Pittsburgh-based agtech company Four Growers, founded by Brandon Contino and Dan Chi, has secured $9 million in a Series A funding round led by Basset Capital, with participation from Y Combinator, Ospraie Ag Science, and other investors. This brings the company’s total funding to $15 million. Contino said the funds will be used to scale production of its robots to meet growing demand.
Four Growers develops robots that autonomously harvest crops in greenhouses by using stereo cameras to identify ripe produce and navigate delicate vines. Initially designed for tomatoes, the technology will soon support crops like cucumbers, according to Contino. Since launching its latest robot in 2023, the company has worked with five customers and harvested millions of tomatoes.
Contino explained that the idea for Four Growers emerged after speaking with farmers about their biggest challenges. He said, “Labor was the number one pain point for them.” This aligns with a 2024 report from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, which described a “critical shortage” of agricultural workers.
The company targets greenhouse farms due to their year-round growing capacity, proximity to consumers, and frequent harvest schedules. Contino noted that greenhouses present a better market opportunity compared to vertical farming, which he described as costly and operationally challenging.
Four Growers plans to extend its technology to outdoor farms in the future while enhancing its current capabilities. Contino emphasized that the robots are designed to complement human labor rather than replace it. “It’s more of an augmentation,” he said, adding that the robots help streamline operations by allowing fewer workers to accomplish more tasks.
The company operates in a competitive market, with peers like Carbon Robotics and others innovating in farm efficiency. Contino said Four Growers stands out by focusing on delivering solutions for existing farms rather than launching new farming ventures.
With its latest funding, Four Growers aims to address pressing labor challenges in agriculture while scaling its impact in the rapidly evolving agtech sector.
