Deere looks to collaborate with startups
Deere and Company, the manufacturer synonymous with agriculture and tractors who has steadily been growing its market share in the construction equipment segment, is looking to widen its reach even further.
The Moline, Ill.-based company has launched a Startup Collaborator program. The move is designed to enhance Deere and its John Deere brand’s interaction with startup companies providing technology that can add value to its customers.
"Our focus for the Startup Collaborator is specifically on startups that want to work with John Deere in real-world customer environments to determine the technology readiness of their innovations," said John Stone, senior vice president of Deere's Intelligent Solutions Group.
Stone said the Startup Collaborator provides flexibility for Deere and startup companies to test innovative technologies with customers and dealers without a more formal business relationship. Startups also gain affiliation with and mentoring from a world leader in precision agriculture.
"Innovation has been at the heart of John Deere for more than 180 years," Stone added. "The Startup Collaborator welcomes innovative companies into a program that could help us drive improved results for our customers."
There are already 3 startups within the program including Bear Flag Robotics, a California company developing autonomous technology for farm tractors and implements to reduce operational expense and increase worker safety.
Hello Tractor, a Nigerian company with a focus on in Sub- Saharan Africa that has developed an application to manage tractor fleets for small holder farmers, and Taranis, an Israeli company that has developed an automated field scouting service based on sub-millimeter aerial imagery, are also early collaborators.
The Moline, Ill.-based company has launched a Startup Collaborator program. The move is designed to enhance Deere and its John Deere brand’s interaction with startup companies providing technology that can add value to its customers.
"Our focus for the Startup Collaborator is specifically on startups that want to work with John Deere in real-world customer environments to determine the technology readiness of their innovations," said John Stone, senior vice president of Deere's Intelligent Solutions Group.
Stone said the Startup Collaborator provides flexibility for Deere and startup companies to test innovative technologies with customers and dealers without a more formal business relationship. Startups also gain affiliation with and mentoring from a world leader in precision agriculture.
"Innovation has been at the heart of John Deere for more than 180 years," Stone added. "The Startup Collaborator welcomes innovative companies into a program that could help us drive improved results for our customers."
There are already 3 startups within the program including Bear Flag Robotics, a California company developing autonomous technology for farm tractors and implements to reduce operational expense and increase worker safety.
Hello Tractor, a Nigerian company with a focus on in Sub- Saharan Africa that has developed an application to manage tractor fleets for small holder farmers, and Taranis, an Israeli company that has developed an automated field scouting service based on sub-millimeter aerial imagery, are also early collaborators.