Automation Startups
Economic Templates WG launched Economic Templates so that growers can do the economics on their operation. WG provides the spreadsheet, the growers do their math. WG Assist helps growers collect economic data, enabling them to calculate their baseline and evaluate the potential impact of automation before making a purchase. Case Studies Launched this program and delivered case studies with detailed economics for Carbon Robotics and Stout Industrial Technology. These case studies help growers understand the economics of automation solutions by establishing the underlying labor economics as a baseline and then measuring the incremental impact of the automation on the grower’s economics. Based on the WG Case Study highlighting Carbon Robotics’ success with key WG members, the company secured $70 million in funding, bringing its total to over $150 million. Two high-profile investors, Nvidia and BOND, have also joined its Board of Directors. WGCIT The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology is currently housing 55 agtech startups, with a focus on biological and automation solutions.
Launched Reservoir Farms—the first specialty crop robotics incubator with field acreage available for trials and demos— with partners UC ANR, HawkTower, Hartnell College and Merced College. The first two locations in Merced and Salinas Valley are set to open in 2025, with strong interest from several automation startups. FIRA The third FIRA USA in Yolo County was the best yet, with over 1,000 attendees on day one, 500 grower sign-ups (thanks to free admission) and record-breaking exhibitors and field demos. We’ll return to Yolo in 2025 with an improved layout. Expect more immersion trips, off-site FIRA USA events and county fairgrounds events in the future.
Technology
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