Latest news with #agritech
Globe and Mail
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Huida Tech Brings Smart Agriculture Equipment to North American Farmers
"'Our goal is to make advanced agri-tech accessible and practical for North American farmers,' said Calvin Cai, Vice President of Huida Tech North America. 'By combining proven global technology with local support and service, we're here to be a true partner in driving long-term farm productivity and sustainability.'" Huida Tech, a top Chinese agri-tech firm, has entered North America to offer smart farming tools like auto-steering systems and drones. Led by VP Calvin Cai, the company focuses on localized support, dealer partnerships, and accessible pricing. With projected $6–7M revenue by 2025, Huida aims to be a long-term partner in farm productivity and sustainability. Huida Tech, a leading Chinese manufacturer of intelligent agricultural machinery, has officially launched operations in North America, offering smart farming solutions designed to meet the needs of large-scale producers across the United States and Canada. The company's expansion comes amid growing demand for precision agriculture tools that improve field productivity, reduce labor dependency, and enhance sustainability. Huida Tech's product offerings in the region include high-precision auto-steering systems for tractors and high-capacity agricultural drones for crop spraying and spreading. 'We're here to provide accessible, efficient, and field-tested solutions for North American farmers,' said Calvin Cai, Vice President and Head of North America at Huida Tech. 'Our focus is on performance, reliability, and localized service.' Localizing Smart Solutions for U.S. Farmers Huida Tech's North American product line reflects a deep understanding of regional farming priorities, especially in the Midwest and Great Plains. In particular, the company has emphasized two technologies: Auto-Steering Systems: Designed to retrofit a wide range of tractor models, Huida's systems offer RTK-level precision, user-friendly calibration, and real-time field mapping, making them an affordable alternative to existing U.S.-based offerings. Agricultural Drones: Built for high payload and wide spray width, these drones are capable of covering large acreage efficiently — an important factor for large-scale row crop farming common in the U.S. 'Many U.S. farmers face high subscription costs and limited hardware compatibility with legacy providers,' Cai noted. 'We aim to provide a straightforward, one-time purchase model with full service support.' Commitment to North American Market Since initiating its North American launch in 2023, Huida Tech has: The company expects to achieve $6–7 million in North American revenue by 2025, supported by strong early adoption among independent growers and mid-sized farm operations. Background: Innovation Rooted in Experience Founded in China, Huida Tech has established itself as a trusted provider of agricultural automation tools, particularly in high-production regions such as Heilongjiang, Shandong, and Xinjiang. The company's technology has been used on over 118 million acres cumulated operational area globally. Calvin Cai, who leads the North America division, brings over 15 years of experience in technology entrepreneurship and international business. Prior to joining Huida, he founded and scaled ventures in mobile software distribution and agricultural data infrastructure. 'We understand that farming is local, and so is trust,' Cai said. 'That's why we've invested in on-the-ground presence, training, and ongoing farmer relationships.' Serving Farmers at Every Stage Huida Tech plans to continue expanding its support footprint across North America while refining its technology to meet local regulations and climate conditions. The company is also exploring collaborative opportunities with research institutions and extension programs to further tailor its solutions. 'Our mission is not just to sell equipment,' Cai emphasized. 'It's to become a dependable partner in farmers' long-term productivity and sustainability.' As digital agriculture continues to grow in relevance, Huida Tech's presence in North America signals a new phase in global agri-tech collaboration — one focused not on disruption, but on partnership and practical support.
