Four Growers, a Pittsburgh-based robotics company, has successfully raised US$9 million in a Series A funding round. This brings the total venture funding raised by the company to US$15 million. The company plans to use this new funding to scale the production of its GR-100 harvesting platform and address labor shortages in agriculture.
The round was led by Basset Capital, with contributions from Ospraie Ag Science, Y Combinator, and other existing investors.
Founded in 2018 by Brandon Contino and Dan Chi, Four Growers emerged from hands-on work in a greenhouse environment. During the development of their produce-harvesting robots, the team spent nearly an entire year coding and testing their technology in the very place it was designed to serve. This intense process eventually led to the creation of robots capable of autonomously harvesting crops.
The Technology Behind the Robots
Four Growers’ robots are equipped with multiple stereo cameras that help identify produce at the ideal level of ripeness, a crucial factor that varies depending on the farmer’s needs. The robots can maneuver around unripe fruit on the vine, which allows them to selectively harvest crops. Currently, the technology works with tomatoes, and plans are in place to expand it to other crops, such as cucumbers.
Addressing Labor Shortages in Agriculture
The issue of labor shortages is one of the most pressing challenges faced by farmers today. According to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s 2024 labor report, the agricultural sector is experiencing a critical shortage of workers, and this issue is expected to persist. The lack of sufficient labor for harvesting crops is a major problem, as crops left unharvested can rot and result in lost profits for farms. Four Growers’ robots offer a solution by providing additional support in harvesting, enabling farmers to keep up with the demands of frequent harvest cycles that are characteristic of greenhouse farming.
The Greenhouse Focus
While many outdoor farms also struggle with labor shortages, Four Growers specifically focuses on greenhouse farms. Greenhouses offer the advantage of year-round production, closer proximity to consumers and a more efficient growing environment. Company noted that greenhouse farms require frequent harvesting, making them an ideal target for robotic technology.
Recent Growth and Future Plans
Since launching its current iteration of robots in 2023, Four Growers has begun working with five customers, and its robots have already harvested millions of tomatoes. With the new funding, the company plans to build additional robots to meet the growing demand for its technology.
Looking ahead, Four Growers aims to expand beyond greenhouse farms and into outdoor farming. The company is also exploring opportunities to expand its technology beyond harvesting. The company emphasized that its goal is not to replace workers but to augment the workforce. As labor becomes increasingly scarce, Four Growers’ robots help farmers increase efficiency and allow individual workers to handle more tasks, thus improving productivity.
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The Agrotech Landscape
Four Growers is not alone in tackling labor shortages through robotics. Other companies, such as Carbon Robotics, Blue River Technology, and Bear Flag Robotics, have raised substantial venture capital to develop agricultural robotics. However, Four Growers believes it is in a unique position, focusing on existing farms rather than launching new farming ventures like vertical farms, which can be costly and challenging. Vertical farms, in particular, have faced difficulties, as demonstrated by Bowery Farms’ recent closure due to crop diseases and tight margins.
With its latest funding round, Four Growers is poised to scale its operations and enhance its technology to address labor shortages in agriculture. The company’s robots have the potential to increase harvesting efficiency and allow farmers to better meet the demands of modern farming.
