Upside Robotics is reducing fertilizer use and waste in corn crops

In 2023, two innovators, Jana Tian and Sam Dugan, united with a shared vision of creating a company that would address the intertwined challenges of climate change and agricultural efficiency. Fast forward to less than a year later, the duo found themselves camping alongside a cornfield in Canada, laying the groundwork for their ambitious robotics startup, Upside Robotics. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, Upside Robotics specializes in developing lightweight, solar-powered autonomous robots designed to optimize fertilizer application. These robots are equipped with proprietary software that analyzes weather and soil conditions to determine the precise amount of nutrients crops require at any given time. Focusing initially on corn—an exceptionally fertilizer-dependent crop—was a strategic choice, as co-founder and CEO Jana Tian explained to TechCrunch. Tian and Dugan's journey began at the Entrepreneurs First accelerator, where they recognized the potential to minimize fertilizer waste through innovative robotic solutions. Their backgrounds played a significant role in this decision; Dugan has been passionate about robotics since childhood, while Tian brings a wealth of experience as a chemical engineer from her tenure at Unilever. Engagement with local farmers revealed a clear demand for more efficient fertilization methods. "Historically, only 30% of applied fertilizer is absorbed by crops, leading to significant waste," Tian remarked. Traditional practices often involve a single application per season, compelling farmers to overestimate their needs at planting time. Upside Robotics aims to change that by delivering nutrients throughout the growing season. Formally established in 2024, Upside Robotics literally took to the fields, living in a camper trailer as they conducted extensive on-site research. Dugan developed a remote-controlled prototype in just two weeks, which they used to gather data and demonstrate their fertilization system to farmers. "During our first year, we manually applied fertilizer, allowing us to rapidly refine both our hardware and our understanding of farmers’ needs," Tian noted, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience in agriculture. After a successful first season, the team focused on enhancing their robots for the 2025 growing season, expanding their reach from 70 acres to 1,200. With plans to serve over 3,000 acres in 2026 and maintaining a 100% customer retention rate, the impact of their technology is clear. Upside Robotics has reported a remarkable 70% reduction in fertilizer usage for its clients, translating to savings of approximately $150 per acre each season. Recently, the startup secured $7.5 million in seed funding led by Plural, with contributions from Garage Capital and the founders of Clearpath Robotics. This investment will fuel ongoing research and development as they work to address demand, with over 200 farms currently on their waitlist. Upside Robotics also has ambitions to expand beyond Canada, with sights set on the U.S. corn belt. The journey of Upside Robotics underscores a significant trend in agriculture: farmers are increasingly willing to adopt innovative solutions that provide clear returns on investment. "We didn’t have to sell our technology; the farmers were asking for it," Tian concluded, reflecting the changing landscape of agricultural practices driven by the need for sustainability and efficiency.