Associated Press
22-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Huida Tech Brings Smart Agriculture Equipment to North American Farmers
'Our goal is to make advanced agri-tech accessible and practical for North American farmers,' said Calvin Cai, Vice President of Huida Tech North America. 'By combining proven global technology with local support and service, we're here to be a true partner in driving long-term farm productivity and sustainability.' Huida Tech, a top Chinese agri-tech firm, has entered North America to offer smart farming tools like auto-steering systems and drones. Led by VP Calvin Cai, the company focuses on localized support, dealer partnerships, and accessible pricing. With projected $6–7M revenue by 2025, Huida aims to be a long-term partner in farm productivity and sustainability. Huida Tech, a leading Chinese manufacturer of intelligent agricultural machinery, has officially launched operations in North America, offering smart farming solutions designed to meet the needs of large-scale producers across the United States and Canada. The company's expansion comes amid growing demand for precision agriculture tools that improve field productivity, reduce labor dependency, and enhance sustainability. Huida Tech's product offerings in the region include high-precision auto-steering systems for tractors and high-capacity agricultural drones for crop spraying and spreading. 'We're here to provide accessible, efficient, and field-tested solutions for North American farmers,' said Calvin Cai, Vice President and Head of North America at Huida Tech. 'Our focus is on performance, reliability, and localized service.' Localizing Smart Solutions for U.S. Farmers Huida Tech's North American product line reflects a deep understanding of regional farming priorities, especially in the Midwest and Great Plains. In particular, the company has emphasized two technologies: 'Many U.S. farmers face high subscription costs and limited hardware compatibility with legacy providers,' Cai noted. 'We aim to provide a straightforward, one-time purchase model with full service support.' Commitment to North American Market Since initiating its North American launch in 2023, Huida Tech has: The company expects to achieve $6–7 million in North American revenue by 2025, supported by strong early adoption among independent growers and mid-sized farm operations. Background: Innovation Rooted in Experience Founded in China, Huida Tech has established itself as a trusted provider of agricultural automation tools, particularly in high-production regions such as Heilongjiang, Shandong, and Xinjiang. The company's technology has been used on over 118 million acres cumulated operational area globally. Calvin Cai, who leads the North America division, brings over 15 years of experience in technology entrepreneurship and international business. Prior to joining Huida, he founded and scaled ventures in mobile software distribution and agricultural data infrastructure. 'We understand that farming is local, and so is trust,' Cai said. 'That's why we've invested in on-the-ground presence, training, and ongoing farmer relationships.' Serving Farmers at Every Stage Huida Tech plans to continue expanding its support footprint across North America while refining its technology to meet local regulations and climate conditions. The company is also exploring collaborative opportunities with research institutions and extension programs to further tailor its solutions. 'Our mission is not just to sell equipment,' Cai emphasized. 'It's to become a dependable partner in farmers' long-term productivity and sustainability.' As digital agriculture continues to grow in relevance, Huida Tech's presence in North America signals a new phase in global agri-tech collaboration — one focused not on disruption, but on partnership and practical support. Media Contact Company Name: Asian Creative Foundation Contact Person: Jemma Wu Email: Send Email City: New York State: New York Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Huida Tech Brings Smart Agriculture Equipment to North American Farmers
Wamda
01-07-2025
- Business
- Wamda
AgriCash raises seed round to drive inclusive agri-fintech innovation in Egypt
Egypt-based agri-fintech AgriCash has raised an undisclosed seed funding round led by Alex Angels, with participation from regional investors. Founded by Diaa Youssef and Mostafa El-Sehli in 2024, AgriCash provides farmers with a digital financing platform offering AI-powered agronomic insights, crop insurance, BNPL financing, and access to markets. The new capital will help scale operations across Egypt and expand into regional markets, enhance its AI-driven infrastructure and finalize integrations with key insurance and financial partners. AgriCash's flagship product includes a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) model tailored for farmers, offering interest-free access to agri and livestock supplies for up to 12 months, with credit ceilings of EGP 3M. The startup aims to reach EGP 500 million in business volume by 2025, and launch livestock financing in 2026, cementing its position as an end-to-end agri-finance platform. Press release: AgriCash, the Egypt-based agri-fintech company transforming agricultural finance through digital innovation, has announced the successful close of its seed