[Dawn Capital] Dawn Capital invests in HarvestX, which is working on fully automatic cultivation of strawberries using AI and robotics
*View in browser* *Dawn Capital*
Press release: March 20, 2024
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Dawn Capital invests in HarvestX, which is working on fully automated strawberry cultivation using AI and robotics
*Dawn Capital (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and President: Kazuhiko Ishikura, hereinafter referred to as “Dawn
Capital” has made an investment in HarvestX Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and President: Yuki Ichikawa), which develops pollination and harvesting robots for plant factories. *
HarvestX Co., Ltd. is a startup from the University of Tokyo that aims to fully automate the cultivation of plant factories using AI and robotics. We have developed the pollination robot “XV3” and succeeded in pollinating strawberries by the world’s first robot (Patent No. 7090953), attracting attention as a leading company in agritech. HarvestX will utilize the funds raised this time to advance
technological research and development to further expand the added value of the automatic strawberry cultivation solution “HarvestX.” Additionally, we will build a demonstration facility (pilot plant) equipped with “HarvestX” to appeal to plant factory companies that have issues with strawberry production and companies that are considering operating a new strawberry plant factory. (first phase scheduled to be completed in May 2024). With the opening of this facility as a stepping stone, HarvestX
will continue to work toward further business expansion.
Dawn
Capital decided to invest in HarvestX because we sympathize with HarvestX’s vision and see great potential in the business potential of pollination and harvesting robots.
Deployment image of strawberry automatic cultivation solution “HarvestX” * ■Comment from Kazuhiko Ishikura, Representative Partner of Dawn Capital* A robot moves on its own in a laboratory, automatically recognizes strawberry flowers, and swings the flowers with its robot arm to pollinate them… When I saw this scene for the first time, I felt as if I was anticipating the future and was very excited.
We believe that HarvestX’s automatic cultivation solutions will solve the problems of farmers in the field of agriculture, which is facing many challenges such as climate change and labor shortages.
I am very happy to be able to work with CEO Ichikawa and other management teams in creating the future, who love technology and are passionate about achieving a big vision. We will do our best to support you!
* ■Comment from Yuki Ichikawa, President and Representative Director of HarvestX Co., Ltd.*
HarvestX provides a complete solution for strawberry production and has raised funding to accelerate the development and introduction of new features. Pollination by bees is stressful and has high mortality rates, and there are issues with pollination rates and sanitary conditions. The introduction of a pollination robot, which is a core technology, will solve these issues and enable its application to the food manufacturing industry. Dawn has a strong hands-on team in the enterprise field
We realized that we could accelerate our business by receiving support from Capital.
By collaborating with Dawn Capital, we will strive to further meet customer expectations and solve the world’s food production issues. * ■ About HarvestX Co., Ltd.*
HarvestX Inc. is a startup from the University of Tokyo that aims to fully automate the cultivation of fruits and vegetables that require pollination, such as strawberries, in plant factories. HarvestX, which was started at a university in 2018 by members specializing in robotics and AI, has focused its research on the issue of “difficult to produce fruits that require pollination in plant factories,” and is the world’s first robot to grow strawberries. Pollination was successful.
HarvestX, whose mission is “Providing rich food for future
generations,” utilizes robotics and AI technology to develop and provide solutions to realize sustainable agriculture.
Company name: HarvestX Inc.
Representative: Yuki Ichikawa
Address: Entrepreneur Lab 216, South Research Building, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Established: August 2020
Business content: Development of agricultural equipment and sale of solution packages that utilize it
URL: https://harvestx.jp
* ■ About Dawn Capital *
“Dawn Capital” is a fund managed by Akatsuki Ventures Co., Ltd. Aiming to be like the sun shining on the world as a pioneer of the times, we will invest in and support startups that create services and products that move people’s hearts. In addition to the hands-on team, Akatsuki itself will also build a management and business support system to support its investees.