February 10, 2016

Seattle-based MicaSense has raised an additional $7.4 million from global drone company, Paris-based Parrot, to fund the development of its agricultural drone technologies, according to Geek Wire.

The company’s first product – RedEdge, is a multispectral camera attached to a drone that can gather data over select wavelengths. Then using the company’s analytic software platform called ATLAS, farmers can measure a plant’s reflectance in order to determine a crop’s overall health.

This week the company announced its newest, smaller, and more affordable sensor product called Sequoia, which is manufactured by Parrot and is produced specifically to provide more efficient field scouting for farmers.

“MicaSense has strengthened its ties with Parrot and is on a path to join the Parrot family of companies in the next several years,” Gabriel Torres, MicaSense CEO, told Geek Wire. “This provides MicaSense the backing of one of the key players in the industry, with the flexibility to serve the entire commercial drone market.”

MicaSense plans to use the funds to expand its team and its ATLAS platform, and states that the company is looking to partner with other drone companies as a part of its strategic growth plan.