funding round. Alex Angels led the round, and a group of strategic investors also participated. While the investment amount remains undisclosed, the fresh capital will support AgriCash's plans to scale its operations within Egypt and expand to new regional markets. Founded by Dr Diaa Youssef and Dr Mostafa El-Sehli, AgriCash is on a mission to modernise and democratise access to financial services for Egypt's underserved farming community. The company offers an integrated platform that provides farmers not only with financing but also with AI-powered agronomic insights, zero-cost crop insurance, and tools to access local and global markets. With more than 1,500 active farmers onboarded and partnerships with 60 certified suppliers, AgriCash has listed over 750 agricultural products on its platform. Through offline outreach efforts, the company has also reached 100,000+ farmers across rural Egypt, promoting trust and accelerating the digital transformation of the sector. The newly raised funds will be used to: Expand AgriCash's reach across Egypt and into regional markets Finalize key integrations with financial institutions and insurance providers Enhance its AI-driven platform and technical infrastructure Among its most innovative features is a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) model tailored to the needs of agricultural and livestock producers. This Sharia-compliant offering allows farmers to access essential supplies interest-free for up to 12 months, with credit ceilings reaching EGP 3 million. AgriCash is targeting EGP 500 million in business volume by the end of 2025 and plans to launch livestock financing products in 2026, further developing its end-to-end agricultural finance ecosystem. 'This round marks a pivotal milestone in our journey to build a more inclusive, tech-enabled agricultural economy,' said Dr Diaa Youssef, Co-Founder and CEO of AgriCash. 'We believe that empowering small and medium-scale farmers with the right tools and financial access will drive sustainable development across Egypt's agricultural value chain.' AgriCash's platform addresses persistent challenges in the farming sector, including complex loan procedures and the lack of Sharia-compliant financial alternatives. With this latest funding, the company is well-positioned to deepen its impact, improve productivity, and foster resilience across Egypt's agricultural landscape.
The National
25-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Abu Dhabi's ADQ to focus on vegetable gene editing as it seeks stake in seeds company
ADQ, Abu Dhabi's wealth fund, plans to acquire a 35 per cent stake in France's Limagrain Vegetable Seeds as the UAE enters a research-intensive phase to transform farming and reduce reliance on food imports. As part of the deal, ADQ's agritech company Silal and Limagrain Vegetable Seeds plan to establish a research and development partnership to create a joint venture focused on desert-adapted vegetable genetics. The venture will focus on developing vegetable seeds suited to extreme heat, drought and salinity conditions, ADQ said. The UAE imports between 80 and 90 per cent of its food, one of the highest rates globally, according to the World Economic Forum. The country's National Food Security Strategy 2051 sets the deadline for producing 50 per cent of food locally. The financial details of the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, were not disclosed. Long-term R&D "This is very much in a research and development phase right now," said Gil Adotevi, group chief investment officer at ADQ. "There's a closure period that will take us easily to the end of the year. That's when the deal is effectively consummated and when we become an investor in the company. We expect to start seeing it [on farms] a year to a couple of years after that," he told The National. The research and development will take place at Silal 's Innovation Oasis in Al Ain in collaboration with Limagrain Vegetable Seeds' global experts. The process will include screening, controlled trials and field performance testing under UAE-specific environmental conditions. "Collaboration with local farmers will begin once a suitable, high-performing seed variety is identified and ready for commercialisation," Mr Adotevi said. Silal supports farmers by aggregating produce to negotiate better commercial terms with supermarkets, and by offering technology and solutions, including commercially sourced seeds, soil enhancement and water-saving measures, he said. The project will initially focus on crops such as cucumbers, tomatoes and melons, using gene selection and editing techniques, rather than genetic modification, to enhance desirable traits. "This is not genetic modification," Mr Adotevi said. "It's mainly about selecting, finding and editing genes that bring certain traits out. So we're not creating something new here." Why seed innovation matters The UAE grapples with some of the harshest farming conditions in the world. "The UAE and the wider Gulf region contend with a range of environmental factors that shape their approach to food production, including limited arable land, an arid climate with high temperatures and evapotranspiration rates, elevated soil salinity, and decreasing freshwater resources," Antonios Vouloudis, senior director of sustainability and stewardship at NYU Abu