Chemical and pharmaceutical producer Bayer led a $10.5m series A round for US-based crop protection technology developer Guardian Agriculture yesterday through corporate venture capital vehicle Leaps by Bayer.
Agribusiness Wilbur-Ellis and chemical provider FMC Corporation also took part in the round, through Cavallo Ventures and FMC Ventures respectively, while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-affiliated E14 Fund, Fall Line Capital, Pillar VC and Neoteny also invested.
Guardian Agriculture has developed electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft that analyse data from the air to inform users about crop protection. The startup said it has now secured $15.5m altogether without describing details of its earlier funding.
Cavallo Ventures CEO Mike Wilbur said: “This is the first new aerial technology to make a material impact on American farms. We believe it can be profitably, and rapidly, deployed and are looking forward to working with Guardian Agriculture to roll out their technology to our customers and partners.”
