Frontier IP investee company Fieldwork Robotics has raised £3 million to commercialise what it describes as the world's first raspberry-harvesting robots.
The funding comprises a £2.2 million equity round led by Elbow Beach Capital with support from existing investors, alongside £1.7 million in project grants, including £775,000 in non-dilutive funding from Innovate UK.
The technology has undergone field trials in the UK and Portugal and will now move into full commercial trials, including a two-year harvesting-as-a-service programme in Norfolk with food company Place UK.
If successful, Fieldwork expects robot fleets to be operating on farms during 2027.
Soft fruit harvesting is heavily reliant on seasonal labour, and the robotics sector has identified it as an area of acute need as agricultural labour costs rise and availability tightens.
Frontier IP Group PLC (LSE:FIPP, FRA:8WT), which specialises in commercialising intellectual property from universities and research institutions, said it welcomed the funding milestone.
Chief executive Neil Crabb said the successful round, backed by Elbow Beach and existing investors, demonstrated confidence in Fieldwork's commercial strategy.
Frontier IP's shares were up 0.8% in early trading.