Carbon Robotics Raises $70M to Revolutionize Farming with AI Laser-Weeding Robots

Seattle-based startup Carbon Robotics has secured $70 million in Series D funding, highlighting investor confidence in its innovative agricultural technology platform. This round was led by San Francisco-based BOND, with participation from Nvidia’s venture capital arm, bringing the total capital raised by Carbon Robotics to $157 million since its inception in 2018. The funding will help the company scale its business, which has already seen a doubling of revenue over the past year, though specific revenue figures were not disclosed.

Carbon Robotics has developed the "LaserWeeder," an advanced machine that attaches to the back of a tractor and uses AI-powered technology to detect and eliminate weeds with lasers. By avoiding the use of herbicides, the machine offers an environmentally friendly alternative, helping farmers preserve soil microbiology while tackling the growing problem of herbicide-resistant weeds. Each LaserWeeder machine is powered by 24 Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs) and can process 4.7 million high-resolution images per hour. The machine not only eliminates the need for harmful chemicals but also takes on repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, addressing the labor shortage in the agricultural sector.

Paul Mikesell, the founder and CEO of Carbon Robotics, has a rich background in technology, having co-founded Isilon Systems and led an infrastructure engineering group at Uber. He emphasizes the importance of real-world testing, noting that his team spent significant time working on farms to fine-tune the LaserWeeder. This hands-on approach, combined with the company's focus on customer service, has helped Carbon Robotics stand out in the agricultural technology (agtech) sector, especially in an industry where scaling has been a challenge for many startups.

Despite a 60% decline in venture capital funding for the agtech industry since 2021, according to McKinsey, Carbon Robotics has managed to thrive. Mikesell attributes part of the company's success to avoiding the common investor-driven push for a "robots-as-a-service" model, which he believes is not suited for the agriculture sector. Instead, Carbon Robotics sells its machines outright and offers a software platform that provides detailed insights into crop and weed management, supported by annual service fees and software updates.

Investors and industry experts have praised Mikesell’s leadership, with Erik Benson, managing director at Voyager Capital, describing him as a “once-in-a-generation talent.” Benson also highlighted the contrast between Mikesell’s hands-on approach and the more detached style of other tech leaders in the space.

Carbon Robotics plans to use the new funding to expand its operations, including opening a 24,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Richland, Washington. The company is also looking to grow its presence internationally, with plans to enter markets in Asia. Its existing customer base includes farmers across the U.S., Europe, and Australia.

In addition to its hardware, Carbon Robotics provides farmers with a subscription-based software platform that delivers real-time data on field conditions, weeds, and crops, ensuring continued service and regular updates. As the company continues to scale, it is also exploring the development of new AI-powered robots for applications beyond agriculture. Mikesell sees this as part of a broader trend toward AI and robotics, noting that “the real promise of AI” lies in practical applications that improve everyday life.

With a strong leadership team, innovative technology, and growing market presence, Carbon Robotics is poised to become a key player in the agricultural sector and beyond, bringing AI and robotics to fields around the world.