Earlier this month, I had the chance to travel down to Memphis, Tennessee, representing Cloud and Field as one of only 20 finalists selected from around the world for the AgLaunch365 accelerator program, one of the top farm-focused accelerators in the country.
Over two fast-paced days, I joined teams from all over – from California and West Virginia to the UK and Senegal – to pitch our ideas, share our technology, and dive into deep conversations with farmers, investors, and ag-industry experts. It wasn’t your typical startup pitch event. These were real farmers asking real questions about how our system fits into their day-to-day work, how it saves time, what happens when something breaks, and how it could adapt to different crops or climates. It was challenging, energizing, and honestly one of the most grounded experiences I’ve had as a founder.
That’s what made AgLaunch365 so different. Farmers aren’t an afterthought, they’re front and center, and even some of the investors. They help evaluate the technology, give feedback, and even suggest new use cases. During the sessions, several farmers immediately saw how our retrofit system, which turns existing tractors into AI-enabled, autonomous machines, could fit right into their operations. A few even suggested entirely new markets for us to explore. It was great validation of what we’re building- technology designed to work with farmers, not replace them.
If we’re selected for the next phase, Cloud and Field will join a small group of 3–8 companies in the 2025 AgLaunch365 cohort. That means on-farm trials in 11 states, working alongside growers with different crops, climates, and equipment setups, all helping us refine and strengthen our product. For us, being a finalist isn’t just a milestone. It’s proof that our mission of making autonomy affordable, practical, and farmer-driven, resonates with the people who know the land best.
We’re excited about what’s ahead and thankful to the entire AgLaunch team for creating a program that keeps innovation rooted in real soil.