Amsterdam’s Collie raises €3.5M to help farmers manage their herds with just a collar and an app

Amsterdam-based Collie, a livestock management startup, has raised €3.5M in funding from a Dutch VC firm Freigeist Capital.

The investment aims to support the company’s efforts to enhance sustainable farming practices by optimising the balance between animals and plants while maintaining farm efficiency and profitability.

Supporting farmers for a sustainable future

Founded in 2023 by Daniel Reisman, Chris Bloomfield and Kibet Kipkemoi, Collie was created to help farmers overcome modern challenges while promoting sustainable agriculture. 

Farmers must produce more while complying with stricter regulations, ensuring animal welfare, and managing land responsibly—all while staying profitable. 

Traditional animal agriculture practices contribute to environmental issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation, making sustainable solutions crucial for the future of farming.

Collie’s mission is to restore balance between animals and plants through innovative technology. 

The company’s smart collars and app enable virtual fencing and herding, allowing farmers to manage their herds remotely with sound and vibration cues. This reduces labour, costs, and stress on animals while improving soil health and biodiversity.

Key features of Collie’s technology include:

• Virtual Fencing & Herding: Smart collars use sound and vibration to guide cows, ensuring stress-free movement.
• Solar-Powered Design: Reliable energy source for both indoor and outdoor use.
• Cloud Integration: Continuous updates and insights for better herd management.
• Durability & Comfort: Sturdy yet ergonomic collars designed for minimal interference with natural behaviour.
• Smart App: Provides real-time monitoring, precise grazing control, and remote herd guidance.

By equipping farmers with these tools, Collie aims to make agriculture more efficient, profitable, and environmentally friendly, ensuring a sustainable future for both farmers and the planet.

Brief about the investor supporting Collie

Freigeist Capital is a privately owned investment fund specialising in early-stage investments in disruptive technology companies. 

The firm is known for backing startups such as Lilium, RobCo, Kraftblock, Xentral, and Endurosat. Notable exits include Wunderlist (acquired by Microsoft), MyTaxi (acquired by Daimler), and kaufDA (acquired by Springer).

Led by founders Frank Thelen, Marc Sieberger, Alex Koch, Marcel Vogler, Niklas Hebborn, and Domenico Cipolla, Freigeist focuses on identifying visionary entrepreneurs, often before their companies are established. 

The firm provides capital, strategic guidance, and hands-on support. It typically makes one to two investments annually to ensure dedicated collaboration with founders.