Vancouver-based agtech startup Verdi has raised CAD $6.5 million in seed funding to bring smart irrigation automation to farms across North America.
The company, which retrofits existing irrigation systems with IoT-enabled precision control tools, aims to help farmers manage water more efficiently—one row at a time.
Backed by US and global investors
The round was led by California’s SVG Ventures, with participation from a roster of U.S. and international investors including NEC X, Ponderosa Ventures, Elemental Impact, One Small Planet, VentureUs, Dangerous Ventures, Jetstream, and Echo River Capital. Canadian firm Waterpoint Lane and GenomeBC joined the round, as did Australia’s Cyan Ventures.
Founded in 2020 by CEO Arthur Chen and CTO Roman Kozak, Verdi enables farmers to digitally manage and automate their irrigation processes without needing to replace infrastructure. The solution is already powering over 5,000 acres of farmland across North America.
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Fueling expansion and AI innovation
The new capital will be used to expand Verdi’s geographic reach, grow its 24-person team, and develop AI-driven tools for more advanced precision agriculture. The company plans to strengthen partnerships with major agribusinesses as it scales.
“Our platform’s ability to integrate with existing infrastructure makes it a game-changer for growers,” said SVG Ventures CEO John Hartnett. “It’s a practical and scalable answer to the climate resilience challenge facing agriculture today.”
From retrofit to rapid growth
Verdi’s strategy of retrofitting rather than replacing irrigation systems has accelerated adoption, with a particular focus on U.S. and Canadian markets. Over the past year, the startup has more than doubled its team, expanding across agronomy, hardware engineering, and AI-powered software development.
With total funding now at $9.5 million CAD, Verdi is well-positioned to help farmers navigate rising climate pressures while increasing productivity and reducing water waste.
