Smart Apply (Acquired by John Deere)

Based in Indiana, Smart Apply offers an intelligent spray control system called “Intelligent Sprayer” for air-blast sprayers that uses light detection and ranging technology to detect and spray trees with precision. The company’s solution is based on a decade of R&D and testing at the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. 

The company claims that its system can reduce pesticide and chemical usage by up to 50% and pesticide drift by 87%. The company claims that its technology has the highest accuracy, where its system sprays only on the area of the canopy and varies the volume based on density. Intelligent Sprayer also has only a single lens that requires less maintenance and provides precise coverage when compared to multi-lens ultrasonic sprayers. Intelligent Sprayer can also be controlled remotely using any Android-powered smartphone that has global positioning system services.

The company sells its solution via an international dealer network across countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, and South Africa. In July 2022, the company announced the addition of two new dealers, “Papé Machinery,” a leading supplier of heavy equipment in Western US, and RDO Equipment, an Australia-based dealer partner for John Deere equipment, to its dealer network. In October 2022, the company raised USD 1.8 million in seed funding led by Serra Ventures to expand its sales team and increase marketing efforts and manufacturing capacity.

In July 2023, The company was acquired by John Deere, a leading provider of farming equipment, for an undisclosed amount. Following the acquisition, John Deere expects to expand Smart Apply’s availability to most of its dealer network in North America and Australia, with plans to explore new markets.