September 27, 2021

By Lynda Kiernan-Stone, Global AgInvesting Media

Seattle-based agtech innovator Carbon Robotics is dedicated to eradicating one of the biggest problems facing farmers – weeds. In support of this mission, Anthos Capital, Ignition Partners, Fuse Venture Capital, Voyager Capital, Bolt, and Liquid2 Ventures have invested a combined $27 million in a Series B round for the company. 

Currently there are 263 herbicide-resistant species across 71 countries, making weed control and eradication harder than ever. And as regenerative farming and sustainable means of food production continue to gain traction with growers, consumers, and investors alike, non-invasive and non-chemical means of weed control are becoming ever-more in demand.

As pioneers in the next agricultural revolution, Carbon Robotics has recently released its first product – the Autonomous Weeder – a purpose-built next-generation autonomous robot that utilizes high-power lasers to eliminate weeds using thermal energy, without disturbing soil integrity.

“This investment further validates our mission to create tools that utilize technology to address farmers’ toughest problems,” said Paul Mikesell, CEO and founder, Carbon Robotics. “Weeding is one of the biggest challenges farmers face, especially with the rise of herbicide-resistant weeds and increasing interest in organic and regenerative methods.”

The robot not only allows for farmers to use less herbicides while easing labor needs, it also improves the reliability and predictability of costs, crop yields, and other factors.

Brian Ames, managing director, Anthos Capital, commented, “The team’s multi-disciplinary expertise encompassing advanced AI and ML, computer vision, and thermal energy, positions Carbon Robotics to be an important player in driving the agriculture technology revolution.”

“Carbon Robotics is uniquely positioned to address critical issues affecting farmers, including the rise of superweeds and the decrease of available labor,” said Erik Benson, managing director, Voyager Capital.

“The company is making advanced technologies accessible to farmers, supporting their business operations by improving efficiencies and reliability as well as offering a sustainable method to support the management of their land. Carbon Robotics is fundamentally changing how farmers weed fields and has the potential to be this millennium’s Deere & Company.”

Since the release of its Autonomous Weeder in April of this year, the company has seen strong demand for its technology, having already secured a list of interested top growers and bookings exceeding $20 million.

Over the past months the company has demonstrated great momentum and market potential, selling out its 2021 and 2022 models, and beginning to take orders for 2023.  Some of the high-profile, large-scale farming operations that have ordered the company’s laser weeding unit include Grimmway Farms (backed by Teays River Investments), Carzalia Valley Produce, Mercer Ranches, Taylor Farms (which bought Earthbound Farm – the largest organic salad business in the U.S. from Danone in 2019 for $500 million), Triangle Farms, Terranova Ranch, Bowles Farming Co, Braga Ranch, Duncan Family Farms, and Amigo Farms.

With this capital, which brings total funding for Carbon Robotics to $36 million, the company said it plans to expand its engineering team, establish regional sales and support structures for customers across the U.S., and invest in the further innovation of new products and technology.

This round of investment will enable us to scale our operations to meet the increasing demand for this technology,” commented company CEO Paul Mikesell. “Additionally, this funding will allow our team to continue to innovate new products and identify revolutionary ways to apply technology to agriculture.”

Connected with this round, the company also welcomed Eric Scollard in the role of strategic sales advisor to support the company as it works to meet this aggressive growth trajectory.

In this role, Scollard will develop strategic initiatives that will foster the ability for Carbon Robotics to effectively scale distribution of its Autonomous Weeder and future products. He also will serve to support the expansion of the company’s sales and regional support teams.

“The already demanding task of weeding has only gotten harder for farmers to manage as more herbicide-resistant weeds develop and the cost of herbicides increases,” said Cameron Borumand, general partner, FUSE. “Carbon Robotics has built a game-changing solution to solve one of the biggest problems in agriculture. Farmers have been innovative and resourceful in addressing this problem so far, but they deserve the best technology to help them execute one of the most important jobs in the world—putting food on people’s tables.”

– Lynda Kiernan-Stone is editor with GAI Media, and is managing editor and daily contributor for Global AgInvesting’s AgInvesting Weekly News and  Agtech Intel News, as well as HighQuest Group’s Oilseed & Grain News. She can be reached at lkiernan-stone@globalaginvesting.com.