Serra Ventures

Serra Ventures, established in 2008 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage technology companies. It invests primarily in the Midwest and Southern California regions of the United States, with a sector focus on information technology, deep technology, instrumentation, B2B, software as a service, devices, and agricultural technologies.

Dennis Beard

Managing Partner

Drew Beard

Associate

Stephen Beck

Managing Partner

Tim Hoerr

Founder, CEO and Managing Partner

Karin O'Connor

Venture Partner

Rob Schultz

Managing Partner

Past deals in Agriculture

Bonsai Robotics

Series A in 2025
Bonsai Robotics is a company based in San Jose, California, that specializes in vision-based automation solutions for off-road vehicles, particularly in the agricultural sector. The company develops a machine navigation system that utilizes computer vision to enable robotic operation of multiple vehicles. This technology helps farmers enhance productivity and performance while reducing their dependence on labor. In addition to automation, Bonsai Robotics offers analytics and telematics services that assist growers in improving their operational efficiency and safety.

IntelliCulture

Seed Round in 2024
IntelliCulture offers a farm management solution that assists farmers in preventing pest outbreaks, enhancing labor efficiency, and automating machine management. The company specializes in software that automatically logs both real-time and historical data related to agricultural operations, including equipment health and cost accounting. By analyzing data collected from agricultural equipment, IntelliCulture provides valuable insights that help farmers identify operational inefficiencies and make informed management decisions. This approach aims to keep farming operations competitive and profitable through intelligent data analytics, empowering clients to optimize their business practices.

HerdDogg

Series A in 2024
HerdDogg, Inc. specializes in real-time livestock monitoring systems that assist producers in tracking their herds. The company offers a mobile app and software platform that provides insights into breeding, animal health, and traceability for individual animals. This system utilizes DoggTag ear tags, which are attached to the animals, and DoggBone, a passive device that collects data on the activity, health, and location of the herd. HerdDogg's technology is applicable across various livestock industries, including beef, bison, dairy, and sheep. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Ashland, Oregon, the company aims to enhance herd health management through data science and innovative monitoring solutions.

HerdDogg

Series A in 2023
HerdDogg, Inc. specializes in real-time livestock monitoring systems that assist producers in tracking their herds. The company offers a mobile app and software platform that provides insights into breeding, animal health, and traceability for individual animals. This system utilizes DoggTag ear tags, which are attached to the animals, and DoggBone, a passive device that collects data on the activity, health, and location of the herd. HerdDogg's technology is applicable across various livestock industries, including beef, bison, dairy, and sheep. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Ashland, Oregon, the company aims to enhance herd health management through data science and innovative monitoring solutions.

Bonsai Robotics

Seed Round in 2023
Bonsai Robotics is a company based in San Jose, California, that specializes in vision-based automation solutions for off-road vehicles, particularly in the agricultural sector. The company develops a machine navigation system that utilizes computer vision to enable robotic operation of multiple vehicles. This technology helps farmers enhance productivity and performance while reducing their dependence on labor. In addition to automation, Bonsai Robotics offers analytics and telematics services that assist growers in improving their operational efficiency and safety.

DigiFarmz Smart Agriculture

Seed Round in 2023
DigiFarmz Smart Agriculture is a digital platform focused on enhancing crop management through advanced data analytics. By integrating various factors such as climatic conditions, cultivar genetics, sowing dates, and disease biology, the platform offers personalized agronomic recommendations tailored to the specific needs of each farm and field plot. This approach is designed to minimize decision errors in plant health and nutrition management, addressing the significant losses in crop yield potential experienced by growers. With over sixteen years of field and greenhouse research backing its algorithms, DigiFarmz provides real-time, dynamic insights that optimize agrochemical usage and boost crop yield and profitability. By continuously adapting to changes in environmental scenarios, the platform empowers users to make informed decisions, ultimately leading to smarter and more effective management of their agricultural practices.

Vytelle

Series B in 2023
Vytelle, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Hermiston, Oregon, focused on enhancing livestock genetics for beef and dairy producers. Founded in 2015 and originally named Cogent IVF, Vytelle specializes in ovum pick-up and embryo production services, which include implantation and post-in vitro fertilization consultation. The company utilizes an integrated technology platform that employs reproductive technology and a proprietary culture system free from fetal calf serum. This innovative approach produces freezable embryos, allowing commercial producers to achieve sustainable genetic gains across generations. Vytelle aims to reshape the cattle industry by optimizing herd performance through advanced reproductive techniques.

