TerraClear pulls in $15M in funding for rock-clearing robots

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TerraClear has received a significant boost in its path to commercialization with an additional $15 million in funding from its existing investors. According to Crunchbase, the company has raised $53.4 million in funding since its founding in 2017.

In 2023, TerraClear solved the mechanical and software challenges of locating and removing rocks from farmland. The solution uses a combination of aerial drone imaging and autonomous rock pickers to find and remove rocks from the field.

In its next phase of development, the company’s primary goal is to make these autonomous solutions accessible to all farmers, where the product pitch centers on improved efficiency and cost reduction. With the additional funding, TerraClear has plans to expand its commercial sales operation, strengthen its distribution partnerships, and further develop the robotic rock management technology.

Currently, the company is primarily focused on America’s heartland, where farmers of all sizes are experiencing the process of rock clearance for the first time. There is also interest from Europe, Australia, and Canada.

According to the company, new customers usng the Rock Map and TC80 technology provide entertainment for the entire family during the rock-picking operations. TerraClear is providing a unique solution for a problem that has persisted for 5,000 years.

Farmers enthralled by a product demo in their fields

The farmers are “show me” customers. Most new clients are willing to commit 400-500 acres to a rock management pilot demonstration. According to the company, most customers are quick to ask to clear another 2000+ acres.

“Labor savings is huge. We took our crew of nine people down to one person. And it took just one week versus two weeks before,” said Minnesota farmer Jacob Ebeling. Iowa farmer Lance Lillibrige said, “It saved us a lot of time and a lot of money. And not just savings on labor, but savings from less equipment damage too.”

“Our success is in developing innovative yet practical solutions that solve farmers’ problems,” said Trevor Thompson, president of TerraClear. “The additional funds enable us to move faster to meet demand, as well as increase investment in strategic OEM partnerships, and advance our technology.”

The go-to market for the company is primarily through distributors, ag retailers, and service providers that have established relationships in the farming communities. The solution is also offered as a service, enabling the local service providers to expand their offerings with their local communities.

TerraClear is a 2022 RBR50 honoree for its innovation in autonomous rock picking.