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Electric Plant raises $11.2 million seed round to launch Bombadil plant‑signal model

Electric Plant, founded by Justin Mast and neuroscientist Lee von Kraus, announced an $11.2 million seed round led by Onto Ventures and Climactic, with participation from Ponderosa, Endeavor Catalyst, Ludlow, Michigan Rise, The Fund, Schox VC and Dug Song. The funding will support the rollout of the company’s Bombadil model, a large‑language‑style system trained on electrical signals recorded…

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Key points

  • Electric Plant closed an $11.2 million seed round led by Onto Ventures and Climactic.
  • Bombadil model interprets electrical signals from roughly 125 plant species using low‑cost sensors.
  • The startup claims the system can cut water use by 20%+ and increase crop yields.

Bombadil can interpret micro‑volt changes in about 125 species, from ferns and redwoods to tomatoes and dahlias. Sensors the size of a folded iPhone are screwed into the cambium and transmit data via a low‑power wireless network to a cloud service where Bombadil generates actionable insights, such as watering or fertilizer adjustments. Mast says the sensors cost only “tens of dollars” versus existing tools that run into the thousands, and the system can reduce water use by 20% or more while boosting yields. Initial customers have not been disclosed, but the startup envisions use in agriculture and forestry.

Full story from TechCrunch AI · by Tim De ChantOpen source ↗

Plants can speak using electricity, so this startup built an AI model to decipher their language

TechCrunch AI · 20 October 2026

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This text was published by TechCrunch AI and written by Tim De Chant. It is reproduced here with attribution so you can read it in full; the rights remain with the publisher. Read it at the source ↗

Topics · follow one to build your own front page
Electric PlantOnto VenturesClimacticPonderosaEndeavor CatalystMichigan RiseBombadilJustin MastLee von Kraus

The headline, key points and digest above were generated by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources. Automated summaries can contain errors: the sources are the record. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Published by Martin K., who runs Digest AI and handles corrections.

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