A new wave of agriculture innovators is transforming farming with tech-driven solutions. Backed by $50M to $100M, these companies are scaling precision farming, climate-resilient crops, and smart irrigation to boost sustainability and efficiency.
Highlighting 10 Agriculture Innovators With Big Funding
These 10 startups are leading the charge in agricultural innovation. Let’s explore how they’re revolutionizing the industry.
| Company | Founded | Location | Number of Employees | Last Funding Amount | Last Funding Date | Total Funding Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growers Edge | 2017 | Johnston, Iowa | 11-50 | $10M | Oct 23, 2024 | $70.5M |
| Innventure | 2016 | Orlando, Florida | 11-50 | $50M | Oct 23, 2024 | $89.08M |
| SESO | 2019 | San Francisco, CA | 101-250 | $26M | Apr 2, 2024 | $55.5M |
| InnerPlant | Jan 2018 | Davis, California | 11-50 | $30M | Jul 25, 2024 | $52.3M |
| EarthOptics | 2018 | Arlington, Virginia | 51-100 | $24M | Nov 19, 2024 | $79.1M |
| Higharc | Feb 2018 | Durham, North Carolina | 51-100 | $53M | Feb 15, 2024 | $80M |
| Agtonomy | 2021 | San Francisco, CA | 11-50 | $10M | Oct 16, 2024 | $55M |
| Liberation Labs | 2021 | New York, New York | 11-50 | $2M | Oct 15, 2024 | $90.39M |
| Elicit Plant | 2017 | Vilhonneur, France | 51-100 | $48M | Nov 14, 2024 | $73.78M |
| Micropep Technologies | 2016 | Ramonville, France | 11-50 | $11M | Sep 26, 2024 | $64.59M |
1. Growers Edge
- Founded: 2017
- Location: Johnston, Iowa, USA
- Industry: Agriculture, Analytics
- Number of Employees: 11-50
- Last Funding Amount: $10M (Latest Round: October 23, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $70.5M
Growers Edge is an Iowa-based company focused on providing innovative financial solutions and analytics for the agricultural sector. The company specializes in helping farmers and agricultural businesses improve profitability and mitigate risks through advanced data analysis, financial products, and technology. By combining deep industry knowledge with cutting-edge analytics, Growers Edge enables farmers to access customized financial solutions and better manage their resources. With a mission to drive sustainability and growth in agriculture, Growers Edge is empowering farmers to make data-driven decisions that enhance their productivity.
2. Innventure
- Founded: 2016
- Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
- Industry: Architecture, Construction
- Number of Employees: 11-50
- Last Funding Amount: $50M (Latest Round: October 23, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $89.1M
Innventure is an Orlando-based company specializing in the commercialization of breakthrough innovations within the architecture and construction sectors. The company partners with industry leaders to identify, develop, and scale disruptive technologies that address critical challenges in construction and urban development. By leveraging strategic partnerships, cutting-edge engineering, and financial expertise, Innventure transforms promising ideas into high-impact businesses. With a mission to drive innovation in infrastructure and sustainable construction, Innventure plays a crucial role in shaping the future of urban environments.
3. SESO
- Founded: 2019
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Industry: Agriculture, AgTech
- Number of Employees: 101-250
- Last Funding Amount: $26M (Latest Round: April 2, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $55.5M
SESO is a San Francisco-based AgTech company focused on revolutionizing the agricultural labor industry. The company provides technology-driven solutions to streamline hiring, compliance, and workforce management for farmers and agricultural businesses. By leveraging data-driven insights and automation, SESO simplifies the complex process of recruiting and retaining skilled labor, ensuring compliance with industry regulations. With a commitment to supporting both employers and workers, SESO plays a vital role in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the agricultural workforce.
4. InnerPlant
- Founded: January 2018
- Location: Davis, California, USA
- Industry: Agriculture, AgTech
- Number of Employees: 11-50
- Last Funding Amount: $30M (Latest Round: July 25, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $52.3M
InnerPlant is an AgTech company pioneering the development of plant biosensors to enhance agricultural efficiency and sustainability. By leveraging genetic engineering, InnerPlant creates crops that signal early signs of stress, such as nutrient deficiencies, pest infestations, or disease outbreaks. These real-time insights allow farmers to take precise action, reducing the need for excessive pesticides and fertilizers while improving crop yields. With a mission to make farming more data-driven and environmentally friendly, InnerPlant is transforming the way growers manage their fields and optimize resource use.
5. EarthOptics
- Founded: 2018
- Location: Arlington, Virginia, USA
- Industry: Agriculture, AgTech
- Number of Employees: 51-100
- Last Funding Amount: $24M (Latest Round: November 19, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $79.1M
EarthOptics is an AgTech company focused on soil intelligence and precision agriculture. Using advanced sensing technology and machine learning, the company provides real-time, high-resolution insights into soil health, compaction, and carbon content. This data enables farmers to optimize soil management, reduce input costs, and improve yields while promoting sustainable farming practices. By bridging the gap between traditional agriculture and cutting-edge technology, EarthOptics is helping farmers make more informed decisions that enhance productivity and environmental impact.
