Scythe: Revolutionizing Commercial Landscaping with Robotic Mowers
From Stealth to Series B: Scythe’s Journey to Disrupting the Landscape Industry
In 2021, Scythe emerged from stealth mode with a significant $13.8 million Series A funding round. The company has been making waves in the world of robotic mowers by targeting commercial landscapers instead of focusing on home applications like many other companies. Our conversation with co-founder and CEO Jack Morrison sheds light on the unique challenges that Scythe’s M.52 mower is designed to tackle.
Tackling Commercial Landscaping Challenges
The M.52 mower is purpose-built for large-scale commercial properties such as corporate campuses, parks, sports fields, and HOA complexes. These areas often have steep slopes and tough terrain, requiring a robust and reliable mowing solution. According to Morrison, "Our customers use M.52 to autonomously mow these complex sites, which can be challenging due to their size and varied topography."
In addition to the physical demands of mowing, Scythe’s mower also needs to withstand the rigors of daily commercial landscape operations. These include loading and unloading from trailers, moving through tightly packed depots, and navigating curbs in parking lots. Morrison emphasizes that durability is crucial for M.52, which must be able to handle these tasks without breaking down.
Series B Funding and Future Plans
This morning, Scythe announced a $42 million Series B funding round, bringing its total funding to over $60 million. The round was led by Energy Impact Partners and featured new investors like ArcTern Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and the Alexa Fund. While some may speculate about Amazon’s involvement and potential integration with voice controls into M.52, Morrison assures that "we don’t have anything to share regarding future plans for integrating voice controls into M.52."
Delivering M.52 and Scaling Operations
Scythe began delivering its mower to customers in Texas late last year and is now expanding to Florida as well. The new funding will help fulfill the company’s 7,500 existing reservations. In addition to fulfilling orders, Scythe plans to use this round of funding for hiring. With a current team size just over 50 people, Morrison expects to more than double the team in the coming years.
The company is currently seeking candidates across various engineering disciplines, including computer vision, robotics, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Additionally, Scythe will be expanding its manufacturing and customer teams as it prepares for increased production and deployment of M.52.
Growing Team and Scaling Operations
Scythe’s plan to hire dozens more employees over the next 12 months demonstrates the company’s commitment to growth and expansion. With a strong team in place, Morrison is confident that Scythe can continue to innovate and improve its robotic mowers.
"We’re excited about the opportunities ahead," he says. "As we grow our team and scale our operations, we’ll be able to reach even more customers and provide them with the high-quality, efficient solutions they need for their commercial landscaping needs."
Investors and Climate Crisis
Despite a challenging fundraising climate, Scythe was still able to secure funding from investors who share its commitment to addressing the intensifying climate crisis. According to Morrison, "committed climate VCs are well-funded and actively looking for investment opportunities that urgently address the climate crisis we face."
With this Series B round and its growing team, Scythe is poised to make a significant impact on the commercial landscaping industry.
Scythe’s Impact on the Commercial Landscape Industry
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, innovative companies like Scythe are working towards more sustainable solutions. By developing robotic mowers that can efficiently and effectively tackle large-scale commercial properties, Scythe is helping to reduce carbon emissions and minimize environmental impact.
In an industry where traditional methods may be inefficient or even damaging to the environment, Scythe’s M.52 mower represents a significant step forward. With its advanced technology and commitment to sustainability, Scythe is poised to revolutionize the way we approach commercial landscaping.
Conclusion
Scythe’s emergence from stealth mode and subsequent Series B funding round demonstrate the company’s dedication to disrupting the commercial landscape industry with its innovative robotic mowers. As the world continues to demand more sustainable solutions, companies like Scythe will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our planet.
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