Agriventures member spotlight: Smart Farm Robotix and the vision for the future of autonomous farming

How can artificial intelligence and robotics help farmers overcome one of agriculture’s most persistent challenges?

In a recent interview with the Center for Data Innovation, Rossen Kolev discussed how Bulgarian agri-tech startup Smart Farm Robotix is developing autonomous robotic solutions designed to transform weed management for small and medium-sized farms.

Tackling a major challenge in Agriculture

Weed control remains one of the most labour-intensive and costly activities in agriculture, particularly for organic producers who cannot rely on conventional herbicides. According to Kolev, many existing robotic solutions are either too expensive or designed for the large, flat fields common in Northern Europe, making them less suitable for the diverse terrain found across Southern and Eastern Europe.

To address this gap, Smart Farm Robotix has developed an autonomous field robot that combines computer vision, artificial intelligence, and robotics to identify and remove weeds with high precision while operating in real farming conditions.

AI and Robotics supporting sustainable farming

The company’s approach focuses on reducing manual labour requirements while supporting more sustainable agricultural practices. By using AI-powered identification systems and autonomous navigation, the robot can distinguish weeds from crops and perform targeted interventions without relying on chemical herbicides.

This technology has particular relevance for organic farming, aromatic and medicinal crops, and other production systems where weed management remains a significant operational challenge.

A Growing Bulgarian Innovation Success Story

Founded in Bulgaria, Smart Farm Robotix has become one of the region’s most promising agri-tech ventures, demonstrating how advanced technologies developed in Central and Eastern Europe can address global agricultural challenges. The company is focused on creating accessible and scalable robotic solutions that can support farmers facing labour shortages, rising costs, and increasing sustainability requirements.

The interview highlights a broader trend across agriculture: the convergence of artificial intelligence, automation, and precision farming technologies that are helping producers improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact.

Read the full Interview

The complete interview with Rossen Kolev is available through the Center for Data Innovation.

The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation

As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation.

Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization.

By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.

Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.