YC-backed robotics startup Four Growers secures $9M Series A to tackle greenhouse labor shortages with AI robots
Nickie Louise
Posted On November 21, 2024
Over the last century, automation has revolutionized crops like corn, wheat, and soy, driving down costs and boosting production. Yet, fruits and vegetables have largely been left behind, facing up to 15x higher harvesting costs due to the lack of technological innovation. Compounding the issue, labor shortages in agriculture mean some crops are left unharvested, leading to significant food waste.
This gap is what Pittsburgh-based agtech robotics startup Four Growers aims to address. The company is tackling high labor costs and reducing food waste through automation, with a mission to support farmers globally.
Today, Four Growers announced a $9 million Series A funding round led by Basset Capital, alongside contributions from Ospraie Ag Science, Y Combinator, and other investors. The new funding will be used to scale the production of its flagship GR-100 harvesting robot and expand operations into Europe, North America, and Oceania.
The GR-100: Transforming Harvesting with AI and Robotics
The GR-100 is an AI-driven harvesting robot that automates picking processes with remarkable efficiency. It boasts:
- 5x faster-picking speed than competitors.
- 34x faster path optimization compared to traditional algorithms.
- 98% harvesting accuracy, powered by eight stereo cameras that detect and pick ripe crops.
The proprietary AI not only identifies ripeness but also optimizes the harvesting process, offering scalability across various types of produce. Already deployed on farms in North America and Europe, the GR-100 is helping farmers overcome labor shortages while increasing yields.
A Vision for Sustainable Farming
Founded by Brandon Contino and Dan Chi, Four Growers emerged from Y Combinator in 2018 to create sustainable solutions for agriculture. “While we’ve started with greenhouse tomatoes, which make up half of the fresh tomatoes consumed in the US, our technology is proving effective in crops like cucumbers and will soon expand to all fruits and vegetables, whether in greenhouses or open fields,” said Contino, the company’s CEO.
The company’s broader mission is to make nutritious, sustainable food accessible to everyone. Combining hardware and software expertise, Four Growers is developing tools that help farmers meet growing demand efficiently and affordably.
Since its inception, Four Growers has secured over $15 million in funding and signed contracts worth eight figures. Partnerships with major agricultural players, including Syngenta Vegetable Seeds, have further bolstered its growth. Investors like Better Food Ventures, Taver Capital, and Xplorer Capital have also supported the company’s vision.
This latest funding round will accelerate production of the GR-100 and expand the company’s global footprint, enabling deployments across Europe, North America, and Oceania. Four Growers also plans to ramp up research and development to refine its technology and address broader challenges in farming.
Growing Market for AgTech Solutions
The timing couldn’t be better. The global indoor farming market, valued at $40.51 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at an 11.3% annual rate over the next decade, according to a study by Fact.MR. Rising labor shortages and the push for sustainable farming practices are fueling demand for innovative solutions like those offered by Four Growers.
“From the outset, it was clear that the Four Growers team had made meaningful progress on long-standing challenges in agriculture,” said John Overbeck of Basset Capital. “Their robotics and AI solutions have the potential to dramatically improve operations and productivity. We’re confident they’ll continue to lead this transformation.”
With fresh funding and a proven product, Four Growers is poised to redefine how crops are harvested, offering farmers a path to greater efficiency, less waste, and a more sustainable future.
