Hippo Harvest raises $30M Series C led by Cox Farms, North America's largest greenhouse operator
What's the deal? Hippo HarvestDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a California leafy greens grower that runs robotics- and machine learning-powered greenhouses, has closed a $30 million Series C led by Cox Farms. The round drew participation from Congruent VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Hawthorne Food VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Collaborative Fund, and the Fresh Investment Club.
Why the lead investor matters: Cox Farms, owned by Cox EnterprisesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, is North America's largest greenhouse operator. Its backing hands Hippo Harvest a strategic partner deep inside the industry it aims to disrupt. "Cox Farms actively looks for opportunities to support innovation and new technologies across indoor agriculture," said Steve Bradley, president of Cox Farms.
What's the endgame? The money funds a 30-acre expansion at a new Hollister, California facility, now in permitting, plus a next-generation robotic growing system. That represents a major jump from the company's current one acre of growing capacity.
How it works: Hippo Harvest's system uses autonomous mobile robots and machine learning to monitor, tend, and harvest plants. Robotic "tractors" respace growing modules through the growth cycle to lift yields, while the upgraded design aims to cut cost per unit and speed new varieties to market.
Where it's expanding: Founded in 2019 and based in Pescadero, Hippo Harvest supplies retailers across Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, including Sprouts, Haggen, and Gus's Community Markets. It plans to expand across the West Coast, with national retail partnerships in development.
Why now? The raise coincides with the commercial launch of indoor-grown spinach, following its butter lettuce debut in early 2026. "Closing this round and bringing Spinach to market in the same moment is a real signal of where Hippo Harvest is headed," said Eitan Marder-Eppstein, chief executive officer and co-founder.
The Series C follows a $21 million Series B closed in February 2024, led by Standard InvestmentsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, with backing from Congruent Ventures, the Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, Hawthorne Food Ventures, and Energy Impact PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
The signal: A blend of greenhouse and organic field-grown greens, backed by the continent's biggest greenhouse operator, points to indoor agriculture maturing from novelty toward reliable supply in a sector increasingly exposed to climate volatility.
Read more: PR Newswire
Image credit: RaeAllen
