In the world of agriculture, automation has long transformed the landscapes of row crops like corn and wheat, slashing costs and boosting efficiency. Yet, fruits and vegetables—a cornerstone of human diets—have largely resisted the march of mechanization. High labor costs, frequent shortages, and the logistical challenges of handling delicate crops have left much of the sector dependent on manual labor. But a Pittsburgh-based startup, Four Growers, is determined to change this narrative with cutting-edge robotics. Their vision is reshaping the future of greenhouse agriculture, and their recent $9 million Series A funding round is a testament to the growing belief in their mission.
At the heart of Four Growers’ innovation is the GR-100, an AI-driven robotic harvesting system designed to tackle some of agriculture’s most persistent challenges. This remarkable robot is not just about replacing human labor—it’s about elevating farming to a level of precision and scalability previously thought unattainable. Capable of harvesting crops five times faster than its closest competitors and navigating motion planning algorithms 34 times quicker than standard models, the GR-100 is a technological marvel. Its eight stereo cameras and proprietary AI allow it to identify ripeness with 98% accuracy, ensuring that no ripe tomato or cucumber is left behind, while unripe crops remain undisturbed.
The technology’s impact is already rippling through farms across North America and Europe, with Four Growers proving its efficacy on greenhouse tomatoes—a crop that accounts for half of the fresh tomatoes consumed in the U.S. According to Brandon Contino, the company’s co-founder and CEO, this success is just the beginning. “Starting with greenhouse tomatoes, our technology has demonstrated its versatility across other crops like cucumbers,” Contino explained. The funds from this latest investment round will accelerate production, expand research and development, and scale deployments across North America, Europe, and Oceania.
A Story of Innovation Born in the Greenhouse
The journey of Four Growers is one of relentless curiosity and ingenuity. Founded by Contino and Dan Chi in 2018, the startup emerged from humble beginnings—quite literally within the rows of a greenhouse. For a year, the duo immersed themselves in the environment they sought to revolutionize, coding from a corner desk and testing prototypes in real-time alongside crops. Fertilizer bags doubled as beds during long nights of experimentation. Their dedication paid off, culminating in a product that could solve one of the industry’s most pressing pain points: labor shortages.
Labor scarcity in agriculture is not a new issue. It’s a crisis decades in the making, with compounding factors from demographic shifts to policy challenges. A 2024 report from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture highlights the severity of this problem, calling it a “critical shortage.” In greenhouse operations, which harvest year-round, the labor gap is even more pronounced. Four Growers recognized the urgency and potential of targeting this niche, opting to innovate for greenhouses rather than riskier vertical farming ventures.
“We always heard that labor was the number one pain point,” said Contino, reflecting on conversations with farmers. The decision to focus on existing greenhouses rather than starting a vertical farming operation—an industry facing growing pains and financial collapses—proved strategic. Greenhouses, which offer near-continuous production and proximity to consumers, represent an ideal testing ground for robotics solutions like the GR-100.
Backed by Visionary Investors
The confidence of investors in Four Growers is another indicator of the company’s bright future. Leading the Series A round was Basset Capital, joined by Ospraie Ag Science, Y Combinator, and existing backers such as Better Food Ventures and Xplorer Capital. To date, Four Growers has raised over $15 million, laying the groundwork for their ambitious scaling plans.
John Overbeck of Basset Capital underscored the transformative potential of Four Growers’ approach. “Their use of robotics and AI offers transformative potential for boosting productivity and efficiency. We are confident in their continued leadership in agricultural innovation.”
Strategic partnerships have also been key to Four Growers’ growth. Collaborations with global leaders like Syngenta Vegetable Seeds have broadened the startup’s impact, enabling its technology to integrate seamlessly into existing agricultural systems. As the indoor farming sector, valued at $40.5 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.3% through 2033, Four Growers is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this expanding market.
Building a Future of Sustainable Agriculture
Four Growers’ vision goes beyond automation. By enhancing the efficiency of greenhouse farming, the company addresses broader issues of sustainability and food security. The GR-100 doesn’t just pick crops; it reduces waste, optimizes yields, and ensures that farmers can meet growing demand with fewer resources. The company’s emphasis on augmentation rather than replacement reflects a forward-thinking approach to automation. “As the labor force shrinks, it’s about putting workers in more comfortable positions and allowing one person to do a lot more,” Contino said.
As Four Growers looks to expand its technology beyond greenhouses to outdoor farms, the ripple effects of its innovation are likely to reshape agriculture at large. Their story—of persistence, creativity, and adaptability—serves as a model for the next generation of agtech startups. With the support of their investors and the promise of their groundbreaking technology, Four Growers is poised to lead the way in creating a sustainable, automated, and efficient agricultural future.
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