NRW.BANK Invests in ag-tech.systems

The AgTech startup ag-tech.systems, based in Geilenkirchen, has received seed funding. As part of its NRW.SeedCap program, NRW.BANK is participating in the funding round alongside other investors. With this fresh capital, the company plans to prepare for the market launch of its chemical-free weed control technology, tap into new areas of application, and expand internationally. No details were provided regarding the amount of the funding round.

High Voltage Instead of Herbicides

ag-tech.systems is developing a technology designed to control weeds without the use of synthetic herbicides. The process combines high-voltage current with a specially developed conductive liquid. This liquid lowers the plants’ electrical input resistance, enabling targeted treatment of unwanted plants from the leaves down to the roots. According to the company, this leaves no chemical residues in the soil, in crops, or in food.

In addition to weed control, the technology can also be used to support the maturation process of crops. Areas of application to date include potatoes and oats, among others. The method is also expected to be effective against invasive plant species such as tiger grass.

epc.160 is set to launch

A significant portion of the new capital is to be invested in the market launch of the epc.160 system. According to the startup, the technology can be fully integrated into modern standard agricultural machinery and controlled via the respective tractor.

Chemical-free weed control must not be a compromise. It must work just as reliably in the field as a herbicide, and it must be cost-effective for the farm.

Marcus Lehnen, CEO of ag-tech.systems

ag-tech.systems now plans to prepare for mass production and drive the system’s rollout in collaboration with agricultural operations. The new capital will enable the company to prepare for mass production and execute the market launch in a controlled manner while staying closely aligned with customer needs.

Additional Crops

In parallel with the market launch, the technology is to be expanded to additional areas of application. In the future, ag-tech.systems plans to offer the process for sugar beets, barley, and canola, among other crops.

In addition, the company is working on larger machines that will allow the technology to be used in large-scale arable farming. This is intended to make the system attractive to more agricultural operations and for a wider range of applications.

Expansion into North America and Europe Planned

With this seed funding, ag-tech.systems is also pursuing international growth plans. In addition to the German market, Canada and the U.S., as well as France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, are on the expansion agenda. NRW.BANK is supporting the company as part of its NRW.SeedCap program. This program is aimed at young companies from North Rhine-Westphalia and is designed to supplement private equity capital in the early stages of a company’s development.

“Innovations ensure the future viability of our economy. It is crucial that good ideas do not get stuck in the development phase but find their way to market,” says Gabriela Pantring, Chair of the Executive Board of NRW.BANK. The investment is intended to support a technology from North Rhine-Westphalia in taking this step.

For ag-tech.systems, this financing marks the beginning of the commercialization phase. In addition to further developing the technology, the focus is on determining whether this physical alternative to herbicides can be economically established in everyday agricultural practice and subsequently scaled up internationally.