Upside Robotics is reducing fertilizer use and waste in corn crops

6 hours ago

Upside Robotics was founded in 2024 by Jana Tian and Sam Dugan to address fertilizer waste in agriculture using autonomous robots.
The company builds lightweight, solar-powered robots that deliver precise amounts of fertilizer to crops based on proprietary algorithms analyzing weather and soil data.
Initially focused on corn, one of the most fertilizer-intensive crops, the founders tested their concept manually in fields, living in a camper to stay close to the farms.
Upside Robotics expanded from 70 acres in 2024 to 1,200 acres in 2025, with plans to serve over 3,000 acres in 2026, achieving 100% customer retention.
The robots have helped farmers reduce fertilizer use by 70%, saving approximately $150 per acre per season.
The company raised a $7.5 million seed round led by Plural, with participation from Garage Capital and Clearpath Robotics founders, to fund R&D and expand into the U.S. corn belt.
Farmers have been receptive to the technology, often requesting the solution due to its clear return on investment and practical benefits.

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