Key Takeaways
- The Forge is a deployment-focused program integrating real-world agricultural technologies
- Inaugural cohort includes Precision AI, Pyka, Yamaha Precision Agriculture, Taranis, and others
- Emphasizes field-tested, operationally viable systems rather than early-stage R&D
- Focused on interoperability, agronomic relevance, and measurable on-farm ROI
- Part of Kelly Hills’ broader mission to support durable agricultural innovation
Kelly Hills Unveils The Forge: A Practical Integration Lab for Agricultural Technologies
Kelly Hills, a company committed to advancing multimodal technologies in agriculture and autonomy, has launched The Forge, a new program designed to blend proven agricultural innovations into field-ready, long-lasting tools for farmers, ranchers, and ag service providers. Unlike traditional R&D-focused accelerators, The Forge is a deployment-centered initiative built to integrate and stress-test real technologies for real-world conditions.
“We’re not just investing in new ideas—we’re investing in what works,” said Lukas Koch, Founder & CEO of Kelly Hills. “The Forge exists to help proven technologies fuse into something greater—something that drives tangible ROI at the farm gate.”
Diverse Inaugural Cohort to Power System Integration
The first cohort of The Forge features an interdisciplinary mix of agricultural innovators and operators, including:
- Precision AI: Drone-based precision spraying systems that reduce chemical use
- Pyka: Autonomous electric aircraft for aerial applications and logistics
- ScanIt Technologies: Airborne pathogen detection for yield protection
- Heinen Brothers Agra Services: Leading aerial applicators offering deployment scale
- Yamaha – Precision Agriculture: Robotic and aerial solutions for efficient small-scale farming
- Drop Flight: Spray optimization tools for droplet characterization and calibration
- Taranis: Ultra-high-resolution scouting to support data-driven agronomy
These companies bring proven capabilities that will be evaluated and combined to create systems with strong commercial potential and field utility.
A Platform for Fusion, Not Just Innovation
At its core, The Forge is focused on bridging the often-missing link between innovation and integration. Each technology will be tested for compatibility, interoperability, and agronomic alignment to create solutions that farmers can implement at scale.
Key goals of the program include:
- Bridging the gap between data, deployment, and in-field action
- Unlocking ROI for farmers through integrated systems, not isolated tools
- Supporting commercial-scale pilots across diverse crops and geographies
- Establishing replicable models for product fusion and operational validation
The Forge: Support for Real-World Deployment and Scalability
Participants will engage in multi-system deployments facilitated by Heinen Brothers and other operational partners. The program also offers mentorship in system architecture, agronomic value modeling, and commercialization planning. Additionally, teams will gain access to Kelly Hills’ network of public sector, supply chain, and investment stakeholders.
By emphasizing practical outcomes, The Forge supports Kelly Hills’ broader goal of ensuring frontier technologies serve not only farmers and ag professionals, but also community resilience and national food security.
For more information, visit www.kellyhills.us/the-forge or contact events@kellyhills.us.
