In a strategic move to bolster its technological prowess, vertical farming company Oishii has acquired the key intellectual property and assets of Colorado-based Tortuga AgTech. The deal, which includes the integration of Tortuga’s advanced robotics technologies, is set to accelerate Oishii’s automation capabilities and enhance its competitive edge in the vertical farming sector.
Oishii, renowned for its premium strawberries and tomatoes, has been steadily expanding its reach across the United States. The company’s recent $134 million fundraising round in 2024 has fueled its growth, enabling it to bring its fresh produce to more regions, including D.C., Chicago, Virginia, Texas, and Wisconsin. This acquisition of Tortuga AgTech’s technology is the latest step in Oishii’s journey to revolutionize agriculture through innovation.
Tortuga AgTech, founded in 2016, has developed a fleet of 150 robots designed to harvest strawberries, table grapes, and berries. These robots not only pick the fruits but also collect valuable data from plants, perform tasks like trimming, and treat plants with UV-C light. The company’s technology has been deployed in Oishii’s farm units since last fall, demonstrating a successful partnership that has now culminated in this acquisition.
The integration of Tortuga’s AI models, frontier robotics software, and custom hardware into Oishii’s existing robotic system is expected to significantly enhance the company’s harvesting capabilities. Oishii claims that these advancements will enable their robots to surpass human farmers in strawberry picking, reducing harvest expenses by 50%. This is a bold assertion, given the complexities involved in automating the harvest process.
Oishii’s cofounder and COO, Brendan Somerville, emphasized the importance of staying at the forefront of agricultural innovation. “We have had our eye on Tortuga AgTech’s growth over the years,” he said, highlighting the company’s successful deployment of $50 million in capital over eight years to develop industry-leading technology. The acquisition is a testament to Oishii’s commitment to building stronger infrastructure and advancing in the field of vertical farming.
For Tortuga AgTech, the deal presents a promising future. CEO and cofounder Eric Adamson noted that Oishii’s strong vision and industry leadership provide the best chance for Tortuga’s technology to achieve industry-changing success. The integration of Tortuga’s team into Oishii’s operations is already underway, with key members of Tortuga’s engineering team joining forces to contribute to ongoing innovation and development efforts.
The acquisition comes at a time when the agritech venture capital landscape has seen a downturn, making strategic partnerships and acquisitions even more crucial. Oishii’s ability to navigate this challenging environment and continue to thrive is a testament to its innovative approach and strong market positioning.
As Oishii integrates Tortuga’s technologies into its production facilities, the company is poised to further expand its robotics expertise and accelerate its growth. While specific future innovations remain under wraps, the collaboration between Oishii and Tortuga AgTech is set to drive significant advancements in vertical farming, ultimately benefiting consumers with fresher, more sustainably grown produce.
