The VINE is UC ANR Innovate's applied innovation pipeline, connecting startups, researchers, growers, and industry to move agricultural technology from concept to field-ready solution. Through structured commercialization support, we help promising technologies progress from research to market-ready products that solve real problems for California farmers. Run in partnership with Farmhand Ventures.
How it works
We advance agricultural innovations through structured commercialization support, helping promising technologies move from research concepts to market-ready solutions.
1
Apply
We vet companies to assess the commercial readiness of their technology and ensure it solves real problems for California farmers.
2
Embark
Companies enter at their stage and advance through increasing levels of commercial readiness with structured support and clear milestones.
3
Validate
We connect advancing companies with California growers through field demonstrations for real-world validation and relationship building.
4
Scale
Companies graduate with established market connections, validated products, and momentum for sustainable growth in California agriculture.
Programs
Stage-appropriate support guided by our Commercial Readiness Framework. Download the CRL whitepaper.
Pre-Seed to Seed
VINE Build
Supports early-stage technologies seeking product-market fit. Selected projects receive fractional executive resources, grants, and pilot project validation to guide them from prototype to product. Hosts commercialization workshops on California campuses to connect with groundbreaking research where it's happening.
Seed to Series A
VINE Connect
Designed for companies with established product-market fit seeking to scale in California agriculture. Participants gain guided courses on pitching to farmers, field trial eligibility, and culminating Field Day events showcasing innovations to growers, researchers, and industry experts.
ROOT
Not sure which program fits? We stay in constant communication with California growers about their most pressing challenges via our Industry Advisory Board. Just apply to whatever makes the most sense and we'll determine the best program fit for you.
Who we serve
For growers
No more cold calls. We work with you to understand your most pressing challenges so we can find innovators with the most promising solutions.
Our Industry Advisory Board of California growers vets every startup before we connect them to our grower network.
Field demonstrations structured around your schedule so you can test promising technologies without disrupting your workflow.
For investors
Hand-picked deal flow, pre-vetted and de-risked. Our programs are run by agtech industry vets and reviewed by seasoned California growers.
Our seal of approval indicates a company has been approved by farmers and is advancing in commercial readiness.
For startups
If we invite you to work with us, it means your solution is solving a problem prioritized by California farmers.
Practical support tailored to where you are in your commercialization journey, whether you have a scrappy prototype or paying customers.
Industry Advisory Board
Every startup we work with is vetted by our Industry Advisory Board — experienced growers and industry leaders representing 23 commodities across 16 counties. They keep us grounded in the realities of California farming and ensure only practical, field-ready solutions advance through our programs.
Ag Council of California
Ag Council
California Farmworker Foundation
CFF
Western Growers Association
WGA
Western Tree Nut Association
San Pasqual Valley Soils
Bowles Farming Company
Muller Ranch
Arnold Farms
Huntington Farms
Moonlight Packing
Staunton Farms LP
Hermosa Tierra Inc.
Red Hills Farming Company
Impact
595
Field day attendees
25
Startups engaged
23
Commodities represented
16
Counties covered
9
CA regions connected
5
VINE Connect field days
Portfolio companies
We work with startups building solutions across agricultural automation, data analytics, biological systems, and more.
Verdant Robotics
Verdi Ag
Spornado
HotSpot
AgBee
Bonsai Robotics
Get in touch
Whether you're a startup, grower, investor, or researcher—we want to hear from you.
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