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Lelystad-based Odd.Bot, a pioneer in autonomous agricultural robotics, has secured €2 million in growth capital during a pre-Series A funding round. The investment, led by Iconic Ventures, alongside PolKa Capital Management, regional farmers, private investors, and Horizon (Flevoland’s development agency), will accelerate the development and commercialization of Odd.Bot’s Maverick—a fully autonomous, AI-powered weeding robot designed to eliminate manual labor and chemical herbicides in farming.
The funding comes at a pivotal time for Odd.Bot, as the first 16 Maverick weeding robots for 2025 have already sold out, indicating strong market interest. CEO Martijn Lukaart stated, “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.”
Founded in 2018 by Martijn Lukaart, Odd.Bot emerged from a collaboration with TU Delft and RoboHouse, where a student team first conceptualized an autonomous weeding robot. The company has since advanced through key milestones, including:
2019: Secured initial funding from the TMI Proof of Concept Fund Flevoland.
2020: Successfully demonstrated its first proof of concept.
2021: Wageningen University & Research validated the performance of Odd.Bot’s ‘Weed Whacker’.
2022: Tested the second-generation prototype, ‘Quirky.’
2023: Deployed the first two commercial ‘Weed Whacko’ robots, offering weeding services to farmers.
2024: Official launch of Maverick, a fully developed system now sold to OEMs and system integrators.
Odd.Bot has already made inroads into the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France, underscoring the growing demand for sustainable agricultural technology. The Maverick robot, priced between €90,000 and €120,000, can weed approximately one hectare daily. It supports crops such as carrots, onions, and chicory, leveraging AI vision-based navigation to follow crop rows without relying on external signals.
Lukaart noted, “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. […] Our robots not only offer growers a sustainable alternative, but also help them meet the changing demands in the sector.”
For added flexibility, Odd.Bot plans to introduce Odd.Bot Weader is a modular AI-driven weeding attachment for standard tractors. This option allows farmers to integrate advanced weeding capabilities without replacing existing equipment.
Addressing Labour Shortages and Environmental Challenges
With agriculture facing labour shortages and increasing restrictions on chemical herbicides, Odd.Bot’s autonomous weeding solutions present a scalable, eco-friendly alternative. By eliminating harmful chemicals, Maverick promotes cleaner crops, healthier soil, and biodiversity preservation, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient farming future.
Dirk Kronemeijer, partner at Iconic Ventures, said “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.”
Backed by strong investor support and international expansion, Odd.Bot is positioned to redefine precision agriculture, offering farmers cutting-edge solutions to enhance productivity while safeguarding the environment.
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