May 10, 2023

By Lynda Kiernan-Stone, Global AgInvesting Media

Swiss agtech company Ecorobotix has completed its largest capital raise to-date, closing on a $52 million (CHF 46 million) Series B co-led by AQTON Private Equity GmbH and Cibus Capital LLP.

Joining AQTON Private Equity and Cibus Capital were Swisscanto Invest/Swisscanto Growth Fund I, Yara Growth Ventures, Flexstone Partners, and existing investors Swisscom Ventures, BASF Venture Capital, 4FOX Ventures, and Verve Ventures.

Of the total capital raised, $48.3 million (CHF 43.1 million) is new equity, and another $3.4 million (CHF 3 million) is structured as new financing facilities from the FOEN Swiss Technology Fund. 

Founded in October 2011 by Steve Tanner and Aurélien Demaurex, Ecorobotix is the developer of ARA, an AI-powered, plant-by-plant recognition, and ultra-targeted smart spraying system with the potential to reduce the use of liquid fertilizers and chemical inputs by as much as 70-95 percent, while improving crop yields by at least 5 percent, and substantially reducing CO2 emissions. 

Using AI technology and an ultra-high precision spraying system, ARA recognizes individual plants, classifying them in real-time, spraying weeds with unmatched precision of 2.4 inches x 2.4 inches (6 x 6 centimeters) without affecting the surrounding crops, soil, or ecosystem. 

“I’m looking forward to helping grow businesses like Ecorobotix which are having a positive impact on agriculture and the environment,” said Stefan Quandt, owner of lead investor AQTON PE. 

“Ultra-high precision agriculture and solutions like ARA from Ecorobotix are critical to improving farmer efficiency and helping move towards an eco-friendlier future.”

With customers in 15 European markets, Ecorobotix explained that this investment will accelerate its geographic expansion across existing and new markets – particularly in the Americas.

It also will back the company’s mission to radically transform agriculture for the better through the development of smart, innovative, and sustainable crop treatment solutions that make farmers’ lives easier, reduce the impact on soil, and preserve biodiversity. 

“We are proud to be working with investors who clearly see the environmental benefits of our ultra-high precision technology,” said Simon Aspinall, CEO, Ecorobotix.

“With these new investments, we will deliver ARA to more farmers, in more markets, increasing agricultural productivity while protecting the environment and reducing CO2 impact.”

~ 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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