The same is true around the world, as our special feature on agriculture technology (agtech) identified at the end of last year.
Naspers led Aerobotics, a South Africa-based agriculture tools supplier’s, B round in May 2020 as deal values more than doubled last year. Aerobotics’ technology helps track and assess the health of crop trees by using drones, artificial intelligence (AI) and software.
And technology advancements in robotics, computer vision and AI are reducing the cost to build and operate vertical or indoor farming facilities – also known as controlled environment agriculture (CEA) – to improve productivity.
Data provider Pitchbook noted “investor interest in CEA surged in 2020, reaching $929m invested across 41 deals in the US”.
Sustainability issues around the use of land and water, allied to animal health and wellness trends, and innovations in manipulating molecular structures to create proteins and cells and physical plants has created a burning platform for incumbents and personnel changes, such as Erin VanLanduit’s hire by crop company Cargill this year.
Corporate-backed deals in Agriculture & Ag Tech 2011-20
