Upside Robotics targets fertilizer waste in corn with autonomous field robots

Upside Robotics, a Waterloo, Ontario-based agricultural technology startup, is deploying lightweight, solar-powered autonomous robots designed to reduce fertilizer use in corn production, one of the most nutrient-intensive crops.

Founded in 2024, the company develops robots that apply fertilizer in smaller, targeted doses throughout the growing season rather than in a single, front-loaded application. Its software uses proprietary algorithms that analyze weather and soil data to determine when and how much fertilizer crops require.
Co-founder and chief executive Jana Tian said the company chose to focus on corn because of its high fertilizer demand. Traditional application methods result in only about 30% of fertilizer being absorbed by crops, she said, with the remainder lost to runoff or other inefficiencies.

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Farmers typically apply fertilizer once per season, requiring them to apply large quantities at the outset. Upside’s system instead delivers nutrients incrementally as crops need them, aiming to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

Tian and co-founder and chief technology officer Sam Dugan met in 2023 through the Entrepreneurs First accelerator program. Both were seeking to build a company focused on climate and agriculture. Dugan had been building robots since childhood, while Tian previously worked as a chemical engineer in the food division at Unilever.

In its first year, the company tested its concept directly in farmers’ fields. The founders purchased a camper trailer and traveled between sites during the 2024 growing season, conducting manual fertilizer applications using an early prototype built from a modified remote-controlled vehicle. The hands-on approach allowed the team to refine both hardware and software while gathering feedback from growers.

Upside operated across 70 acres in 2024. After developing a fourth-generation robot during the off-season, it expanded coverage to 1,200 acres in 2025. The company expects to serve more than 3,000 acres in the 2026 season and reports full customer retention since launch.

According to Upside, its system has enabled participating farms to reduce fertilizer use by 70%, translating into savings of roughly $150 per acre per season.

The startup recently raised $7.5 million in seed funding led by Plural, with participation from Garage Capital and the founders of Clearpath Robotics. The company said the capital will support further research and development and help meet demand; more than 200 farms are currently on its waitlist.

Upside plans to expand beyond Canada, targeting entry into the U.S. corn belt as it scales operations. Tian said adoption has been driven by demonstrable returns on investment, with many farmers approaching the company after seeing results in neighboring fields.