Oslo-based Kilter has secured €6.5 million in new financing to accelerate the global deployment of its autonomous weeding solutions. The round features a strategic investment from Kubota Corporation, alongside continued support from existing backers Pymwymic, SBG Invest, and Nufarm, marking a critical step toward a future Series B.
The big picture: Farmers are facing a “perfect storm” of labor shortages, skyrocketing input costs, and intensifying regulatory pressure to slash chemical usage. Kilter’s flagship AX-1 system addresses these challenges by combining robotics and AI to enable ultra-precise, droplet-level spraying, allowing for significant reductions in herbicide use without sacrificing crop yields.
How it works:
- Selective Application: Designed for high-value row and bed-based crops, the AX-1 identifies and targets weeds with high-pressure precision.
- Industrial Validation: With both Kubota (machinery) and Nufarm (crop protection) as shareholders, Kilter sits at the intersection of hardware and agronomy.
- Efficiency Gains: Kilter’s patented “Single Drop Technology” targets weeds with 6mm accuracy, reportedly reducing herbicide volume by up to 95%.
The catch: While strategic backing from an industrial giant like Kubota provides massive distribution potential, it also risks “product lock-in” where Kilter’s autonomous layer must remain compatible with Kubota’s ecosystem at the expense of other machinery brands. Furthermore, as seen in the broader agricultural automation sector, the challenge isn’t just killing weeds, but maintaining hardware uptime in harsh, dusty, and unpredictable field conditions. Kilter must prove that its droplet technology is durable enough to withstand thousands of hours of field operations without the constant need for specialized technician interventions.
Key Details
- Funding: €6.5M (Pre-Series B)
- Lead: Kubota Corporation
- CEO: Anders Brevik
- Sector: Ag-Tech / Robotics
