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Tunisia-based AgTech RoboCare has secured a six-figure investment from venture capital firm 216 Capital to support its next growth phase and expand across Africa and the Middle East. The funding will be channelled into new market entry, commercial team expansion, and the continued development of the startup’s artificial intelligence models.
Founded in 2020 by Dr. Imen Hbiri, RoboCare provides digital monitoring systems that prevent late-stage plant disease detection, slow disease spread, and reduce pesticide use. The platform draws on hyperspectral imaging, a technology capable of capturing invisible reflected signals beyond the near-infrared spectrum, to generate unique plant signatures that differentiate between healthy and stressed crops, enabling early alerts before infections become uncontrollable.
This data is layered with satellite imagery, drone data, IoT sensors, and weather data to give farmers a comprehensive, real-time picture of their land.
Through dedicated product lines such as Olive Care, Wheat Care, Citrus Care, and Potato Care, RoboCare offers services designed to address the specific agronomic needs of crops that are strategically important to the North African and Middle Eastern farming landscape.
RoboCare’s biggest strength is how it builds its AI models. The startup builds its AI models from local data to address the specific soil and climate conditions found in North Africa and the Middle East, delivering agronomic recommendations precisely tailored to the needs of regional farmers and agribusiness players.
The company follows a four-step operational process: collecting data from drones, aircraft, and satellites; applying AI-powered crop and region-specific analysis; producing detailed maps that identify agronomic issues such as nutrient deficiencies, disease infections, and pest infestations; and delivering personalised management recommendations to farmers.
According to 216 Capital, the platform has delivered significant field impact of up to 35% water savings, up to a 25% reduction in agricultural inputs, and up to a 20% increase in crop yields. The company also reports productivity improvements of up to 30% in crop quality and quantity, and cost savings of up to 20% on water, fertilizers, pesticides, and energy. RoboCare already monitors several thousand hectares under intelligent surveillance and has generated thousands of agronomic alerts, enabling operators to respond faster and more effectively.
Before the six-figure investment from 216 Capital, the startup participated in programmes supported by the European Bank and the IFC (International Finance Corporation). The startup plans to deploy the capital across three priority areas: expanding commercially into new markets in Africa and the Middle East, strengthening its sales teams to accelerate adoption among major agribusiness players, and continuously improving its AI models to handle new and diverse agricultural environments.
“For 216 Capital, this investment fully aligns with its strategy of supporting high-potential tech startups capable of delivering concrete answers to the continent’s major economic, social, and environmental challenges,” said Hassen Arfaoui, Principal at 216 Capital.
As agriculture represents a key sector for food security and economic growth across many African and MENA countries, RoboCare aims to become one of the leading players in agricultural digital transformation at the regional scale.
