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Upside Robotics, based in Waterloo, Ontario, was founded in 2024 by Jana Tian and Sam Dugan, focusing on reducing fertilizer waste in corn crops through autonomous robots. The robots are designed to deliver the right amounts of fertilizer based on real-time weather and soil data.

Upside's approach aims to address the inefficiency of traditional fertilizer application, where only 30% is utilized. After a successful 2024 testing phase, the company plans to expand from 1,200 acres in 2025 to over 3,000 acres in 2026.

They have achieved 100% customer retention and reported a 70% reduction in fertilizer use, saving farmers $150 per acre. A recent $7.5 million seed round will fund further development and expansion into the U.S. market.