ToBRFV

  • NRGene, in partnership with Philoseeds, began commercial sales of tomato seeds with high resistance to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV).

  • Trials in Switzerland and Canada showed consistent performance and high fruit quality.

  • The resistance trait has been licensed to seed companies in Europe, South Africa, and the U.S., aiming to address widespread production losses in greenhouses.

WisdomTree acquires farmland investor Ceres Partners

  • WisdomTree completed its $275M acquisition of Ceres Partners, with an additional $225M earnout possible by 2030.

  • The deal marks WisdomTree’s entry into private markets, offering investors diversified exposure to farmland.

  • Ceres’ platform is expected to expand opportunities in areas such as solar leasing, AI infrastructure, and water rights.

SVG Ventures and Kagome invest $50M in EF Polymer

  • SVG Ventures, alongside Kagome Co., invested $50M through the Sunrise Agri Fund in EF Polymer.

  • The Okinawa-founded company develops biodegradable, plant-based polymers that help farmers conserve water and withstand drought.

  • EF Polymer, active in Japan and India, plans to scale its sustainable solutions internationally to address climate-driven challenges.

Silal and Limagrain launch crop resilience research hub in UAE

  • Silal and Limagrain Vegetable Seeds have partnered to establish the Center of Excellence for Abiotic Resilience and Crop Genomics (ARC-GEN) at the Silal Innovation Oasis in Al Ain.

  • The center will focus on developing crops that can withstand heat, drought, and salinity, while advancing research in crop genomics.

  • Two research units will drive the work: Plant Physiology, studying stress responses and seed adaptability, and Gene Editing, applying techniques to enhance crop traits.

CEA
CEA Updates: New Partnership, New Initiatives & More!

Greeneration partners with Harvest IQ to boost UAE food security

  • Dubai-based vertical farm Greeneration, founded by Roman Ulyanov, has teamed up with Harvest IQ to strengthen local food security.

  • The partnership combines Greeneration’s premium crop supply with Harvest IQ’s distribution expertise.

  • The focus is on delivering specialty crops day-of-harvest to high-end restaurants and hotels, supporting both sustainability and the regional culinary supply chain.

Burro expands autonomous fleet at Petitti Family Farms

  • Burro is scaling up its Burro Grande robots at Petitti Family Farms in Ohio, growing the fleet from 10 to 25 units by the end of 2025.

  • The robots currently tow heavy loads and will soon add autonomous spraying to ease labor pressures.

  • With 4,000 production acres and millions of plants shipped annually, Petitti Farm highlights the robots’ quick adoption by workers and significant productivity gains.

Area 2 Farms raises $9M to expand indoor farming network

  • Area 2 Farms secured $9M in funding led by Slow Ventures and Seven Seven Six, with ANIMO Ventures also participating.

  • Its pilot site in Arlington, Virginia, has delivered 20,000+ harvests to over 1,000 customers, with new farms planned in Fairfax.

  • Long-term, the goal is to establish farms within 10 miles of every U.S. household, supporting resilience and access to fresh food.

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

  • Evfarmer commits USD 40 million to support Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector. Investment to focus on staple, cash, and specialty crops, alongside new technologies. Plan includes development of a full agricultural ecosystem from production to sales.

  • Verra has verified the AgreenaCarbon Project, supported by Agricarbon’s soil data. The project is the first large-scale arable agriculture initiative to achieve verification. Verification has resulted in the release of 2.3 million carbon credits. Agricarbon contributed soil samples and analysis from across Europe.

  • FoodChain ID and Agmatix form a strategic partnership to accelerate adoption of regenerative agriculture. Collaboration combines certification credibility with data-driven agronomic intelligence. FoodChain's clients gain access to Agmatix’s RegenIQ AI-powered model. Agmatix clients can pursue FoodChain ID’s Regenerative Agriculture Certification.

  • KhetiBuddy has rebranded as Verdnt, reflecting its mission to deliver smarter, more sustainable insights for agri-businesses. The new identity emphasizes data-driven decision-making, sustainability, and global expansion. Verdnt integrates data from across the crop cycle — from tractors and sensors to satellites and weather stations.

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