​Express interest in investing in Fund V.

AgFunder is a top 100 VC, according to TIME and Statista.

Is your business ready for AI analytics? Find out more here.

This week, Elaine caught up with David Protein founder Peter Rahal after his $250m Series B and took a deep dive into ag robotics at Reservoir Farms to learn how startups are starting to build more flexible 'bots, more quickly.

Elsewhere, Jenn quizzed PepsiCo on how to support the next generation of farmers.

Plus:

• David Protein: Medici Brands nets $250m Series B on $2.25bn valuation​
• Physical AI: Is ag robotics becoming more investable?​
• Laser weeding: Carbon Robotics’ path to an IPO​
• AI-powered autonomy: Bonsai Robotics goes from 2D pics to 3D worlds ​
• Chemical-free ag: TRIC Robotics scales UV-C tech to 1,500 acres
• Data vs insight: ‘A million numbers in a spreadsheet is not a product,’ says Orchard Robotics​

And finally… "There are a lot of players that produce over 100,000t/year of byproducts and they're looking for new solutions," says biomass fermentation expert MOA Foodtech, which has just netted new funds to help turn these side streams into high value food ingredients.

Have a great weekend! Louisa, Jenn, and Elaine

​‘One of the fastest-growing CPG brands in America…’ David Protein owner hits $2.25bn valuation on $250m Series B​

Peter Rahal is moving into new territory with the launch of HallPass, pitched as the “Coke Zero of candy," and chips brand Rowdy. Elaine Watson

🎥 ‘The whole system is now more investable’: Reservoir makes the case for ag robotics​

Advances in AI, perception and edge computing, plus more off-the-shelf tech, are helping startups build more flexible ag robots faster, says Reservoir founder Danny Bernstein. Elaine Watson

🎥 From 2D images to 3D worlds: Bonsai bets on AI-powered farm robotics​

Bonsai Robotics has a vision-based autonomy stack that can turn 2D camera images into a scaled 3D understanding of the farm environment. Elaine Watson

🎥 Carbon Robotics: $100m+ revenue, new machine and a path to IPO​

We caught up with Carbon Robotics founder Paul Mikesell to discuss the economics of laser weeding and the firm's path toward an IPO. Elaine Watson

🎥 TRIC Robotics scales to 1,500 strawberry acres with 15-robot fleet​

TRIC Robotics deploys a fleet of autonomous robots that apply UV-C light to tackle mites, mildew, and mold, coupled with bug vacuums. Elaine Watson

🎥 Orchard Robotics CEO: Growers ‘shouldn’t have to be data analysts’​

“In the first year, if a grower sees full value from labor and input savings, they can see anywhere from three to 10x ROI," says CEO Charlie Wu. Elaine Watson

​MOA Foodtech nets $3.8m to scale AI-powered biomass fermentation platform​

MOA Foodtech grows non-GMO yeast strains that convert a wide variety of food and ag side streams into high-value ingredients. Elaine Watson

​With young farmers struggling, PepsiCo explores ways to keep agriculture ‘a viable and attractive livelihood’​

With a deficit of younger farmers around the world, a local-meets-global approach is critical for closing the generation gap. Jennifer Marston

​AgriFood Signals: Remembering Wendell Berry, Farmland LP’s new fund, Dairy Queen robots​

Plus: California creates non UPF food seal. Jennifer Marston

​UPSIDE Foods terminates $50m bid for Believer Meats’ US site but “remains interested in the facility”​

According to the receiver, UPSIDE terminated its asset purchase agreement in mid-August. No other qualifying bids have been received. Elaine Watson

​Exclusive: Plantd converts a construction waste problem into revenue with new biochar line​

The company moves a step closer to a fully closed-loop manufacturing process for its alt-construction materials. Jennifer Marston

​CropX acquires NIR spectroscopy firm SCIO in biggest deal yet, eyes profitability in 2027​

CropX is approaching an ARR of $20 million, says CEO Tomer Tzach, who is eyeing profitability in 2027. Elaine Watson

​Tech pays, but adoption lags on the farm - Featuring Verdant Robotics!

Progressive Farmer

​Farmers’ ‘agritech fatigue’ a warning for tech startups​

Farmers Weekly

​European alt-protein funding rises 56% as grants and loans fill the venture gap​

Vegconomist

​Trump puts tariffs of up to 100% on foreign-made drones​

New York Times

​Small bugs, big breakthroughs​

Bill Gates

​Vertical farming’s engineering hangover​

LinkedIn

​UK plant-based meat remains 34% pricier as Dutch market reaches parity ​

Protein Production Technology

​Farm Bureau says beef import plan may undermine cattle recovery​

AgDaily

​Fertilizer: Navigating a volatile phosphorus and potassium market in 2027​

CropLife

​2026 Global AgriFoodTech Investment Report​

​​​2025 Developing Markets AgriFoodTech Investment Report​

​​2025 Global AgriFoodTech Investment Report

​​10 years in agrifoodtech: an 83-page e-zine​

​Climate Capital: Financing Adaptation Pathways for Smallholder Farmers​

​>>More AgFunder research​

​Facilities and maintenance technician​

Future Fields (Edmonton, Canada)

​Process development intern​

Phagos (Suresnes, France)

​Executive assistant​

Faeth Therapeutics (remote)

​Team leader candidate, R&D department ​

IntegriCulture inc. (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan)

​Senior key account executive, new business ​

Klim (Berlin, Germany)

​Key account manager (modern trade)​

Eratani (Jakarta, Indonesia)

​Telecallers – Punjabi & Hindi​

Varaha (Remote)

♥️ our newsletter? Forward to a friend or subscribe here​