June 16, 2023

By Lynda Kiernan-Stone, Global AgInvesting Media

Strategic investor and regenerative agriculture leader Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) has led a Seed round with continued participation from 1855 Capital and Ben Franklin Technology Partners for Croptix, a precision agtech startup enabling predictive, data-driven, farming decisions. 

Croptix origins started when Dr. Perry Edwards and Dr. Zhiwen Liu founded the company to translate innovative sensor technology developed by researchers at Pennsylvania State University into meaningful and marketable solutions that would have impact outside the laboratory. 

This work took spectrophotometer miniaturization from the benchtop to handheld devices specifically suited for non-invasive tissue sampling. The team then applied their combined expertise in optical engineering with the strengths of other scientists to develop the Croptix platform – a convenient, field-deployable solution for farmers to measure plant nutrition in situ and screen for crop diseases. 

What resulted was a new industry tool able to improve global food security by combining miniature spectrophotometers with big data and AI. This achievement gained Croptix highly competitive Phase I and Phase II grants from National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) to develop and commercialize the technology. 

Today, Croptix’ platform uses in-field sensors, AI analytics, proprietary cloud-based data, and a mobile app to provide rapid, actionable results for farmers. The company explained that its initial solution has been beneficial for citrus growers in identifying early indications of citrus greening (Huanglongbing – HLB), one of the most destructive citrus diseases in the world. 

With the capital gained through this round, Croptix stated it will accelerate its expansion into the larger nutrient segment while continuing to add to its disease solutions for growers of high-value permanent crops such as apples and grapes. 

AEA has been a pioneer of regenerative agriculture since 2006, helping growers covering millions of acres across North America implement science-based customized crop programs enabling them to exceed crop quality markers and produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher yields. 

As a developer of systems for regenerative agriculture and provider of agronomy expertise, technologies, and specialty plant nutrition products that monitor soil and plant system’s performance and microbiome integrity, lead investor AEA understands just how critical Croptix’ technology is to the future of sustainable food production. 

 “Croptix’s technology will add a new dimension to the consulting and nutritional services AEA offers by providing farmers fast, data-driven analysis,” said Jason Hobson, CEO, AEA. “This technology will help farmers quickly understand potential issues related to their crops and solve nutrient deficiencies before they become a problem.”

“AEA invested in Croptix because of our confidence in the current capabilities and future potential of its innovative technology and its highly committed and talented team,” added Paul Bergman, executive chair, AEA.

“Our mission is greatly enhanced through this partnership, as we both accelerate and broaden the support we provide farmers using regenerative practices to achieve higher returns with less risk, grow healthier and more resilient plants, and regenerate soil systems.”

~ Lynda Kiernan-Stone is editor in chief 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 Unconventional Ag. She can be reached at lkiernan-stone@globalaginvesting.com.

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