Key Takeaways
- AISPRID, a company specializing in agricultural robotics, has raised $10.9 million (€10 million) in a Series A funding round to scale its AI-powered autonomous tomato leaf removal robots.
- The funding includes $6.75 million (€6.2 million) in equity financing, led by Innovacom (Turenne Groupe), with participation from Bpifrance’s French Tech Seed Fund, industry-expert business angels, and existing investors (Demeter, GO CAPITAL, and Breizh Up).
- The company will use the funds to increase production capacity, expand commercialization efforts—particularly internationally—and develop a new generation of robots.
- AISPRID’s robots are already deployed in 30 commercial operations, covering 70% of the greenhouse tomato market in France.
- The company plans to increase workforce and move to larger production facilities in 2025 to meet rising demand from tomato producers.
Expanding AI-Powered Robotics for Agriculture
Scaling Deployment and Technology
AISPRID, a French AgriTech company specializing in autonomous leaf removal robots for greenhouse tomato production, has secured $10.9 million (€10 million) in Series A funding. This financing will support the company’s expansion in international markets, enhance production capacity, and develop a new version of its AI-driven robot.
The funding round was led by Innovacom (Turenne Groupe), alongside Bpifrance’s French Tech Seed Fund, industry-expert business angels, and existing investors Demeter, GO CAPITAL, and Breizh Up.
“2024 marked a turning point for AISPRID as we significantly scaled our deployment, with 30 robots now in operation within France’s five largest cooperatives,” said Nicolas Salmon, CEO and Co-founder of AISPRID. “This funding will allow us to accelerate our roadmap, expand our solution to more growers, and refine our technology to further enhance efficiency and productivity.”
AISPRID’s robots are designed to automate the leaf removal process, a labor-intensive task essential for plant health and yield optimization. By reducing labor dependency, the robots address one of the biggest challenges in the agricultural sector—the shortage of skilled workers.
Deployment and Industry Adoption
Since its launch, AISPRID has transitioned from a Deep Tech startup to a structured company, offering one of the most widely deployed tomato leaf removal robots worldwide.
- 30 robots deployed in 2024.
- Present in the five largest French tomato cooperatives, representing 70% of the French greenhouse tomato market.
- Recognized with multiple industry awards in France and the Netherlands for its innovation and efficiency.
Advancing Automation in Greenhouse Farming
Key Technological Developments
AISPRID’s patented robotic solution integrates high-precision robotics with artificial intelligence, making it capable of analyzing plant structure and performing precise leaf removal.
The 2025 version of the AISPRID robot will include:
- Increased working capacity, enabling night-time operation.
- Autonomous row-switching, eliminating human intervention for repositioning.
- Enhanced cutting quality and improved speed, optimizing efficiency.
These advancements will make the system even more scalable and cost-effective, providing greenhouse operators with higher productivity and reduced operational costs.
Expansion Plans and Industry Impact
Increasing Production and Workforce
To meet growing demand, AISPRID is set to:
- Expand production capabilities with a new industrial facility in 2025.
- Increase its workforce, adding to its current 30-employee team.
- Expand international commercialization, targeting high-demand markets for AI-powered agricultural automation.
Addressing Agricultural Challenges
AISPRID’s solution aligns with key industry priorities, including:
- Labor shortages in agriculture.
- Food security and supply chain resilience.
- Reducing carbon footprint by increasing local production.
AISPRID’s expansion will enable widespread deployment of its technology, allowing more greenhouse operators to integrate AI-driven automation into their daily operations.
