Ecorobotix secures USD 52 million in new financing round to to accelerate the growth of its AI-powered plant recognition

Ecorobotix, the Swiss manufacturer of ARA, an AI-powered plant recognition system with state-of-the-art precision spraying, announced the completion of a financing round totaling USD 52 million (CHF 46 million), jointly led by AQTON Private Equity GmbH and Cibus Capital LLP. Additional investments came from Swisscanto Invest/Swisscanto Growth Fund I, Yara Growth Ventures, Flexstone Partners, as well as existing investors such as Swisscom Ventures, BASF Venture Capital, 4FOX Ventures, and Verve Ventures. The funding will accelerate Ecorobotix's geographical expansion into new and existing markets and drive the development of new products.

With customers in 15 European markets, these investments will further accelerate Ecorobotix's fast-growing business. Ecorobotix will utilize the new capital to strengthen the global growth of ARA, particularly in North and South America. The capital will contribute to radically transforming and enhancing agriculture through the provision of intelligent, innovative, and sustainable plant treatment solutions. With ARA, farmers save money while simultaneously preserving the environment by reducing operating costs by 70-95%, increasing crop yields, minimizing soil impact, and maintaining biodiversity.

"We are proud to collaborate with investors who clearly recognize the ecological benefits of our ultra-precision technology. With these new investments, we can offer ARA to more farmers in more markets, thereby increasing agricultural productivity while protecting the environment and reducing CO2 emissions." - Simon Aspinall, CEO of Ecorobotix

Ecorobotix worked with UBS Growth Advisory and Oaklins France as advisors for this financing. The capital raise consisted of USD 48.3 million (CHF 43.1 million) in new equity and USD 3.4 million (CHF 3 million) in new financing facilities through the BAFU Technology Fund. The new capital will enable Ecorobotix to expand into new markets, diversify its product range, and build upon the existing commercial success of ARA in Europe.
 

Ecorobotix is a Swiss Certified B Corporation® that was founded to radically improve agriculture and protect the environment by reducing the use of chemicals, energy, and their impact on the soil. Ecorobotix has developed ARA, a revolutionary data solution that reduces the application of herbicides, pesticides, growth treatments, and liquid fertilizers by 70-95%, increases crop yields by 5% or more, and significantly lowers CO2 emissions. Using AI technology and its unique ultra-precision spraying system, ARA can identify individual plants, classify them in real time, and spray weeds with an unprecedented precision of 6 x 6 cm.

Ecorobotix recently participated in Venture Leaders Technology 2023, in Venture Leaders Mobile in 2020, and was ranked at the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Awards in 2016.


Simon Aspinall, CEO of Ecorobotix, pitching on stage during Venture Leaders Technology 2023 in Silicon Valley.