EIWA

Series A in 2023
Eiwa specializes in providing advanced terrestrial and aerial systems designed for plant breeding programs and seed production. The company offers services including flights for colorimetric analysis and morphological detections, enabling users to conduct multiple flights throughout the growing season while uploading data to the cloud. Eiwa processes imagery and data to deliver analytics specifically for soybean, corn, and wheat. Founded in 2014, Eiwa is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with additional offices in Londrina, Brazil, and Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. The company aims to facilitate digital transformation in the agricultural sector by combining technology, imagery, and data management to enhance field information accessibility and streamline product development cycles within the farm input ecosystem.

Smart Guided Systems

Seed Round in 2022
Smart Apply specializes in innovative density-based sprayer technology aimed at enhancing the efficiency of pesticide application in agriculture. The company manufactures precision guidance systems that allow high-value crop producers to significantly reduce pesticide use by more than half compared to conventional methods, while also minimizing waste and improving crop yields. Smart Apply's solutions are designed to help growers optimize their resources and contribute to environmental stewardship, ensuring that they can achieve both agricultural productivity and sustainability in their practices. Through the integration of data and technology, Smart Apply supports producers in maximizing their operational efficiency and meeting their environmental goals.

Vytelle

Series A in 2021
Vytelle, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Hermiston, Oregon, focused on enhancing livestock genetics for beef and dairy producers. Founded in 2015 and originally named Cogent IVF, Vytelle specializes in ovum pick-up and embryo production services, which include implantation and post-in vitro fertilization consultation. The company utilizes an integrated technology platform that employs reproductive technology and a proprietary culture system free from fetal calf serum. This innovative approach produces freezable embryos, allowing commercial producers to achieve sustainable genetic gains across generations. Vytelle aims to reshape the cattle industry by optimizing herd performance through advanced reproductive techniques.

iUNU

Venture Round in 2020
IUNU, Inc. is an agricultural technology company based in Seattle, Washington, that specializes in developing an AI-driven computer vision platform for greenhouse management. Founded in 2013, IUNU offers a comprehensive SaaS-based solution known as LUNA, which monitors crop growth and provides growers with actionable insights to enhance production management. The platform connects plants, facilities, and personnel through a unified interface, enabling farmers to efficiently manage crop cycles and identify potential issues before they impact yield. By promoting accountability in growing practices, IUNU empowers clients to optimize their operations and improve overall productivity in commercial greenhouse environments.

CamoAg

Series A in 2019
CamoAg is a prominent provider of agricultural intelligence and operational management solutions tailored for the agribusiness sector. The company offers a comprehensive platform that facilitates price discovery and enables landowners to optimize financial returns through fair rent assessments. CamoAg streamlines administrative processes with standardized online leases and digital payment systems, enhancing efficiency for both landowners and farmers. By harnessing advanced technologies, CamoAg empowers its clients to gain visibility into their operations, make informed decisions, and identify responsible growers, thereby promoting long-term sustainability and growth within the agricultural industry.

HerdDogg

Seed Round in 2018
HerdDogg, Inc. specializes in real-time livestock monitoring systems that assist producers in tracking their herds. The company offers a mobile app and software platform that provides insights into breeding, animal health, and traceability for individual animals. This system utilizes DoggTag ear tags, which are attached to the animals, and DoggBone, a passive device that collects data on the activity, health, and location of the herd. HerdDogg's technology is applicable across various livestock industries, including beef, bison, dairy, and sheep. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Ashland, Oregon, the company aims to enhance herd health management through data science and innovative monitoring solutions.

Agrible

Series B in 2017
Agrible, Inc. is an agricultural technology company based in Champaign, Illinois, focused on developing software solutions to enhance farming operations globally. Founded in 2007 by Bill Northcott, Chris Harbourt, and Paul Miller, the company provides various tools to assist growers in making informed decisions. Its flagship product, Morning Farm Report, offers detailed forecasts and data on yield predictions, nutrient availability, and weather conditions, among other critical factors. Agrible also features Find My Seed, which aggregates third-party seed trial data, and Pocket Rain Gauge, delivering localized rainfall measurements. Other applications include Pocket Spray Smart, which provides field-specific spraying conditions, and Pocket Drone Control, which aids in crop damage assessments by offering aerial views of fields. Agrible serves a diverse clientele, including independent growers, major food brands, and agricultural consultants, enabling them to optimize production and sustainability through advanced predictive analytics and field-level insights.

FarmLead

Series A in 2017
FarmLead Resources Ltd. is a digital marketplace designed to enhance the buying and selling of grain, connecting farmers with verified buyers across North America. Founded in 2013 and based in Ottawa, Canada, the company operates in key agricultural regions including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Through its online platform and mobile application, FarmLead offers various services such as market research, grain testing, and price visibility, which help reduce brokerage fees and risks for farmers. The marketplace promotes efficiency, transparency, and equality within the grain industry, enabling farmers to negotiate better deals while allowing buyers to conveniently find the grain they need in their preferred locations.

