Harvested Robotics, an agritech startup pioneering AI-powered laser weeders, has secured ₹5 crore in a seed funding round. The round was led by Arali Ventures with participation from Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, and Chakradhar Gade, co-founder of Country Delight.
Founded in 2023 by Rahul Arepaka and George Mathew, the startup is on a mission to revolutionize weed management in agriculture by offering farmers a sustainable, chemical-free alternative that reduces costs and increases yields.
Product Innovation: Laser Weeding System for Tractors
Harvested Robotics is developing a tractor-mounted laser weeding system that uses:
- Cameras and AI algorithms to identify weeds in real-time
- Precision lasers to eliminate weeds without damaging crops
This eliminates the need for manual labor or harmful herbicides, promoting organic farming and reducing environmental impact.
"We believe precision laser technology will solve one of agriculture's most costly and damaging problems — weeding — while promoting sustainability," said co-founder Rahul Arepaka.
Funding Utilization
With this capital injection, Harvested Robotics plans to:
✅ Expand its team
✅ Accelerate product development
✅ Conduct large-scale pilots in key agricultural regions
✅ Validate technology performance in diverse farming conditions
Strategic Investor Participation
Investor Anand Mahindra commented on the potential of Harvested Robotics' solution to address significant pain points in agriculture, particularly for small and mid-sized farmers.
"Solutions like this can be game changers for Indian agriculture. The potential to reduce chemical dependence while improving productivity aligns with sustainable farming goals," he said.
Tapping into India’s Growing Agritech Sector
India’s agritech ecosystem has seen rising investor interest, with startups offering AI, robotics, and precision farming solutions to solve challenges around labor shortage, rising input costs, and sustainability.
Harvested Robotics' laser weeding technology fits perfectly into this narrative, providing:
- Reduced dependency on herbicides
- Improved crop yields
- Cost-effective farming practices
Our Opinion on the News
Harvested Robotics’ seed funding reflects growing investor confidence in deep-tech agritech innovations. By tackling the expensive and labor-intensive task of weeding with AI and laser precision, the company could transform crop production economics for Indian farmers.
With Anand Mahindra’s backing, the startup gains not just capital but invaluable industry expertise and ecosystem access, setting the stage for rapid scaling. If successful, this solution could significantly reduce chemical usage in agriculture and support India’s push toward sustainable farming.
📌 Founders: Rahul Arepaka and George Mathew
📌 Funding Round: ₹5 crore seed round
📌 Investors: Arali Ventures, Anand Mahindra, Chakradhar Gade (Country Delight)
📌 Use of Funds: Product development, pilots, and team expansion