Autonomous mushroom harvesting technology expands with $29 million Series B funding from 4AG Robotics
In the world of agriculture, a Canadian startup named 4AG Robotics is leading the charge in the advancement of autonomous mushroom harvesting technology. The company has recently secured CAD 40 million ($29 million) in Series B funding, a significant investment that will accelerate global deployment and development of new features [1].
4AG Robotics' technology is a testament to the power of AI, computer vision, precision suction grippers, and advanced motion control. These systems autonomously pick, trim, and pack mushrooms around the clock, operating 24/7 and collecting detailed data on mushroom size, weight, and growth conditions [2].
The unique selling point of 4AG's technology lies in its ability to learn and adapt quickly, a trait that is particularly valuable in agriculture due to the rapid growth cycles of mushrooms. This rapid learning rate allows for the optimization of picking strategies based on data collected from each mushroom harvest [2].
The funds raised will be used to expand 4AG's customer support team and increase production at its facility in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. This expansion is expected to further boost the technology's global reach, with plans to expand into the Netherlands and the United States [1].
Currently, 4AG's autonomous mushroom harvesting technology is operational in leading mushroom farms in Canada, Ireland, Australia. The technology has been designed to retrofit into existing Dutch-rack infrastructure, making it an accessible solution for many farms [3].
The technology aims to slash labor costs in the mushroom industry, where harvesting accounts for up to 50% of production. By reducing labor dependency, 4AG's technology offers significant potential for the mushroom industry, enabling 24/7 operation and increasing productivity [1].
4AG Robotics provides ongoing support and maintenance as a key part of its service, with service level agreements in place to ensure confidence in the robots' performance. The training process for human replacements takes 10-12 weeks [4].
The technology improves quality and yield, and provides a wealth of data that growers can use to further optimize operations. However, 4AG Robotics has not yet announced plans to look at other crops, but they express a desire to do so in the future [4].
The funding round was led by Astanor and Cibus Capital, with support from Voyager Capital, InBC, Emmertech, BDC Industrial Innovation Fund, Jim Richardson Family Office, and Stray Dog Capital [1]. Despite the funding, 4AG Robotics continues to manufacture in Canada, demonstrating a commitment to local industry.
4AG's COO and CEO have discussed the possibility of applying the technology to a broader range of delicate crops. The company is proud to be in the small group of companies that have replaced human hands in produce item picking and assembly [5].
In conclusion, autonomous mushroom harvesting technology is currently a commercial reality with growing adoption and substantial investment backing. Its future potential lies in transforming mushroom farming by improving efficiency, reducing labor dependency, enabling precision agriculture practices, and driving industry consolidation through automation.
References: [1] TechCrunch. (2025, July). 4AG Robotics raises $29 million for autonomous mushroom harvesting. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/12/4ag-robotics-raises-29-million-for-autonomous-mushroom-harvesting/ [2] AgFunderNews. (2025, July). 4AG Robotics Raises $40 Million to Automate Mushroom Harvesting. Retrieved from https://agfundernews.com/4ag-robotics-raises-40-million-to-automate-mushroom-harvesting/ [3] Fresh Plaza. (2025, July). 4AG Robotics Raises $40M for Autonomous Mushroom Harvesting. Retrieved from https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9878194/4ag-robotics-raises-40m-for-autonomous-mushroom-harvesting/ [4] The Spoon. (2025, July). 4AG Robotics Raises $40M to Automate Mushroom Harvesting. Retrieved from https://thespoon.tech/4ag-robotics-raises-40m-to-automate-mushroom-harvesting/ [5] The Globe and Mail. (2025, July). 4AG Robotics raises $40M to automate mushroom harvesting. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-4ag-robotics-raises-40m-to-automate-mushroom-harvesting/
The Series B funding secured by 4AG Robotics indicates a strong investment interest in the intersection of finance and technology, specifically in artificial intelligence and automation for the agriculture industry. This investment will not only boost business growth but also foster the development of new autonomous harvesting features.
The success of 4AG's technology showcases the potential of AI and automation to revolutionize traditional business operations, such as mushroom farming, by improving efficiency, reducing labor costs, and providing valuable data for analysis and decision-making in the finance and investing sectors.
