Vancouver’s Verdi raises $6.5M to scale AI-powered irrigation automation and expand across North America.
In a bid to transform traditional agriculture with smart technology, Vancouver-based agtech startup Verdi has raised $6.5 million CAD in seed funding to automate and modernize irrigation systems across North American farms.
Retrofitting Irrigation with IoT Innovation
Founded in 2020 by Arthur Chen (CEO) and Roman Kozak (CTO), Verdi offers compact IoT-powered devices that connect directly to existing irrigation infrastructure. These tools allow farmers to control water delivery row by row, ensuring precision and reducing waste. With more than 5,000 acres already under Verdi-powered irrigation, the startup is positioning itself as a leader in practical agricultural automation.
Funding Backed by Global Confidence
The seed round was led by California-based SVG Ventures, alongside a host of predominantly American investors including NEC X, Ponderosa Ventures, and Elemental Impact. Canadian and international supporters included Toronto-based Waterpoint Lane, GenomeBC, and Cyan Ventures of Melbourne, Australia.
The new capital brings Verdi’s total funding to $9.5 million CAD. The company plans to use the funds to expand into new markets, accelerate hiring, and develop AI-powered irrigation intelligence tools that deepen value for large agribusiness clients.
Practical Innovation for a Climate-Resilient Future
John Hartnett, CEO of SVG Ventures, noted that Verdi’s practical approach—integrating with existing farm infrastructure instead of replacing it—makes their platform scalable and immediately valuable.
“Verdi is solving one of agriculture’s biggest challenges—climate resilience—through innovation that’s both smart and scalable,” said Hartnett. “They’re helping growers remain competitive as environmental conditions shift.”
Rapid Growth Driven by Real-World Need
Over the past year, Verdi has more than doubled its team to 24 employees, spanning agronomy, hardware engineering, and AI development. Their growth reflects a broader shift in agriculture: toward data-driven precision and sustainability.
As the agtech space heats up, Verdi stands out by delivering accessible, retrofit-ready solutions to an industry eager for efficiency and resilience.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for the latest in Canadian innovation and agtech advancements.
