California robotics startup battles for innovation prize

A California Farm Bureau member has been selected as a top 10 semifinalist and will compete for $100,000 in startup funding as part of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 Ag Innovation Challenge. 

Merced-based Gather, which creates robotic tools for farms to increase harvest efficiency and farmworker safety, will compete in a virtual-pitch round Sept. 9. 

If chosen to advance as finalists, four companies will each be awarded $10,000 and travel to the 2026 AFBF Convention in Anaheim in January to make a live pitch in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives. 

The winner will receive an additional $90,000, and the runner-up will be awarded another $15,000. 

Using artificial intelligence, Gather makes semi-autonomous robots to transport crops in the field between pickers and packers. In its pitch, the company said its product requires minimal setup and training, is simple to operate, and is compact and lightweight. 

“Our ‘iPod, not iPhone’ approach delivers simplicity, affordability and scalability to the agricultural industry,” the company said. 

This year, Gather has deployed its first rovers to large table-grape farms, small farms and universities in California, Tennessee and Arkansas, with revenue of $100,000 to $150,000. The rover is being used by Kingsburg-based HMC Farms, which grows table grapes.  

The company said its product enables food resiliency via regional economic development and accessible innovation; by improving farmworker safety and income;  and by reducing postharvest food loss.

Elemental Impact, a leading climate technology imvestor, has given $350,000 to the company.   

The Ag Innovative Challenge competition showcases U.S. startups developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing U.S. farmers, ranchers and rural communities, according to AFBF. Now in its 12th year, the contest was the first to focus exclusively on rural entrepreneurs. 

Done in partnership with Farm Credit, the competition looks for top entrepreneurs who address new and traditional challenges farmers face on their operations, including access to labor, optimizing yield and reducing operating costs. Entrepreneurs must be Farm Bureau members to qualify as a top 10 semifinalist. 

To learn more, visit fb.org/challenge.