Dhabi, told The National. Agriculture consumes around 60 per cent of the UAE's water supply, but meets only a fraction of the country's food demand, according to the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. In some areas, groundwater reserves, which farmers rely on for irrigation, are declining by about one metre annually. While the UAE has made significant investment in vertical farming and hydroponics, seed innovation is viewed as crucial to expanding traditional agriculture in the desert, Mr Vouloudis said. "It focuses on developing varieties resilient to heat, drought and salinity, which is essential for expanding food security beyond niche produce and complementing controlled environment agriculture approaches." Impact beyond the UAE Better seeds could help lower production costs and ultimately benefit consumers, says Mr Adotevi. "For the same piece of land, instead of producing 100kg of something, you end up producing 200kg," he said. "That means your cost comes down, and it translates into a lower cost of fruit and vegetables to the local economy." The benefits could extend beyond national borders. "We do expect that what we develop today here will have a great impact in the world. Africa, the Middle East, Asia, southern Europe and Central America: these are all areas that are experiencing water stress and heat conditions similar to what we have today," Mr Adotevi said. Mr Vouloudis added that the UAE's agritech system is designed for "the testing, scaling, and export of desert-farming innovations to other arid regions globally", particularly across Mena, Central Asia and Africa. The UAE's ambitions echo initiatives elsewhere. In Jordan and Qatar, the Sahara Forest Project, launched in 2011 by Norwegian non-profit The Bellona Foundation, has combined seawater-cooled greenhouses with renewable energy to produce vegetables in arid environments and restore degraded land. In Oman, seawater greenhouse systems, tested since the early 2000s, have demonstrated at pilot scale the ability to produce fresh water and grow crops such as tomatoes and cucumbers in desert conditions. "We're going to see a lot more technology, a lot more precision agriculture 20 years from now, and that's what we're investing in," Mr Adotevi said.
Arab News
21-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Funding flows into frontier tech as startups race to scale
RIYADH: Startups across the Middle East and Africa are attracting fresh capital as investors double down on AI, fintech, proptech, and agri-tech solutions tailored to local and regional challenges. Saudi Arabia-based Darwinz AI, known as has raised $325,000 in seed funding to accelerate development of its AI-powered productivity platform for communication professionals. The round was led by Flat6Labs and Glint Ventures, marking a milestone for the startup as it deepens its presence in the Kingdom. Originally founded in Egypt in 2021 by Emad El-Azhary and Mohy Aboualam, has evolved into a regional AI player with operations now headquartered in Riyadh. The company's flagship platform, dima, functions as an AI copilot tailored for public relations professionals, marketers, and brand managers—offering automation features that aim to improve content workflows and campaign management. According to the company, the new capital will be used to expand the Riyadh-based team, accelerate product development cycles, and prepare for a global launch. 'This round marks a new chapter,' said co-founder Aboualam. 'We're proud to call a Saudi company with Egyptian roots, and we are excited to scale globally through the thriving ecosystem here. Stay tuned — the best is yet to come.' The investment reflects growing interest in generative AI applications in the Gulf region, especially in sectors like marketing and enterprise communications, where automation and digital transformation are accelerating. XFOLIO raises $2m to modernise treasury and wealth management French-Lebenese Fintech platform XFOLIO has raised $2 million in seed funding to enhance its enterprise-focused digital infrastructure for financial institutions and wealth managers. The investment round was led by Middle East Venture Partners, and is aimed at expanding the startup's product capabilities and market reach. Founded in 2024 by Anis Rahal, XFOLIO offers a cloud-based platform that integrates portfolio management with treasury automation. It is designed to help financial institutions, family offices, and mid-sized wealth managers consolidate both bankable and non-bankable assets—providing a unified view of financial holdings and automating key back-office operations. The capital will be used to launch AI-powered recommendation tools and enable cross-bank trading, two features the company believes will enhance decision-making efficiency and improve market access for underserved clients. Prop-AI raises $1.5m to digitise real estate decisions UAE-based proptech startup Prop-AI has secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding to expand its AI-driven real estate intelligence platform. The round was led by Plus VC, with contributions from Joa Capital, Select Ventures, Oraseya Capital, Plug & Play, and angel investors from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Founded in 2023 by Ranime El-Skaff and Christian Kunz, Prop-AI uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate real estate search, valuation, and investment decision-making. We're proud to call a Saudi company with Egyptian roots, and we are excited to scale globally through the thriving ecosystem here. Mohy Aboualam Darwinz, AI co-founder & CEO The platform caters to property buyers, investors, and real estate professionals seeking data-driven insights and automated analytics. The funding will be used to integrate more regional data sets, enhance AI infrastructure, and launch new enterprise tools. The startup also plans to scale across the MENA region and into European markets. 