INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Taranis, an ag-tech startup that uses aerial scouting and deep learning to identify potential crop issues, announced today that it has
raised a $20 million Series B led by Viola Ventures
Sumitomo Corporation Europe also participated.Tel Aviv-based Taranis says its aerial imaging technology, carried on high-speed drones or
manned aircraft, is currently used by farms in Argentina, Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States
It plans to expand into more countries with this round of funding, including Australia.Founded in 2015 by Ofir Schlam, Asaf Horvitz, Eli
It identifies potential crop issues, including insect damage, nutrient deficiencies, and diseases, and provide farmers with magnified,
high-resolution images that are detailed enough to (for example) let them see what bugs are eating their plants.In a press statement, Viola
labor-intensive and not always accurate, even with the use of sensors to track soil quality, fertilizer levels, insects, and other issues
Other venture capital-backed startups using computer vision and AI-based technology to make the process more efficient (a growing field
also started shopping for precision farming startups
For example, over the past twelve months, Deere agreed to buy Blue River, and Brazilian startup Strider was purchased by Syngenta.
