Nanovel secures $2.85 million EU grant for citrus harvesting robots

Nanovel has secured a €2.5 million ($2.85 million) non-dilutive grant from the European Innovation Council Accelerator to commercialize its artificial intelligence-powered citrus harvesting robots. The company is also eligible for up to €4.3 million ($4.91 million) in equity financing from the EIC Fund, which could anchor a planned funding round of about €8 million ($9.13 million). The conversions use the European Central Bank’s July 21 reference rate of $1.1408 per euro.

Nanovel plans to use the Horizon Europe grant to complete development of a commercially ready autonomous harvesting platform initially designed for oranges and lemons. The company is expanding its European operations and preparing field trials with growers in Spain and Italy ahead of a targeted commercial launch in 2028. Nanovel estimates the addressable annual market for harvesting the two citrus crops at about $1 billion.

The system uses computer vision and deep learning to identify fruit within dense tree canopies. Multiple telescopic arms then guide Nanovel’s patented “Grip & Trim” mechanism, which holds each fruit and cuts its stem to avoid damage. A central onboard computer coordinates the arms, while a remote management platform supervises the wider robot fleet.

Nanovel has tested the technology in Israel, Europe and the U.S., including a California validation program with the Citrus Research Board in fall 2025. The company, founded in 2018 by Chief Executive Isaac Mazor, plans to adapt the platform for other citrus varieties and crops, including mangoes, peaches, and nectarines. The new funding follows a $900,000 agreement with the Citrus Research Board, announced in 2024, to support the development and field testing of the harvesting system.