'Our mission is to build the 'Bloomberg of Real Estate',' said Ranime El-Skaff, CEO of Prop-AI. DisrupTech backs Winich Farms in Sub-Saharan Africa debut Cairo-based DisrupTech Ventures has made its first Sub-Saharan Africa investment by backing Winich Farms, a Nigerian agri-fintech startup, in its ongoing pre-series A round. The move signals the fund's broader interest in scalable fintech solutions addressing critical needs in Africa's agriculture economy. Winich Farms operates in 29 of Nigeria's 36 states and has built a platform focused on improving financial inclusion and market access for over 180,000 smallholder farmers. The company connects producers directly with buyers and provides access to financing tools that reduce post-harvest losses and price volatility. The startup plans to expand its operations beyond Nigeria and explore export opportunities into the MENA region, positioning itself as a cross-continental player in agri-fintech innovation. 'Our investment in Winich reflects our conviction in the potential of Nigeria's agri-fintech sector and the scalability of its model,' said Mohamed Okasha, managing partner at DisrupTech Ventures. 'Winich is not only solving real problems for smallholder farmers but doing so with a scalable model. Agriculture is also core to Egypt's economy, and we look forward to sharing insights and best practices between both markets as Winich grows across the continent.' Octane raises $5.2m to streamline fleet payments Egyptian fintech Octane has raised $5.2 million in a funding round led by Shorooq Partners, Algebra Ventures, and SC Holding. The Cairo-based company was co-founded in 2022 by Amr Gamal and Ziad Eladawy, and offers a closed-loop wallet system that consolidates fleet-related expenses including fuel, maintenance, and petty cash. Octane targets fleet operators and logistics companies that currently rely on fragmented financial systems. Its platform provides tools for financial control, analytics, and cost optimisation. 'At Octane, we're focused on giving fleets the rails they need to manage day-to-day payments with precision,' said Amr Gamal, Co-Founder and CEO of Octane. 'This funding lets us broaden our acceptance network, expand AI-powered fraud detection and route optimisation features, and stay ahead of the shift toward cleaner, more efficient mobility, without adding complexity for our customers.' The startup plans to use the new funds to grow its merchant network, expand regionally, and integrate more AI capabilities into its transaction processing and route planning tools. OCTA secures $20m credit line to support SME automation UAE-based fintech OCTA has secured a $20 million credit facility from Sukna Fund for Direct Financing, reinforcing its mission to embed financial services into the daily operations of small and medium-sized enterprises. The new facility follows OCTA's $2.25 million pre-seed round closed in October 2024, co-led by Quona Capital and Sadu Capital. Founded in 2024 by Jon Santillan, Andrey Korchak, and Nupur Mittal, OCTA automates the contract-to-cash process for SMEs—covering invoicing, collections, payments, and now embedded credit. The company claims to offer a unified platform that helps SMEs overcome working capital constraints and cash flow inefficiencies. 'Most SMEs don't fail because they lack revenue — they fail because their cash is locked up,' said Jon Santillan, co-founder and CEO of OCTA. 'Our partnership with Sukna Fund allows us to bring financing directly into the heart of daily operations, where businesses need it most.' The funds will help OCTA scale across Saudi Arabia and other Gulf markets as it targets the underserved mid-market SME segment. SaturnX raises $3m to expand stablecoin-based remittances Dubai-based SaturnX has closed a $3 million seed round led by White Star Capital, with additional support from institutional backers. Founded in 2024 by Mirnas Brescic, SaturnX provides an API-based infrastructure layer for stablecoin payments, designed specifically for business-to-business financial service providers. The new capital will support expansion into Southeast Asia, with initial focus on high-volume remittance corridors such as the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. SaturnX also plans to enhance compliance and enterprise features on its API platform. 'Our vision is to connect the worlds of decentralised and traditional finance with infrastructure that brings the benefits of stablecoins to everyday financial use cases,' said Mirnas Brescic, CEO and Founder of SaturnX. 'Despite considerable progress, cross-border payments are still expensive and slow. By offering a faster, cheaper, and programmable alternative, we're helping financial partners unlock better ways to move money.'
