Dutch-based Odd.Bot raises €2M to promote chemical-free weeding with its autonomous robots

Netherlands-based Odd.Bot, a startup focused on autonomous agricultural robots, has secured €2M in growth capital during a pre-series A funding round.

The investment was led by Iconic Ventures, with additional contributions from PolKa Capital Management, regional farmers, private investors, and Horizon, the development agency of Flevoland.

In a statement translated from Dutch, Dirk Kronemeijer, partner at Iconic Ventures, says, “The collaboration fits seamlessly with Iconic Ventures’ strategy, which focuses on supporting entrepreneurs who create groundbreaking solutions for climate and sustainability challenges.”

“Odd.Bot is a perfect example of such an innovative company, with its smart agricultural robot that replaces chemical weed control with intelligent, environmentally friendly technology.”

Robotics for a sustainable future

Founded by Martijn Lukaart, Odd.Bot has developed an autonomous mechanical in-row weeding robot, the successor to manual and chemical weeding methods.

The robot operates day and night, effectively identifying and removing weeds in high-density, high-value crops without the use of harmful chemicals.

The company originated from a collaboration with the Technical University of Delft and RoboHouse in 2018. A student team developed the first Proof of Principle for a weeding robot, which was demonstrated in January 2019. 

Odd.Bot received initial funding from the TMI Proof of Concept Fund Flevoland in May 2019. In 2020, the first Proof of Concept was demonstrated, followed by performance validation of the Weed Whacker by Wageningen University & Research in 2021. The second-generation machine, Quirky, was tested in 2022.

In 2023, the company deployed the first two Weed Whacko robots, offering weeding services to farmers. By 2024, Odd.Bot launched the complete Maverick system, which includes autonomous weeding tools and is now being sold to OEMs and system integrators.

The Maverick robot operates without pesticides or herbicides, leading to cleaner crops, healthier soil, and biodiversity preservation. This reduces the reliance on chemical control methods, promoting a cleaner ecosystem and healthier harvests.

Demand drives Odd.Bot’s growth

The funding comes at an important time for Odd.Bot. The first 16 Maverick weeding robots for 2025 have already sold out, showing strong interest in the technology.

Martijn Lukaart, CEO of Odd.Bot, says, “The demand for our weeding robots confirms that we are responding to an urgent need in the agricultural sector. We have chosen to deliberately limit our production capacity for the time being in order to guarantee high quality and excellent service, together with our local partners.”

Odd.Bot has grown into an international company, with sales in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France. Its expansion highlights the rising demand for sustainable agricultural solutions.

CEO Lukaart adds, “The challenges in the agricultural sector, such as labour shortages and stricter regulations on agrochemicals, have led to a growing need for innovative technologies such as our weeding robots.”

In addition, Lukaart emphasises that government incentives contribute to the adoption of chemical-free weed control. “Our robots not only offer growers a sustainable alternative, but also help them meet the changing demands in the sector.”

Expanding applications for precision farming

Odd.Bot is expanding its focus beyond weed control, leveraging advanced AI and vision technology to develop new applications. These innovations aim to support a wider range of crops and help conventional farmers reduce chemical use after crop emergence.

Additionally, the company partners with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to expand the reach of its technology in the agricultural sector. 

This collaboration aims to advance precision farming globally, supporting sustainable practices and driving innovation across the agricultural value chain.