Stenon, a Potsdam, Germany-based provider of real-time soil data infrastructure, has raised €18 million in Series B funding led by Pymwymic and DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF). The company’s FarmLab handheld device captures over 4,500 data points in seconds to measure plant-available nitrogen and other soil parameters, paired with AI analytics and cloud software for instant fertilizer recommendations. The capital will scale operations across Brazil and advance a next-generation machine-integrated platform slated for later 2026.
Fertilizer Crisis Accelerates Adoption
The timing aligns with sharp fertilizer price spikes. EU nitrogen prices sit roughly 70% above 2024 averages amid Middle East conflict, prompting the European Commission to mobilize a €540 million relief package. Brazil, where 99% of nitrogen is imported, faces similar pressure. Stenon’s approach focuses on real-time field measurements that let farmers adjust nitrogen application immediately instead of waiting weeks for lab results.
Lab Delays Drive Input Waste
Traditional soil testing requires sending samples to labs and waiting days or weeks for results. During that window, weather and crop conditions can shift, rendering recommendations obsolete. Stenon claims its device delivers actionable data in under 20 seconds, enabling 20-40% reductions in nitrogen use and 2-8% yield gains across crops including corn, sugarcane, and cotton, according to multiple case studies on its site.
Handheld Probe Targets Nitrogen Directly
Stenon differentiates through a portable electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and optical sensor combination that measures plant-available nitrogen in the field. Competitors such as CropX focus on fixed in-ground moisture sensors and broader platforms, while xFarm Technologies emphasizes software connectivity to third-party hardware. ChrysaLabs targets soil carbon for MRV credits rather than fertilizer optimization. Stenon positions its solution as foundational soil data infrastructure rather than a full farm OS.
"Farmers may not be able to control global price volatility, but they can control when and where each kilogram is applied." — Niels Grabbert, CEO
Impact and Deep Tech Investors Align
Pymwymic led the round with participation from DTCF, joining existing backers including Founders Fund, TIME Ventures (Marc Benioff), and Atlantic Labs. The mix signals conviction in both climate impact and scalable deep tech hardware. Existing investor David Friedberg of The Production Board noted the technology unlocks high-resolution understanding of soil fertility to optimize farmers’ largest input cost.
Precision Farming Market Expands
The precision farming market stands at $16.8 billion in 2026 and is projected to grow at 12.7% CAGR through 2033, per Grand View Research. Sub-segments such as the soil sensor market are valued at $418.87 million in 2026. Stenon has analyzed several million acres globally and doubled local revenue in Brazil between 2023 and 2025 through partnerships with input retailers and John Deere dealers.
Brazil Expansion and Machine Integration Ahead
Stenon plans to expand its Brazil team, accelerate product development, and broaden applications following the round. The company is transitioning from its current handheld FarmLab to a machine-integrated real-time nutrient intelligence system expected later in 2026.