Key Takeaways
- Saga Robotics secures £8.4 million in equity capital to expand commercial deployment of its Thorvald autonomous platform.
- Funding round backed by a mix of new and existing investors, including Praesidium Agri-FoodTech, Aker, and Nysnø Climate Investments.
- Board strengthened with new members from Elliptic Labs and Praesidium Agri-FoodTech.
- Thorvald now supports 20% of the UK strawberry market and operates on 1,300+ acres of vineyards in the US.
- Capital will accelerate adoption, enhance efficiency, and reduce chemical use in high-value crops.
Saga Robotics Secures Funding for Commercial Expansion
Saga Robotics, developer of the Thorvald autonomous platform for grapevine and strawberry production, has raised £8.4 million to accelerate commercial operations in the UK and US. The investment supports the company’s shift from early market traction to broader commercial adoption.
The round was led by new and existing investors, including Praesidium Agri-FoodTech, a Luxembourg-based VC focused on scalable agricultural technology. Returning investors included Aker, Nysnø Climate Investments, Blystad, Hatteland, Melesio, Sanden, and MP Pensjon.
Strengthened Board and Investor Confidence In Saga Robotics
As part of the raise, Saga Robotics added new expertise to its Board. Laila Danielsen, CEO of Elliptic Labs, joined as a member, and Alice Laurora, Vice President at Praesidium Agri-FoodTech, joined as an observer. Dorn Wenninger (Chair), Atle Eide (Aker), and Yvonne Silden Langlo (Nysnø) remain in their positions.
“The Thorvald robot has moved from a prototype to a fully commercially deployed autonomous solution, already servicing thousands of acres in 2025,” said Laurora. “We’re investing in Saga Robotics because they have the right team, the right tech, proven technology, and a clear path to scale in high-value, underserved agricultural sectors.”
Board Chair Dorn Wenninger noted that investor commitment reflects the company’s strong performance: “The continued backing of existing shareholders who know the company well, along with the addition of new investors such as Praesidium Agri-FoodTech is testament to the solid foundations of our core business and our pipeline of growth.”
Expanding Thorvald’s Reach in UK and US
Saga Robotics plans to use the capital to accelerate Thorvald’s rollout. In the UK, Thorvald supports 13 major strawberry growers, treating about 20% of the national market, with a target of over 30% by 2026. The 2025 season also saw the first commercial revenue from the company’s yield prediction data tool.
In the US, Thorvald operates across more than 1,300 acres of vineyards and aims to triple its footprint by 2026. The platform is approved for California’s CORE incentive program, which offers grants for robot sales.
Over 150 Thorvald 3.0 units are active in the field in 2025.
Saga Robotics
Saga Robotics develops autonomous robotic solutions designed to support growers in optimizing production efficiency and reducing input use. Its flagship platform, Thorvald, enables tasks such as UV-C treatment for powdery mildew in strawberries and grapevines, as well as flower and fruit counting for yield forecasting, runner cutting, and the dispensing of predatory mites.
Established in 2016 by Pål Johan From and Lars Grimstad, the company employs around 50 people and maintains operations in Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
