Seederal Technologies

About Seederal Technologies

Seederal Technologies, a French industrial startup founded in 2020 by engineers Antoine Venet (CEO) and Arthur Rivoal (CTO/CVO), is focused on the decarbonization of the agricultural machinery sector. The company is developing a fully electric tractor designed to address the core of the European agricultural market: medium-power vehicles. Seederal's strategic decision to concentrate on the 100 to 200 horsepower segment targets a market that accounts for over half of all tractors sold in Europe, representing more than €9 billion in annual sales.

The company's key innovation is a proprietary design that integrates the battery into the tractor's chassis, an approach similar to that of Tesla. This architecture optimizes energy density and allows the tractor to be lighter than its diesel counterparts. A significant engineering feat is the elimination of the traditional gearbox, made possible by the performance of the electric motors and a specially designed transmission architecture. Seederal’s tractor delivers 160 horsepower and is engineered for 8 to 12 hours of working autonomy on a single charge, with a full recharge time of approximately two hours using a fast charger. This performance aims to provide farmers with a machine capable of a full day's work without interruption.

Seederal has progressed through significant milestones, including an initial funding round in 2022 that facilitated the creation of its first prototype. This prototype, unveiled in February 2024, initiated a crucial field-testing campaign to validate its technology. In April 2024, the company secured €11 million in a new funding round, combining €7.1 million from investors led by Supernova Invest and a €3.7 million grant from the France 2030 program. This capital is intended to accelerate R&D, expand the team at its locations in Brest and Rennes, and move towards industrialization. Seederal plans to unveil the final product design in 2025 and launch the tractor in 2026.

The business model centers on the sale of these electric tractors. While the initial purchase price is expected to be higher than that of a diesel equivalent, the company projects a lower total cost of ownership over a seven-year period due to significantly reduced energy and maintenance costs. By offering a viable alternative to diesel, Seederal aims to reduce the carbon footprint of each tractor by 15 to 20 tons annually. The company also collaborates with technology partners like BrightLoop for key components such as HV-LV power converters.