The information in this article is based on a report first published by Jennifer Marston at AgFunder News.
Key Takeaways:
- Israel-based SeeTree raised $17.5 million in Series C funding, led by HSBC Asset Management and EBRD.
- New investors OurCrowd and SmartAgro, along with existing investors, also contributed.
- Funding aims to expand the range of crops and extend operations in Latin America, North America, Ukraine, and Asia-Pacific.
- SeeTree’s platform digitizes tree health monitoring using advanced technologies like AI, drones, and ground sensors.
Revolutionizing Tree Health Monitoring
Founded in 2017, SeeTree has transformed traditional monitoring methods for tree health. Before SeeTree, orchard, and forest management primarily relied on human scouts and labor-intensive data collection. CEO Israel Talpaz emphasized the inefficiency of this process, leading to resource wastage and suboptimal tree productivity.
Advanced Technologies for Precision Agriculture
SeeTree’s platform integrates military-grade drones, ground sensors, AI, multi-spectral imaging, and in-field data collection. This innovative approach allows for precise analysis of each tree at scale, creating what Talpaz calls an “affordable tree operating system.” This system enables growers to monitor tree health efficiently, providing a health score for each tree and identifying underperforming ones, significantly impacting overall productivity.
Expanding Global Footprint and Crop Diversity
Having raised over $60 million, SeeTree manages approximately 400 million trees across continents, with operations in Brazil, the USA, Mexico, South Africa, and a development center in Ukraine. The Series C funding will expand the company into new crops and regions. Currently, the platform supports crops like citrus, palms, eucalyptus, avocado, and forests.
The Future of Tree Intelligence
Pasha Romanovski, the founding partner at Hanaco Ventures, praises SeeTree as a “leading authority in tree intelligence.” The company’s vision to become a comprehensive management platform for farmers is well on its way, with its ever-expanding global presence and technological advancements. SeeTree’s mission to optimize tree crop management through data-driven services promises a transformation in tree farming, benefiting growers, consumers, and the environment.
SeeTree’s Series C funding marks a significant step in advancing agricultural technology. By digitizing tree health monitoring and expanding globally, SeeTree is poised to revolutionize how orchards and forests are managed, contributing to more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.
Image provided by SeeTree