6. Higharc
- Founded: February 2018
- Location: Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Industry: Architecture, Construction
- Number of Employees: 51-100
- Last Funding Amount: $53M (Latest Round: February 15, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $80M
Higharc is revolutionizing the homebuilding industry with its AI-powered design and construction platform. The company provides an automated, end-to-end solution that streamlines the home design, permitting, and construction processes. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Higharc enables builders to create customized homes faster and more efficiently, reducing costs and improving scalability. With a focus on innovation, the company is helping developers and homebuilders modernize workflows while enhancing sustainability and precision in residential construction.
7. Agtonomy
- Founded: 2021
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Industry: Agriculture, AgTech, Industrial Automation
- Number of Employees: 11-50
- Last Funding Amount: $10M (Latest Round: October 16, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $55M
Agtonomy is an AgTech company focused on transforming traditional farming through advanced automation and artificial intelligence. By integrating autonomous solutions into agricultural equipment, Agtonomy enhances efficiency, reduces labor costs, and promotes sustainable farming practices. The company’s innovative technology enables precision farming, allowing growers to optimize field operations with real-time data insights. With a commitment to modernizing agriculture, Agtonomy empowers farmers to meet the growing demand for food production while minimizing environmental impact.
8. Liberation Labs
- Founded: 2021
- Location: New York, New York, USA
- Industry: Agriculture, AgTech, Biopharma
- Number of Employees: 11-50
- Last Funding Amount: $2M (Latest Round: October 15, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $90.39M
Liberation Labs is an innovative biotechnology company specializing in precision fermentation for sustainable food and pharmaceutical applications. By leveraging advanced bioprocessing techniques, the company aims to revolutionize ingredient production, reducing reliance on traditional agricultural methods. Liberation Labs is committed to creating scalable, cost-effective solutions for alternative proteins and biopharmaceuticals, helping industries transition to more sustainable and ethical production models. With a strong focus on innovation and environmental responsibility, Liberation Labs is shaping the future of food and healthcare manufacturing.
9. Elicit Plant
- Founded: 2017
- Location: Vilhonneur, Poitou-Charentes, France
- Industry: Agriculture, AgTech, Biotechnology
- Number of Employees: 51-100
- Last Funding Amount: $48M (Latest Round: November 14, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $73.78M
Elicit Plant is a pioneering AgTech company focused on improving crop resilience against drought and climate stress. The company develops innovative plant biostimulants derived from phytosterols, helping farmers enhance yield stability while reducing water dependency. Elicit Plant’s solutions offer an eco-friendly and science-driven approach to sustainable agriculture, addressing global challenges related to food security and climate change. With a strong research foundation and field-proven results, Elicit Plant is making a significant impact in the agricultural industry.
10. Micropep Technologies
- Founded: 2016
- Location: Ramonville-Saint-Agne, Midi-Pyrénées, France
- Industry: Agriculture, Biotechnology, Chemical
- Number of Employees: 11-50
- Last Funding Amount: $11M (Latest Round: September 26, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $64.59M
Micropep Technologies is revolutionizing agriculture with its cutting-edge biotechnology solutions. The company specializes in developing micropeptides, short natural protein molecules that precisely regulate gene expression in plants. By leveraging this innovative technology, Micropep offers eco-friendly alternatives to traditional agrochemicals, enhancing crop resilience, productivity, and sustainability. Their proprietary platform enables targeted crop protection and growth optimization without the environmental impact of conventional pesticides and fertilizers.
Conclusion
The $50M to $100M raised by 10 agriculture innovators highlights a shift toward advanced technologies in farming. These companies are using AI, robotics, and sustainable practices to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and address global food security challenges. As they scale, these innovations will revolutionize agriculture for a more efficient and sustainable future.
FAQs
Q. How do these startups contribute to sustainability in agriculture?
Answer: These startups develop solutions that minimize resource usage, reduce waste, and enhance the resilience of crops. For instance, companies like Micropep Technologies offer eco-friendly alternatives to traditional agrochemicals, while Elicit Plant’s biostimulants help improve crop yield with less water.
Q. What technologies are driving innovation in these startups?
Answer: Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, automation, biosensors, biotechnology, and precision agriculture are central to these startups’ operations. These technologies help optimize farming practices, reduce labor costs, and improve crop management, leading to more sustainable farming practices.
Q. What challenges do these agriculture startups face?
Answer: These startups often face challenges such as regulatory hurdles, market adoption, and the need for continued innovation. Additionally, they must navigate the complexities of the agriculture industry, including supply chain management and fluctuating market conditions.