Anand Mahindra, Arali Ventures invest in AI agritech startup Harvested Robotics

Agritech startup raised funding from Anand Mahindra

Harvested Robotics, which claims to have developed AI-driven laser weeding technology for tractors, has raised Rs 5 crore in a seed funding round led by Arali Ventures. Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra and Country Delight co-founder Chakradhar Gade also participated in the round, co-founder Rahul Arepaka told Moneycontrol.

Founded in 2023 by Arepaka and George Mathew, the Hyderabad-based company aims to provide farmers with a sustainable and a chemical-free alternative to traditional weed management.

The funding will be used for product development, building the team, and conducting pilots.

According to Arepaka, despite being in the early stages, Harvested Robotics received expressions of interest from more than 90 farmers. “We gained this traction with only an idea and a website. The demand suggests a need for an efficient, chemical-free solution to weed management,” he said.

The startup began as an idea in a university dorm room of Mahindra University in Hyderabad where the founders studied.

Arepaka has a background in robotics and Mathew in software. The founders started the company in their final year of university.

The company's product is an AI-powered laser weeder that attaches to tractors. It uses cameras and AI models to detect weeds and robotic actuators with high-power lasers to burn them in real-time.

The technology aims to reduce costs for farmers, increase yields, and promote organic farming practices. The technology ensures precise weed removal without damaging crops, the company said.

The idea of the startup came after conversations with local farmers revealed the high costs and labour involved in current weed control methods, prompting the creation of Harvested Robotics.

Arepaka said angel investors’ faith in the product reinforces the importance and value of such a solution.

“Mahindra has a history of supporting innovation and technology in agriculture. Gade has experience in building consumer-focused businesses and understanding market demand; both of which will help us go to the market faster and deeper,” he said.