Pittsburgh-based agtech startup, Four Growers, has announced a $9 million Series A funding round aimed at advancing its autonomous harvesting technology for greenhouse agriculture.
Introduction
In a significant development for the agricultural technology sector, Four Growers, a Pittsburgh-based startup specializing in robotic harvesting solutions, has secured $9 million in Series A funding. This investment underscores the growing emphasis on automation to address labor shortages and enhance efficiency in greenhouse farming.
Background of Four Growers
Founded in 2017 by CEO Brandon Contino and co-founder Dan Chi, Four Growers is dedicated to providing healthy, affordable, and local produce by reducing production costs for greenhouse growers through robotics technology. The company has developed the GR-100, an autonomous tomato-harvesting robot that utilizes advanced AI and robotics to optimize the harvesting process. Since its inception, Four Growers has been committed to addressing the challenges faced by greenhouse farmers, including labor shortages and rising operational costs.
Details of the Funding
Four Growers has successfully raised $9 million in a Series A funding round led by Basset Capital, with participation from Ospraie Ag Science, Y Combinator, and other existing investors. This infusion of capital brings the company’s total venture funding to $15 million. The newly acquired funds are earmarked for scaling the production of their flagship GR-100 harvesting robot and expanding operations into key markets across Europe, North America, and Oceania.
Technology and Innovation
At the core of Four Growers’ technological advancements is the GR-100, an autonomous harvesting robot designed to optimize greenhouse farming. Equipped with eight stereo cameras and advanced AI algorithms, the GR-100 achieves a 98% accuracy rate in detecting and harvesting ripe produce. Its novel motion planner calculates optimal, collision-free paths 34 times faster than standard motion planning algorithms, enabling the robot to pick crops five times faster than competitors. The GR-100 is adaptable to existing greenhouse infrastructures, requiring minimal to no modifications, and includes features such as remote monitoring dashboards and an automated packing cart capable of handling up to 246 kilograms in a single session.
Significance of Greenhouses in Agriculture
Greenhouses play a pivotal role in modern agriculture by enabling year-round cultivation and proximity to consumer markets. They offer controlled environments that enhance crop yields and quality. However, the labor-intensive nature of greenhouse farming presents challenges, particularly in regions facing labor shortages. Four Growers addresses these issues by providing automation solutions that reduce reliance on manual labor, thereby lowering production costs and increasing efficiency. Their technology is currently operational across customer farms in North America and Europe, demonstrating scalability and reliability in diverse greenhouse settings
Market Trends and Challenges
The agricultural robotics sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by the need to enhance productivity and address labor shortages. The global agricultural robots market was valued at approximately USD 14.74 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 23.0% from 2025 to 2030. Despite this growth, challenges persist, including the high costs associated with developing and deploying advanced robotic systems and the need for these technologies to operate effectively in diverse and unpredictable agricultural environments. Four Growers is addressing these challenges by focusing on greenhouse environments, which offer controlled conditions conducive to automation.
Future Plans and Outlook
Looking ahead, Four Growers plans to expand its robotic solutions to harvest other crops, such as cucumbers and peppers, thereby broadening its market reach. The company also aims to enhance its data analytics capabilities to provide growers with actionable insights into crop health and yield optimization. With the recent funding, Four Growers is well-positioned to scale its operations, invest in research and development, and solidify its role as a leader in agricultural robotics.
Conclusion
Four Growers’ recent $9 million funding round marks a significant milestone in the advancement of agricultural robotics. By leveraging cutting-edge technology to address labor shortages and improve efficiency in greenhouse farming, the company is poised to make a substantial impact on the future of agriculture. As the industry continues to evolve, Four Growers’ innovative solutions offer a promising path toward sustainable and efficient food production.
