Key Takeaways
- TRIC Robotics has raised $5.5 million in Seed funding to scale its field-proven UV and vacuum-based pest control robots.
- The round was led by Version One Ventures and joined by Garage Capital, Valor Equity Partners, and strategic angel investors.
- Funds will be used to expand into new regions in California, increase fleet size, and launch next-gen automation and analytics.
- TRIC offers its robots as a service, eliminating upfront costs for farmers and enabling pesticide reduction by up to 70%.
- The technology is already deployed on hundreds of acres of strawberries across California’s Central Coast.
TRIC Robotics Expands Its Chemical-Free Crop Protection Technology
TRIC Robotics has announced the close of a $5.5 million oversubscribed Seed funding round to expand its autonomous robot fleet designed to reduce pesticide use in specialty crop farming. Led by Version One Ventures, the round also included participation from Garage Capital, Todd and Rahul Capital, Valor Equity Partners, Lucas Venture Group, and others, including founders of Clearpath Robotics and New Leader Manufacturing.
The funding will allow TRIC Robotics to scale its commercial operations across California and introduce new capabilities this summer. The company’s field robots, known as Luna, use ultraviolet (UV) light to control pests and disease and a vacuum system to remove harmful insects—all without chemicals.
TRIC Robotics Targets Specialty Crops with Scalable, Service-Based Solution
TRIC Robotics has carved a niche in strawberry production—one of the most pesticide-intensive and labor-heavy crops in U.S. agriculture. By deploying robots that require no upfront investment from farmers, the company’s service model lowers barriers to adoption while offering a recurring revenue stream.
“Our mission is to give farmers the tools they need to grow more with less, without damaging the planet,” said Adam Stager, CEO and Founder of TRIC Robotics. “This new capital will accelerate our growth, bringing in key team members and allowing us to quickly expand with new regions and capabilities launching this summer.”
According to TRIC, its robots are currently deployed on hundreds of acres, and pilots have shown up to 70% reductions in pesticide usage. The current fleet has doubled in the past year to nine units, with three more in production.
Demand for Sustainable Farming Drives TRIC Robotics’ Market Momentum
The funding comes at a time when growers are under pressure to meet stricter environmental regulations and reduce reliance on chemical inputs. TRIC Robotics’ platform offers an alternative that aligns with rising consumer demand for chemical-free produce and evolving food safety standards.
The company’s robots operate autonomously in the field, combining real-time data collection, computer vision, and precision treatments. TRIC’s approach also includes smart analytics, enabling farmers to better understand pest pressure and field conditions over time.
Next Steps for The Company
With fresh capital, TRIC Robotics plans to expand into new California farming regions, including Oxnard and Watsonville. The funds will also support scaling manufacturing, multiplying its robot fleet to serve 10x more acreage, and investing in R&D for enhanced automation and analytics.
By combining sustainability with automation, TRIC Robotics aims to offer a commercially viable alternative to pesticides for specialty crops, while improving farmer profitability and operational efficiency.
