Ag Startup Engine announced today an initial investment of $50,000 in Herman, Nebraska-based Birds Eye Robotics. Birds Eye Robotics designs broiler house solutions to improve facility upkeep and bird welfare, and to address labor market pressure on poultry farmers.

“Birds Eye Robotics supports commercial poultry operations through cutting edge technology and farmer common sense,” said Scott Niewohner, CEO of Birds Eye Robotics in a statement. “Our autonomous caretaker robot focuses on animal welfare by removing mortality, stimulating birds, and tilling up caked bedding.”

The company is currently partnering with select poultry growers and operators across the Midwest as part of their pilot test program.

Ag Startup Engine is excited to welcome Birds Eye Robotics into its network of startups. “Birds Eye Robotics is innovating at the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence and animal health,” commented Joel Harris of Ag Startup Engine. “Their technology will soon be at work in broiler houses in Iowa, Nebraska and beyond.”

Ag Startup Engine was launched four years ago to help address two fundamental gaps that prevent agricultural startups and entrepreneurs from being more successful: early seed-stage investment and organized mentorship from successful entrepreneurs. With the program’s second fund, their goal is to accept and invest in 45 agriculture and animal health startups in the next five years.

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Ames startup Farmers Risk receives $50,000 investment from Ag Startup Engine -July 30, 2021

Ag Startup Engine raises second fund of $2.25 million to invest in startups over the next five years -Feb. 9, 2021

Ag Startup Engine announces two $50,000 investments -March 1, 2021