InBC has committed our first follow-on investment in a company to 4AG Robotics, developer of the first fully autonomous mushroom harvesting system.
4AG Robotics was InBC’s first direct investment in a company, which we announced in the fall of 2023. In less than two years, we have watched the company grow from prototype to its autonomous, vision-guided mushroom harvesting robots now deployed on three continents, helping farmers in B.C. and across the world to improve operating efficiencies and reduce food waste while addressing labour challenges.
Mushroom farming is the original vertical farm and today, mushrooms grow on aluminum shelves known as “Dutch racks” in dark, humid environments. Because mushrooms double in size every 24 hours, harvesting is required around the clock. This work is physically demanding with workers reaching between shelves to hand-pick the mushrooms. 4AG Robotics is tackling this global challenge — addressing labour shortages, improving product consistency, and optimizing mushroom yield and quality through advanced automation and AI.
The Forager HX400: 4AG Robotics’ autonomous, vision-guided mushroom harvesting robot.
The company’s autonomous, vision-guided robots can pick, trim and pack mushrooms. They are retrofitted directly to a farm’s existing shelving and are mobile between growing rooms for optimal efficiency. This flexibility enables 4AG to scale the deployment of its robots onto farms across the world. Integrated with AI, the robots continue to make smarter decisions over time — on which mushrooms to harvest, when to harvest and how to optimize trimming — continuously improving yield and quality.
4AG Robotics employees building Forager HX400 harvesting robots and installing them onto farms.
The company, based in Salmon Arm, recently expanded with a satellite office in Vancouver, representing a significant milestone in its growth. 4AG proves that you can build a global category leader in a small town, supporting economic growth and jobs in its community. Last month, the Thompson Okanagan Business Excellence Awards recognized 4AG as Big Business of the Year for its economic impact in the region.
InBC committed our follow-on investment to 4AG Robotics’ Series B alongside other investors, which closed at $40 million — an up round in a market where that’s increasingly rare. The raise comes on the heels of rapid commercial growth: 4AG has expanded across three continents, sold dozens of robots and deployed systems at the world’s leading mushroom farms, all while building from a small town in B.C. In a capital- and labour-constrained sector, this traction is no small feat. The new investment will support the company’s continued global expansion, team growth and mission to build a more sustainable food system powered by B.C. innovation.
Congratulations to the entire 4AG Robotics team for its achievements.
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