The Reservoir, a California-based firm devoted to accelerating the way forward for agricultural know-how and specialty crop farming, introduced Reservoir Ventures (VC) — a brand new evergreen fund targeted on pre-seed startups in robotics and autonomy, precision agriculture, and AI-enabled SaaS platforms for specialty crops. Matthew Hoffman, Ph.D., previously international R&D, AgTech, and digital transformation lead at Driscoll’s, has been named Basic Accomplice to information the expansion and growth of Reservoir’s funding arm.
Constructed on the inspiration of Reservoir Farms and its on-farm incubator mannequin, Reservoir VC operates a disciplined funding framework that helps founders construct capital-efficient firms, leverage AI and current platforms for accelerated innovation, and scale validated options towards quicker, higher-quality outcomes. The fund focuses on translating deep technical progress into utilized options and market traction, advancing the way forward for climate-smart agriculture by way of know-how and operational excellence.
Matthew Hoffman
“Matt becoming a member of to steer Reservoir VC is a significant step in our strategic evolution and for the broader AgTech neighborhood,” stated Danny Bernstein, founder and CEO of Reservoir. “He’s extremely revered throughout the trade for his approachability, technical depth, pragmatism, and management. Matt’s deep understanding of the challenges and alternatives in a variety of specialty crops will speed up the startup lifecycle from concepts to impression quicker than ever earlier than.”
A sixth-generation Californian from a farming household, Hoffman is thought for his management in advancing know-how and knowledge integration at Driscoll’s, backed by greater than a decade of expertise in specialty crops and digital agriculture. He holds a doctorate from UC Davis and has authored analysis in sustainable agriculture and data administration. Hoffman’s work throughout trade teams and his deal with connecting international and native stakeholders have pushed know-how adoption all through the agricultural worth chain.
”AgTech wins within the subject. Reservoir goes past enterprise capital — we’re locally, on the farm, and we all know how agriculture works. Becoming a member of Reservoir VC as Basic Accomplice is a platform for setting a profitable course for AgTech that works for everybody, growers and traders alike,” stated Hoffman. “Reservoir will do that by constructing a supportive and energizing neighborhood round startups which have what it takes to roll up their sleeves and construct options that assist resolve the trade’s most urgent challenges.”
Regardless of specialty crops producing greater than $1 trillion in annual international worth, lower than 5 % of agtech funding has flowed into this phase — a putting mismatch given the excessive capital depth and threat at early levels. Although over 70 % of specialty-crop growers have already invested in automation or robotics, many startups—significantly these targeted on climate-smart options—nonetheless face steep challenges securing the funding required to scale. Reservoir VC is designed to shut this hole by deploying stage-gated early capital to unlock essentially the most promising pre-seed improvements within the area.
Reservoir VC writes pre-seed checks with valuations aligned to at present’s AgTech exit realities. The fund emphasizes rigorous capital effectivity—even for deep-tech ventures—and employs stage-gated funding to reward technical milestones and business validation. Reservoir’s method aligns incentives early, with step-ups by way of secondaries serving as the first path to investor liquidity. Preliminary startup investments embrace Farm-ng (acquired by Bonsai Robotics), TerraBlaster (led by Jorge Heraud, founding father of Blue River Applied sciences), Agriful Software program (led by a Stanford workforce with ties to the Central Valley), and Nexstera Tech (led by Cal Poly alums).
Welcoming New Startups, Companions & Traders
This strategic enlargement of Reservoir VC builds on Reservoir’s public–personal partnerships and up to date state funding commitments, underscoring its rising momentum and trade affect throughout California and past. Based in 2024, Reservoir’s mission is to bridge the essential divide between promising prototypes and full-scale farm deployment. On the coronary heart of this mission is Reservoir Farms — the group’s nonprofit, on-farm incubator. Embedded in lively manufacturing methods, it offers rising robotics, automation, and digital AgTech groups a uncommon alternative to check, refine, and scale their applied sciences below actual farming situations.
As Reservoir Farms deepens its impression, Reservoir VC is actively inviting like-minded startups, strategic companions, and traders who share its dedication to advancing agricultural know-how, sustainability, and grower success. Whether or not you’re a grower, AgTech platform, meals firm, or impression investor, we welcome you to affix us on this collaborative mannequin — serving to scale specialty crop manufacturing from California’s Salinas Valley to fields worldwide.
