AgTech Digest – Week of July 21: Funding, AI Tools, and Vertical Farming Updates

Key Takeaways:

Bonsai Robotics acquires farm-ng: Bonsai is combining its AI with farm-ng’s electric modular platforms to deliver integrated robotics. The move aims to support flexible automation for growers and OEMs.
TriC Robotics raises $5.5M: The seed round will expand Luna robot deployment. Luna uses UV light and vacuum tech to reduce chemical inputs, now operating on strawberry farms in California.
Unitree introduces $1,600 ag robots: Unitree’s Go2 robot offers low-cost crop monitoring with AI and edge computing. Aimed at reducing labor and attracting younger farmers.
Carlyle & FarmOp Capital sign $250M deal: Carlyle will purchase $250M in operating loans, helping FarmOp increase lending to U.S. row crop farmers.
€1B in ag finance from EIB, Rabobank & DLL: The funding targets EU ag SMEs and sustainability-focused projects, with €500M from EIB matched by the banks.

Biobest acquires Ecoation tools: Biobest adds Crop-Scanner™ and OKO 2 to enhance pest and yield monitoring in greenhouses.
Vestaron gains EU emergency approvals: SPEAR LEP, a bioinsecticide, received 120-day approvals in Greece, Italy, and Portugal to address pest resistance.
Solynta secures €20M for hybrid potato seeds: The venture debt from EIB supports scaling of Solynta’s non-GMO True Potato Seeds (TPS).
NetZeroNitrogen raises €5.6M: The funding will expand biofertilizer tech using bacteria to replace synthetic nitrogen and reduce emissions.

Square Roots Japan launches Sage AI assistant: Sage, built with AWS Bedrock, helps CEA growers with real-time, task-specific support via the Farmer Toolbelt OS.
GreenLife opens Kuwait’s first aeroponic farm: Built with CleanGreens, the farm uses 96% less water and produces 900kg of lettuce daily. It’s GAP-certified and expanding.
Néboda raises €1.84M: The Spanish vertical farming startup focuses on basil using hydroponics and computer vision. Funds will support growth in Iberia.
CE-Line files for bankruptcy: Dutch firm CE-Line, known for real-time nutrient sensors, ceased operations due to commercial delays and trade issues.