Key Takeaways
- Significant Funding Round: Seederal secures €7.1 million from Supernova Invest and other prominent investors to fuel the development of its electric tractor.
- Enhanced R&D and Recruitment: Funds will boost research and development efforts and accelerate hiring, reinforcing Seederal’s pioneering role in sustainable agricultural machinery.
- Support from France 2030: Besides investor funding, Seederal received a €3.7 million grant from the France 2030 program, further endorsing its innovative approach.
- Focus on Medium-Power Tractors: Unlike other electric tractor projects that target lower power ranges, Seederal focuses on the 100-200 horsepower segment, addressing core agricultural needs.
- Environmental Impact: Seederal’s electric tractors aim to significantly reduce carbon emissions, substantially decreasing carbon footprint per unit.
Seederal’s Ambitious Path to Decarbonize Agriculture
In a recent strategic move, the Brittany-based industrial startup Seederal announced a successful €7.1 million funding round led by Supernova Invest. Contributions came from Ankaa Ventures, Unilis (Groupe Unigrains), CA Morbihan Expansion, Kima Ventures, and longstanding partners such as Xplore by Épopée Gestion and Breizh Up. This financial injection will accelerate the development and commercialization of Seederal’s innovative electric tractor designed specifically for agricultural tasks.
Technological Advancements and Market Expansion
Following a successful initial fundraise in 2022 and backing from Bpifrance, the Brittany Region, and Crédit Agricole Finistère, Seederal has progressed from prototyping to refining its electric tractor. The latest funding round aims to extend research and development activities and speed up recruitment processes, ensuring Seederal remains at the forefront of the decarbonized agricultural machinery market.
Seederal’s electric tractor, boasting a robust 160 horsepower, is designed to meet the demanding tasks of modern farming. The company utilizes a unique chassis-battery system that mirrors innovations seen in companies like Tesla, achieving optimal energy density and operational efficiency.
A Vision Supported by Significant Funding
Antoine Venet, CEO and co-founder of Seederal emphasized the significance of the new investments and government support: “The backing from the France 2030 program, the arrival of new esteemed investors, and the continued trust of our existing backers underscore the relevance of our approach. We recently reached a milestone by proving our prototype’s capacity to handle the most demanding applications, and this funding round will help us take the next step: confirming the high autonomy of our tractors for field applications.”
With a total of €11 million in secured funding, Seederal is poised to enhance its technological development and begin the phase of industrialization. The team is expected to grow significantly in both Rennes and Brest over the next 18 months.
Environmental Impact and Market Potential
Seederal’s focus on medium-power tractors, ranging from 100 to 200 horsepower, targets a significant European agricultural machinery market segment. This segment, characterized by its versatility, accounts for more than half of the tractors sold annually in Europe, with sales exceeding €9 billion.
The environmental stakes are high, as agricultural machinery accounts for 2% of annual greenhouse gas emissions and 3% of energy consumption in France. Seederal’s electric tractors aim to reduce carbon emissions by 15 to 20 tonnes per unit annually, equivalent to the emissions from 17 cars yearly.
Future Outlook
Arthur Rivoal, CTO/CVO and co-founder of Seederal highlighted the broader implications of their technology: “The tractor centralizes all steps of the crop cycle from preparation to harvest. It is a pivotal tool for energy and food security. The support from financial partners and the France 2030 program demonstrates the importance of delivering a scalable decarbonized solution, and we are the pioneers in developing the technical foundations to do so.”
Image provided by Seederal