Agrible

Venture Round in 2016
Agrible, Inc. is an agricultural technology company based in Champaign, Illinois, focused on developing software solutions to enhance farming operations globally. Founded in 2007 by Bill Northcott, Chris Harbourt, and Paul Miller, the company provides various tools to assist growers in making informed decisions. Its flagship product, Morning Farm Report, offers detailed forecasts and data on yield predictions, nutrient availability, and weather conditions, among other critical factors. Agrible also features Find My Seed, which aggregates third-party seed trial data, and Pocket Rain Gauge, delivering localized rainfall measurements. Other applications include Pocket Spray Smart, which provides field-specific spraying conditions, and Pocket Drone Control, which aids in crop damage assessments by offering aerial views of fields. Agrible serves a diverse clientele, including independent growers, major food brands, and agricultural consultants, enabling them to optimize production and sustainability through advanced predictive analytics and field-level insights.

Agrible

Venture Round in 2016
Agrible, Inc. is an agricultural technology company based in Champaign, Illinois, focused on developing software solutions to enhance farming operations globally. Founded in 2007 by Bill Northcott, Chris Harbourt, and Paul Miller, the company provides various tools to assist growers in making informed decisions. Its flagship product, Morning Farm Report, offers detailed forecasts and data on yield predictions, nutrient availability, and weather conditions, among other critical factors. Agrible also features Find My Seed, which aggregates third-party seed trial data, and Pocket Rain Gauge, delivering localized rainfall measurements. Other applications include Pocket Spray Smart, which provides field-specific spraying conditions, and Pocket Drone Control, which aids in crop damage assessments by offering aerial views of fields. Agrible serves a diverse clientele, including independent growers, major food brands, and agricultural consultants, enabling them to optimize production and sustainability through advanced predictive analytics and field-level insights.

Agrible

Series A in 2015
Agrible, Inc. is an agricultural technology company based in Champaign, Illinois, focused on developing software solutions to enhance farming operations globally. Founded in 2007 by Bill Northcott, Chris Harbourt, and Paul Miller, the company provides various tools to assist growers in making informed decisions. Its flagship product, Morning Farm Report, offers detailed forecasts and data on yield predictions, nutrient availability, and weather conditions, among other critical factors. Agrible also features Find My Seed, which aggregates third-party seed trial data, and Pocket Rain Gauge, delivering localized rainfall measurements. Other applications include Pocket Spray Smart, which provides field-specific spraying conditions, and Pocket Drone Control, which aids in crop damage assessments by offering aerial views of fields. Agrible serves a diverse clientele, including independent growers, major food brands, and agricultural consultants, enabling them to optimize production and sustainability through advanced predictive analytics and field-level insights.

640 Labs

Convertible Note in 2014
640 Labs is a precision farming platform focused on optimizing agricultural operations through data collection and analysis. The company develops an open big data platform that includes 640 Drive, a device designed to automatically gather and aggregate agricultural data from various farming activities. By leveraging analytics, mobile technologies, and cloud computing, 640 Labs aims to enhance productivity and provide valuable insights for farmers. With a significant portion of farmers already adopting technology to improve yields, the platform addresses the growing need for efficient data utilization in modern agriculture.

640 Labs

Convertible Note in 2014
640 Labs is a precision farming platform focused on optimizing agricultural operations through data collection and analysis. The company develops an open big data platform that includes 640 Drive, a device designed to automatically gather and aggregate agricultural data from various farming activities. By leveraging analytics, mobile technologies, and cloud computing, 640 Labs aims to enhance productivity and provide valuable insights for farmers. With a significant portion of farmers already adopting technology to improve yields, the platform addresses the growing need for efficient data utilization in modern agriculture.

Agrible

Seed Round in 2014
Agrible, Inc. is an agricultural technology company based in Champaign, Illinois, focused on developing software solutions to enhance farming operations globally. Founded in 2007 by Bill Northcott, Chris Harbourt, and Paul Miller, the company provides various tools to assist growers in making informed decisions. Its flagship product, Morning Farm Report, offers detailed forecasts and data on yield predictions, nutrient availability, and weather conditions, among other critical factors. Agrible also features Find My Seed, which aggregates third-party seed trial data, and Pocket Rain Gauge, delivering localized rainfall measurements. Other applications include Pocket Spray Smart, which provides field-specific spraying conditions, and Pocket Drone Control, which aids in crop damage assessments by offering aerial views of fields. Agrible serves a diverse clientele, including independent growers, major food brands, and agricultural consultants, enabling them to optimize production and sustainability through advanced predictive analytics and field-level insights.
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