Dogtooth Technologies, a pioneer in AI-powered robotic harvesting systems, has secured over £14 million in growth capital to accelerate the commercial deployment of its harvesting robots across the UK and international markets.
The funding is a mixture of equity from 24 Haymarket, EMV Capital and ACF Investors, grants from Innovate UK, and a venture leasing facility from Kineo Finance.
It will enable Dogtooth to expand commercial deployments, strengthen its technology platform and accelerate the adoption of autonomous harvesting systems across the global horticulture sector, helping growers build more resilient production systems and supporting long-term global food security.
Dogtooth has already successfully demonstrated the commercial readiness of its technology, including the recent delivery of its systems to Dyson Farming.
While recent advances in generative AI have transformed digital workflows, increasing attention is now turning towards ‘embodied AI’ – the application of artificial intelligence to machines that can perceive and interact with the physical world.
Industry observers increasingly view embodied AI as the next major frontier of AI deployment, with agricultural robotics representing one of its earliest and most commercially compelling applications.
Dogtooth has built and deployed autonomous robotic systems that combine advanced computer vision, AI and precision robotic manipulation to navigate complex growing environments, identify ripe fruit, and harvest delicate crops with the reliability and accuracy required for large-scale commercial farming.
“This investment represents a significant milestone for Dogtooth and for the broader adoption of embodied AI in agriculture,” said Duncan Robertson, CEO, Dogtooth Technologies.
“For many years, robotic harvesting has been viewed as a distant aspiration. Today, growers are deploying our robots on commercial farms because labour shortages are a reality that cannot be ignored.
“The convergence of AI, robotics and practical customer demand is creating a unique opportunity to transform the production of fruit and vegetable produce.”
Paul Tselentis, managing director, 24 Haymarket, added: “Dogtooth has established itself as one of the world’s leading agricultural robotics companies through a combination of deep technical expertise, perseverance, and commercial focus. The team has achieved what many believed would be impossible: reliably harvesting delicate crops in real-world commercial environments.”
Tim Mills, managing partner, ACF Investors, commented: “Having backed Dogtooth from its early days, we have seen the exceptional progress the company has made in developing and deploying technology that addresses one of agriculture’s most significant challenges and demonstrates the substantial commercial potential of robotics in the sector.”
Ilian Iliev, managing director, EMV Capital, said: “Precision robotics and AI applied to agriculture at commercial scale is exactly the kind of outsized, real-world impact EMV Capital seeks to invest in. Dogtooth exemplifies our investment thesis: finding world-class deeptech teams early, adding value through our platform, and scaling our commitment as the business proves itself.
“Having backed the company since pre-seed through Martlet Capital, we are continuing that support through our EIS Fund and private practice — reflecting our view that the strongest investor relationships deepen as a business matures.”