Ag robotics startup Naïo will relaunch under new leadership after highly publicized financial difficulties and a judicial reorganization process earlier this year.
A narrower focus on specific machines in the Naïo repertoire will provide options for smaller farms that often have less access to robotics and automation, says Matthias Carriere, a longtime sales director for Naïo and part of the new executive team along with entrepreneur Antoine Monville.
Why it matters:
Robotics aren’t unheard of in small-scale agriculture, but their high upfront costs make it harder for these growers to get a timely return on their investment.
While other companies, including Burro and Carbon Robotics, have some options for small farms, Naïo’s compact size, all-electric design, and lower price point make it highly accessible for even those farming just a handful of acres.
Naïo 2.0 will focus on the company’s “market gardening assistant” machine Oz and its autonomous straddler TED; these machines cater to market gardeners and vineyards, respectively.
What’s next:
Founded back in 2011, Naïo is widely considered an early pioneer in ag robotics. The company’s recent difficulties were due to a number of macro and micro factors, from the gloomy state of agtech to spending too much time on too many projects, according to Carriere.
In addition to focusing on just two machines, the new action plan involves:
- Scaling up production capacity
- Expanding Naïo’s European distribution network
- Consolidating R&D activities
- Reaching operational balance by 2028
- Producing 100 robots per year and reaching €11 million in annual revenue by 2030
Existing financial partners including Mirova, Bpifrance, and the Occitanie Region in France (through its ARIS fund) are backing the relaunch with a €6.4 million financing plan.
These partners know Naïo technology very well, says Carriere.
“Even [during] the struggling situation, they’ve been really confident in the fact that there is a future for ag robots and that Naïo, as a pioneer, needs to be there.”
The post Ag robotics startup Naïo bounces back after a year of financial turmoil appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- Source: https://agfundernews.com/ag-robotics-startup-naio-bounces-back-after-a-year-of-financial-turmoil
