California-Based Farm-ng Secures $10 Million in Series A Funding to Advance Modular Robotics for Small and Mid-Sized Farms
Central California, USA – January 18, 2024
farm-ng, a pioneering agricultural robotics company based in Central California, has successfully raised $10 million in Series A funding. The investment, led by Acre Venture Partners, will fuel farm-ng’s mission to democratize robotics in agriculture, enabling small and mid-sized farms to embrace automation and innovation.
Dismantling Barriers to On-Farm Adoption and Fostering Innovation
farm-ng’s CEO, Ethan Rublee, emphasizes the company’s commitment to breaking down barriers to robotic adoption and fostering a culture of innovation within the agricultural sector. The company’s flagship product, the Amiga autonomous robot, stands out for its modular design, allowing farmers to customize the machine to suit a wide range of tasks, from soil preparation and planting to harvesting and crop care.
“We view farmers as our primary customers, along with research and startup clients seeking to develop transformative solutions in agriculture. Our modular system empowers farmers to become innovators, building upon the legacy of agricultural pioneers like John Deere and numerous contemporary startup founders with farming backgrounds.”
farm-ng’s headquarters in Central California provides the company with direct access to a vibrant farming community. Rublee emphasizes the company’s focus on lowering the entry barrier for robotics adoption, enabling farms of all sizes to participate in the innovation revolution.
“We have invested heavily in documentation, enabling high school and community college students to build applications and collaborate with farmers. This community-led innovation effort drives progress and democratizes access to robotics in agriculture,” Rublee adds.
Empowering Farmers with Affordable, Adaptable Robotics
The Amiga robot embodies farm-ng’s commitment to affordability and adaptability. Weighing just 320 pounds and priced at just under $13,000, the lightweight machine is designed to meet the needs of small-scale growers, addressing the challenges of smaller acreages and diverse farming practices.
Rublee explains, “We recognize the need to make robotics accessible to small-scale growers, both in terms of capital expenditure and utility. By offering a one- to two-horsepower platform that is easy to use and maintain, we empower farmers to identify use cases and seamlessly integrate the robot into their operations.”
Maturing the Organization and Expanding Capabilities
The Series A funding will primarily be utilized to mature farm-ng’s organizational structure and scale its operations, enabling the deployment of more robots in the field. Brendan Dowdle, farm-ng’s COO, outlines the company’s plans to establish a robust go-to-market machine, comprising a sales and marketing arm dedicated to placing robots in the field and providing exceptional customer support.
“We have found product-market fit with a small and medium customer base. Now, we aim to scale the organization to get more robots out there and provide comprehensive support to our customers,” Dowdle states.
The funding will also drive the development of additional capabilities and use cases for the Amiga robot. Dowdle elaborates, “We are actively working on iterating upon and introducing a new version of the robot that can be leveraged across a broader spectrum of use cases, further expanding its utility for our customers.”
Embracing the Future of Agriculture with farm-ng
farm-ng’s mission aligns with the evolving landscape of agriculture, where technology and innovation play increasingly vital roles in addressing global food challenges. The company’s commitment to affordability, adaptability, and community-led innovation positions it as a frontrunner in democratizing robotics and empowering farmers to embrace the future of agriculture.