Key Takeaways
- Orchard Robotics, CropX, and NRGene Green highlight growing innovation in AI, sustainability, and plant science.
- Significant public investments in California are set to boost regional innovation and workforce development.
- Zone Agtech and FCC form a strategic partnership to strengthen Quebec’s agtech ecosystem.
- New product launches in biostimulants, residue management, and harvest equipment aim to improve efficiency and sustainability.
- Controlled environment agriculture expands into correctional facilities, linking food access with workforce training.
AgTech Highlights: New Funding, New Partnership & More!
Orchard Robotics Raises $22M to Advance AI Farming Tools
Orchard Robotics announced the close of a $22 million Series A round, led by Quiet Capital and Shine Capital with participation from General Catalyst and Contrary. The company develops AI-powered crop management tools currently deployed in apple and grape orchards, with plans to expand into blueberries, cherries, and almonds. Funds will support team growth and a new San Francisco office.
CropX Acquires Acclym for Sustainability Intelligence
CropX Technologies completed its seventh acquisition by purchasing Acclym (formerly Agritask). The move integrates enterprise-level ESG and sustainability data into CropX’s platform, supporting food and beverage companies in supply chain risk management and regenerative agriculture tracking.
Merced AgTech Alliance Secures $9.2M for Central Valley Innovation
California Jobs First awarded $9.2 million to the Merced AgTech Alliance to establish a regional innovation hub. The program aims to generate over 3,000 jobs, incubate 100 startups, and offer 250 internships. Initiatives include an AgTech Innovation Center at Merced College and startup incubation at Reservoir Farms.
Land O’Lakes Launches AgTech Investment Program
Land O’Lakes introduced AgRogue Growth Partners, a cooperative-led fund targeting 10–15 agtech startups globally. Radicle Growth will manage investments of up to $7 million per partner, focusing on inputs, data, and supply chain innovations.
UC ANR Receives $15.1M to Build Statewide Ag Innovation Network
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) secured $15.1 million to establish a statewide ag innovation network, connecting nine food-producing regions. Over five years, the initiative aims to support 200 startups, train 1,500 individuals, and create 2,000 jobs.
Zone Agtech Partners with FCC to Expand Quebec’s AgTech Reach
Zone Agtech signed a three-year partnership with Farm Credit Canada (FCC). The collaboration will drive adoption through the AgXis Acceleration Program and expand international opportunities with the Go Global: Quebec Scale-Up Program, co-developed with SVG Ventures | THRIVE.
Plant Science Updates: New Initiative, Innovation & More!
NRGene Green Demonstrates Clubroot Immunity in Canola
Field trials conducted in 2025 showed complete immunity to clubroot in NRGene Green’s canola donor lines, compared to 74–85% infection rates in current resistant varieties. Developed using AI-driven genomics and natural resistance genes, the trait is now available for global licensing.
Redox Bio-Nutrients Earns Biostimulant Certification
Redox Bio-Nutrients’ Mainstay Calcium 2.0 received the TFI Certified Biostimulant label, validating efficacy and safety standards.
Loveland Products Launches Extract XC
Loveland Products introduced Extract® XC, a concentrated residue management input that halves application rates while supporting nutrient cycling.
SynTech and Stepan Expand Formulation Services
SynTech Research and Stepan Company partnered to streamline crop protection and biological product development, combining regulatory, lab, and scale-up expertise.
Agribusiness & CEA Updates: New Initiatives & More!
Bushel Plus Introduces Modular Concaves in U.S.
Bushel Plus launched its O-Grate MAD Concaves, designed to reduce grain loss with modular, crop-specific inserts adaptable to major combine models.
AmplifiedAg Brings Vertical Farming to Correctional Facilities
AmplifiedAg, alongside Impact Justice and Skout Strategy, launched vertical farm projects in correctional facilities in South Carolina and California. These initiatives aim to improve food access and provide workforce training.
Other Updates: New Initiative, New Program & More!
- UC Merced received $3 million to build an agricultural technology barn.
- MyEasyFarm will provide MRV services for the Gaïago Carbon Program across 50,000 hectares in Europe.
- u-blox expanded its centimeter-level GNSS services to Argentina and Paraguay.
- Sabanto deployed an autonomous wheat seeding system in Montana.
- National Geographic Society and PepsiCo launched Food for Tomorrow, focused on regenerative agriculture education and storytelling.
Upcoming AgTech Events
- Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 | September 10–11, Dubai, UAE
- SPACE 2025 | September 16–18, France
- AgraME 2025 | October 6–7, Dubai
- Vertical Farming World Congress | October 7–9, Amsterdam
