Key Takeaways
- Nanovel, a precision AgTech startup developing autonomous robots for dense-canopy citrus harvesting, has been awarded a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program.
- The award also includes eligibility for an equity investment of up to €4.3 million, intended to anchor a planned funding round of approximately €8 million.
- Nanovel is targeting a commercially ready autonomous harvesting robot for oranges and lemons by 2028, addressing a global market it estimates at $1 billion annually.
- The company's “Grip & Trim” end-effector uses computer vision and deep-learning AI to locate fruit deep within tree canopies and harvest it without damage.
- Nanovel's trial program spans orchards in Israel, Europe and the United States, following field validation in California with the Citrus Research Board in fall 2025.
Nanovel Secures €2.5 Million EIC Accelerator Grant
Nanovel, a precision AgTech startup developing autonomous, AI-powered robots for harvesting in dense-canopy citrus orchards, has announced it was awarded a competitive €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program. The award also includes eligibility for an equity investment of up to €4.3 million, intended to anchor a planned funding round of approximately €8 million. Nanovel said the award reflects the EIC's assessment of its technological edge, the commercial viability of its product, and its execution capabilities.
Addressing the Labor Shortage in Citrus Harvesting
Fresh fruit growers worldwide face mounting economic pressure tied to dependence on seasonal manual labor, which Nanovel says accounts for roughly 50% of production costs, amid a deepening shortage of agricultural workers. The company will use the EIC grant to reach strategic milestones toward a commercially ready autonomous robot, initially targeting orange and lemon harvesting, with a planned 2028 launch. Nanovel estimates the global market for these two crops at roughly $1 billion annually. To get there, the company is finalizing its multi-arm platform and expanding its European operations to run field trials with growers in Spain and Italy.
“Our mission is to ensure global availability for consumers and economic viability for fresh fruit growers by automating the most critical and labor-intensive part of the production process,” said Isaac Mazor, Founder and CEO of Nanovel. “This grant supports our expansion into Europe as a strategic global market and firmly positions us on the path to a 2028 commercial launch.”
Nanovel's “Grip & Trim” Technology
Nanovel's platform uses computer vision and deep-learning AI to detect fruit located deep within tree canopies. It guides a patented “Grip & Trim” end-effector, mounted at the tip of a telescopic arm, to grasp fruit and precisely sever its stem without causing damage. To increase throughput, the robot operates multiple arms simultaneously, controlled by a central onboard computer linked to a remote management system that oversees the fleet.
Trial Program and Roadmap
Nanovel's trial program spans orchards in Israel, Europe and the United States, following successful field validation in California in collaboration with the Citrus Research Board (CRB) in fall 2025. While the company is currently focused on oranges and lemons, its roadmap includes adapting the technology for additional citrus varieties and other crops, including mangoes, peaches and nectarines.
