[Disclosure: AgFunderNews’ parent company is AgFunder.]
Venture capital funding for agrifood robotics and mechanization is down again, dropping 36% from $168 million in Q2 to $108 million in Q3, according to preliminary data from AgFunder.
The latter figure also represents a 57% year-over-year decline vs Q3 2024, when the AgFunder-defined Robotics, Mechanization & Equipment category raised $252 million across 11 deals.
Funding for the category for all of 2025 so far is $412 million.
All of these numbers are in line with the rest of agrifoodtech funding for Q3, which was down 32% from the previous quarter. That drop is almost a 50% decrease from Q3 2024.
The Robotics, Mechanization & Equipment category includes on-farm machinery, automation tools, and drones.
While funding to the category is down, it’s important to reiterate the figures are preliminary, based on currently available data. These numbers could likely increase in the coming weeks as more data becomes available.
Top rounds: Q1–Q3 2025
Weed control remains the top area for ag robotics, and multiple companies addressing it raised funds this year.
One is Australia’s SwarmFarm Robotics, which raised $30 million. Its autonomous machines and corresponding software are, relative to most farming equipment, lightweight, versatile, and easily programmable. The company’s bread and butter continues to be weeding, but in recent years it has also branched out into precision application of crop protection products as well as slashing and mowing.
Numerous other startups are addressing the weed management issue through various technologies, from laser weeders to thermal micro-jetting. Those who raised funding in 2025 so far include TRIC Robotics, Rootwave, and Red Barn Robotics.
Outside of weeding, another compelling company is Beewise. Its solar-powered “Beehome” illustrates the role AI and automation can play in reversing bee colony losses, which remain higher than average in 2025.
Beewise says its Beehomes enable more precise, around-the-clock monitoring of bee hives and health, and can help hives stave off harm from monoculture health problems, chemical inputs, and other threats.
Funding by region: Q1–Q3 2025
North America, and the United States in particular, continues to lead funding for the category. For the first three quarters of 2025, it was followed by Asia (including Israel), then Europe.
In North America, the bulk of deals came from US-based startups, with just one (4AG Robotics’ Series B) round from Canada. US companies came from a variety of states across the country.
Nearly half of Asia’s $110 million in funding went to Beewise’s $50 million Series D round. There were also a number of undisclosed rounds from Asian startups in Q3.
‘Increasingly integral to modern agriculture’
This week also marked the launch of The Mixing Bowl’s 2025 Crop Robotics Landscape, the latest version of the organization’s ongoing market map series.
The Mixing Bowl noted a “continued evolution” across the crop robotics sector. New entrants, maturing technologies, and a growing convergence of robotics, sensing, and artificial intelligence reflect an ecosystem that is dynamic and increasingly integral to modern agriculture.
“Compared to 2024, the new Landscape shows continued traction in autonomy for row crops, stronger commercial activity in weeding, and an increased pipeline of startups offering autonomous tractors, smaller platform/carriers, and scouting and application drones.”
Further reading:
The ‘AI farming company’ Orchard Robotics bags $22m to expand precision ag platform
🎥‘Like a Roomba for vineyards…’ Bien Nacido puts Saga Robotics’ UV-C robots to the test
4AG Robotics raises $29m Series B to expand autonomous mushroom harvesting tech
Armed with fresh funds, TRIC Robotics plans aggressive fleet expansion across CA’s strawberry fields
