
Serra Ventures is an early stage venture capital firm investing in technology companies in emerging Midwest technology centers and selected other geographies. Sectors we focus on include information technology, devices/instrumentation and agricultural technologies.
The profile of our ideal startup is one that has just finished an accelerator program, an I-Corps program or has been through a round of seed funding to establish and prove a strong product-market fit. We fund startups with the following characteristics:
- Teams that have strong industry and/or technical experience.
- A capital efficient business model.
- Demonstrated product-market fit.
- Referenceable customer base.
- Strong patent or technology advantage.
We are headquartered in the University of Illinois Research Park in Champaign, Illinois. Champaign’s central Midwest location enables us to act local in several Midwest markets. Entrepreneurs know that critical business issues requiring advice are rarely scheduled. Our central location means we can work hands-on with our entrepreneurs at a moment’s notice when they need us the most.
The profile of our ideal startup is one that has just finished an accelerator program, an I-Corps program or has been through a round of seed funding to establish and prove a strong product-market fit. We fund startups with the following characteristics:
- Teams that have strong industry and/or technical experience.
- A capital efficient business model.
- Demonstrated product-market fit.
- Referenceable customer base.
- Strong patent or technology advantage.
We are headquartered in the University of Illinois Research Park in Champaign, Illinois. Champaign’s central Midwest location enables us to act local in several Midwest markets. Entrepreneurs know that critical business issues requiring advice are rarely scheduled. Our central location means we can work hands-on with our entrepreneurs at a moment’s notice when they need us the most.
Location: United States, Illinois, Champaign
Employees: 1-10
Phone:+1 217-819-5200
Investment Type: Venture Capital; Accelerator
Investment Stage: Pre-Seed; Seed; Series A
Portfolio 2
Date | Name | Website | Total Raised | Location |
24.02.2022 | FoodMaven | foodmaven.com | $37.4M | United Sta... |
16.09.2019 | VeriSIM Li... | verisimlife.com | $20.2M | - |
Mentions in press and media 19
Date | Title | Description |
03.02.2025 | With a fresh $15m, Bonsai Robotics stresses the need for ‘an AI first approach’ to on-farm autonomy | Farm machinery design has always centered on the needs of humans, but the growing presence of autonomy in agriculture could change this, suggests Tyler Niday, cofounder and CEO of US-based Bonsai Robotics. “With autonomy, you can reimagine ... |
29.01.2025 | Bonsai Robotics Cultivates Growth with $15 Million Series A Funding | In the heart of Silicon Valley, a new wave of innovation is sprouting. Bonsai Robotics Inc., a San Jose-based company, has successfully raised $15 million in Series A funding. This financial boost is not just a number; it’s a seed planted f... |
29.01.2025 | Bonsai Robotics Secures $15 Million in Series A Funding to Advance Its Physical AI Solutions for Agriculture Applications | Funding will be used to enhance vision-based autonomous technology and to drive commercialization efforts Related Posts Gen AI is Fueling a New Wave of Fraud in Africa, 2025 Smile ID Report Reveals Jan 29, 2025 Infosys and Siemens AG to Acc... |
03.12.2024 | EarthOptics: Soil Digitization Company Raises $24 Million | EarthOptics, an industry leader in soil digitization and Predictive Agronomy, announced the completion of $24 million in financing. This funding includes new partners Cibus Capital, RuralWorks Partners, and Norinchukin Bank and is led by cu... |
29.03.2024 | HerdDogg: Livestock Management Company Raises Funding In Round Led By Serra And Wonder Fund North Dakota | HerdDogg, a leader in data-driven livestock management, announced the closing of its Series A-4 Preferred Equity financing. This significant investment will accelerate commercialization and fuel innovative hardware and data solutions for th... |
18.01.2024 | The Week in AgriFoodTech: Agrotoken closes Series A, John Deere & SpaceX team up, MaxAB merges with Wasoko | Latin America agrifintech startup Agrotoken made news this week with a Series A that included participation from Bunge Ventures. A number of new collaborations also emerged, including a strategic partnership between John Deere and SpaceX, a... |
20.10.2022 | The Week in Agrifoodtech: new investments in alternative fat, Kroger buying Albertsons, Beyond Meat cuts 200 jobs | This week saw two new investments in startups making alternative fat products: Australia’s Nourish Ingredients and UK-based Hoxton Farms. Kroger announced plans to buy fellow grocery giant Albertsons and precision spraying startup Smart Ass... |
28.09.2021 | Vytelle raises $13m Series A funding to help farmers pick the cream of the cattle crop | Precision livestock platform Vytelle has closed $13.2 million in Series A funding for its technology that lets livestock producers speed up genetic advancement in cattle. Co-leading the round were private equity firm Open Prairie, through i... |
18.07.2018 | HerdDogg Raises $2.3m Seed Round for Livestock IoT | HerdDogg, a US startup developing an IoT product for livestock farmers, has raised $2.3 million in seed funding. Midwest-focused venture capital firm Serra Ventures led the round with participation from Innova Ventures and iSelect Fund. Her... |
16.07.2018 | Nutrien Acquires Agrible for $63m to “Create Ag Retailer of the Future” | Nutrien, the world’s largest fertilizer and ag retail business, has acquired Agrible, a digital agtech startup from Champaign, Illinois, for $63 million. Agrible, a startup offering a suite of decision support software tools for farmers as ... |
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