EIC Accelerator Grant: SAIA Agrorobotics

SAIA Agrorobotics is a leader in horticultural robotics, taking a distinctive approach by bringing the plant to the robot rather than moving the robot to the plant—a challenge that has persisted for over twenty years. The spin-off made significant strides by securing an EIC Accelerator Grant in 2022.

CEO and founder Ruud Barth comments, "This grant, combined with an investment round from Navus Ventures and OostNL, has enabled us to build our own autonomous test greenhouse. This was a crucial development for us. We now have a more compelling business case compared to using a mobile robot. Implementing the concept of a movable plant in an existing greenhouse is unfeasible, so we aimed to create a completely new cultivation system for multiple crops—one that is robust and scalable. In our greenhouse, we can develop a market-ready product and invite growers to experience our technology before purchasing. We are currently focused on setting up the greenhouse and have already achieved full automation of the harvesting process for our tomato plants."

Interaction in the Wageningen Ecosystem

"In Wageningen, we are surrounded by an extensive network of experts, investors and customers. For a startup, engaging as much as possible with sector specialists is crucial. StartLife, FoodValley, and WUR significantly contribute to this. Their support was instrumental in securing our grant. We were able to show that SAIA is thriving within an optimal ecosystem. The Netherlands is at the forefront of agrotech, with Wageningen Campus serving as the hub of innovation in this field, a fact recognised across Europe."