#Canada #4AG Robotics #Salmon Arm #autonomous harvesting #mushroom technology

4AG Robotics Secures $40 Million Series B Funding

In a significant move for the agricultural technology landscape, 4AG Robotics, a leader in autonomous mushroom harvesting, has announced the closure of a $40 million Series B funding round. The announcement came on July 29, 2025, as the company aims to boost its global adoption of robotic mushroom harvesting, marking a pivotal moment in optimizing labor processes within the agriculture sector.

This new funding is primarily led by Astanor and Cibus Capital, alongside participation from notable investors such as Voyager Capital, InBC, Emmertech, and others. This funding cycle follows an earlier successful raise of $17.5 million in 2023, bringing the cumulative funding to an impressive $57.5 million over two years.

Addressing Global Demand for Automation

As the demand for efficient and scalable agricultural solutions rises, 4AG Robotics is set to expand its innovative technology to various markets. The platform, currently operational in countries like Canada, Ireland, and Australia, is also slated for deployment in the Netherlands and the United States soon. This expansion comes at a time when the global mushroom market is projected to surpass $70 billion by 2030, making the need for automation in this space more urgent than ever due to labor shortages and production cost pressures.

Sean O'Connor, CEO of 4AG Robotics, expressed his excitement regarding the funding: "This financing helps us transition from a startup to a growth-stage company, validating that our product works and enabling us to scale our manufacturing capacity to meet a burgeoning demand. In just two and a half years, we shifted from trial requests to orders for 40 additional robots. We are at the forefront of a new era in mushroom cultivation."

Advanced Robotic Technology

4AG’s state-of-the-art system employs AI-powered computer vision, precision suction grippers, and advanced movement control technology to autonomously harvest, trim, and package mushrooms around the clock, eliminating the need for manual labor. Each robotic unit integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure, ensuring consistent quality while reducing labor costs and offering real-time operational data to producers.

Chris Payne, the COO of 4AG Robotics, highlighted the real-world application of their technology: "What sets us apart is our ability to operate in complex agricultural environments rather than just controlled lab settings, providing commercially successful automation solutions."

Future of Agriculture with Robotics

The entry of Astanor as a major partner underscores the investment firm’s confidence in the potential impact of robotics on mushroom farming. Harry Briggs, a partner at Astanor Ventures, noted, "Of all agricultural sectors, mushrooms are the most suited for robotic solutions. 4AG is not only the clear global leader today but also has the capability to enhance yields and reduce inputs across the industry through advancements in AI and rich image data."

Cibus Capital, known for investing in agri-food technologies in the UK, echoed similar sentiments about the significant opportunities for robotic and AI applications in mushroom cultivation. Archie Burgess, an investment director at Cibus, stated, "The phenomenal team at 4AG has developed a robotic fleet capable of harvesting one million mushrooms weekly, and we are excited to support their growth trajectory."

Strategic Growth Plans

The infusion of capital will allow 4AG Robotics to:

• - Expand its manufacturing footprint in Salmon Arm, BC.
• - Develop field service and customer support teams.
• - Accelerate innovations such as tray packaging, disease detection, and AI-driven yield optimization.

Michelle Lim, VP of Growth at 4AG, summarized the company's vision: "We’re not merely building robots; we’re creating a new operating system for the mushroom industry. Farmers require technology that delivers immediate results, offers a ROI in under three years, and scales globally. This funding allows us to expedite that vision."

As 4AG Robotics gears up for significant growth in the years ahead, its commitment to transforming the mushroom harvesting process through intelligent automation positions it as a trailblazer in agricultural technology, poised to meet the future demands of the industry.