John Deere Announces its 2026 Startup Collaborators

Rhea-AI Summary

John Deere (NYSE: DE) named five startups for its 2026 Startup Collaborator Program, its eighth cohort focused on advanced sensing, analytics, and automation.

The cohort includes AIRS ML, IoTag, resonAg, TorqueAGI, and Aerobotics, which offer technologies for edge AI, telematics, soil sensing, robotics foundation models, and drone-based crop intelligence.

Key Figures

Startup collaborators: 5 companies Program launch year: 2019 Current price: $612.69 +5 more

8 metrics

Startup collaborators 5 companies 2026 Startup Collaborator cohort

Program launch year 2019 Startup Collaborator Program inception

Current price $612.69 Pre-news market context

Price change 24h 3.25% Move ahead of this announcement

52-week high $614.34 Upper end of 52-week range

52-week low $404.42 Lower end of 52-week range

200-day MA $492.53 Long-term trend level

Market cap $160,858,294,122 Equity value prior to news

Market Reality Check

Price: $598.11 Vol: Volume 1,788,128 vs 20-da...

normal vol

$598.11 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,788,128 vs 20-day average 1,516,948 (relative volume 1.18). normal

Technical Price at 612.69 trades above 200-day MA 492.53 and near 52-week high 614.34.

Peers on Argus

DE is up 3.25% with key machinery peers also higher: CAT +2.15%, PCAR +2.17%, CN...

DE is up 3.25% with key machinery peers also higher: CAT +2.15%, PCAR +2.17%, CNH +3.06%, AGCO +1.15%, TEX +8.31%, indicating a broader positive move in farm/heavy machinery.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 04 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 04	Earnings date notice	Neutral	+4.1%	Set timing for Q1 2026 earnings release and conference call.
Jan 27	Capacity expansion	Positive	+1.1%	Announced two new U.S. facilities and future excavator production shift.
Dec 04	Board appointment	Positive	+0.3%	Added Cargill CEO to board, expanding independent director group.
Dec 03	Dividend declaration	Positive	+2.7%	Confirmed quarterly dividend of <b>$1.62</b> per share and key dates.
Dec 01	Investor Day announcement	Neutral	+0.8%	Scheduled Investor Day to present strategy and growth opportunities.

Pattern Detected

Recent company news items, including expansion, governance and dividends, have generally seen modest positive price reactions, suggesting investors have responded constructively to operational and strategic updates.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Deere has released a series of corporate updates, including an Investor Day, a $1.62 quarterly dividend declaration, a new Cargill CEO joining the board, and a major U.S. expansion with a $70M excavator factory and new parts center. An earnings date announcement on Feb 19, 2026 also drew a positive reaction. Against this backdrop, the 2026 Startup Collaborator announcement fits Deere’s ongoing focus on technology, precision and growth initiatives.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement underscores Deere’s strategy of partnering with startups in edge AI, telematics, r...

Analysis

This announcement underscores Deere’s strategy of partnering with startups in edge AI, telematics, robotics and digital crop intelligence to advance precision, productivity and sustainability. Coming after recent expansion plans, governance updates and capital return actions, it reinforces the emphasis on technology within Deere’s broader Smart Industrial approach. Investors may watch how many of these collaborators transition into scaled solutions, how they support agriculture and construction segments, and how future updates quantify operational or financial impact from these partnerships.

Key Terms

edge ai, telematics, computer vision, ai-driven robotics

4 terms

edge ai technical

"AIRS ML – An edge AI company building on-device intelligence..."

Edge AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that process data directly on local devices or nearby servers rather than sending information to distant data centers. This allows for faster decision-making and real-time responses, similar to how a home security camera can instantly detect motion without needing to connect to a remote server. For investors, edge AI represents a growing trend toward more efficient, responsive technology that can create new opportunities across various industries.

telematics technical

"IoTag – Delivers a patented telematics solution that turns raw machine operating data..."

Telematics is the technology that collects, transmits and analyzes data from vehicles or remote equipment—such as location, speed, engine status and sensor readings—using GPS, cellular networks and onboard computers. For investors it matters because telematics turns physical assets into data-rich services, enabling new revenue streams (like usage-based insurance, fleet optimization, or predictive maintenance), reducing costs and improving risk visibility much like a fitness tracker does for health.

computer vision technical

"using drone and mobile imagery combined with industry-leading computer vision and AI."

Computer vision is technology that gives machines the ability to 'see' and make sense of images or video, turning pixels into usable information like object counts, measurements, or activity patterns. For investors, it matters because it enables automation, cost reduction and new product features across industries—from quality checks on factory lines to retail analytics—so companies that adopt effective computer vision can boost efficiency, reduce labor needs and create competitive advantages.

ai-driven robotics technical

"From real-time equipment and fleet insights to advanced sensing, AI-driven robotics..."

AI-driven robotics are machines that combine physical robots with artificial intelligence so they can sense, learn and make decisions without constant human control—think of a robot with a smart brain that adapts like a self-updating tool. Investors care because these systems can cut labor costs, boost output and create new product or service markets, but they also carry risks around adoption, regulation and rapid technological change that affect profits and valuation.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

New cohort to explore advanced sensing, analytics, and automation

MOLINE, Ill., Feb. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) announced the names of five companies chosen for its 2026 Startup Collaborator Program. The John Deere Startup Collaborator Program was launched in 2019 to enhance and deepen the company's interaction with startup companies whose technology could add value for ag, construction, and roadbuilding customers.

"Through the Startup Collaborator Program, we're working with startups whose technologies address critical challenges across the various industries we serve," said Wes Robinson, Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy. "From real‑time equipment and fleet insights to advanced sensing, AI‑driven robotics, and digital crop intelligence, these collaborations can help us move faster in delivering practical innovations that improve precision, productivity, and sustainability for our customers."

The companies participating in the 2026 Startup Collaborator include:

• AIRS ML – An edge AI company building on-device intelligence that fuses sensing and machine learning for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance of critical industrial and mobility assets.
  
  
• IoTag – Delivers a patented telematics solution that turns raw machine operating data into insights to optimize performance across mixed fleets for agricultural and construction customers.
  
  
• resonAg – An Australian agritech company specializing in adapting proven technologies from the medical, mining and oil and gas sectors to deliver advanced soil sensing systems for precision agriculture.
  
  
• TorqueAGI – Creating the AI foundation model that powers a new generation of enterprise robots capable of real-world reasoning and autonomy.
  
  
• Aerobotics – Helps the fruit industry make smarter, more sustainable farming decisions using drone and mobile imagery combined with industry-leading computer vision and AI. Their precision insights enable growers, packers, and shippers to accurately estimate yields and optimize operations.

"The startups in our eighth Collaborator cohort bring complementary technologies that span monitoring, sensing, AI, robotics, and data‑driven insights," said Colton Salyards, Principal, Corporate Development, John Deere. "Through close collaboration, we're able to explore how these innovations can translate into practical benefits for customers in agriculture and construction."

ABOUT JOHN DEERE
It doesn't matter if you've never driven a tractor, mowed a lawn, or operated a dozer. With John Deere's role in helping produce food, fiber, fuel, and infrastructure, we work for every single person on the planet. It all started nearly 200 years ago with a steel plow. Today, John Deere drives innovation in agriculture, construction, forestry, turf, power systems, and more.

For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at www.deere.com/en/news/.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-deere-announces-its-2026-startup-collaborators-302686474.html

SOURCE John Deere Company

FAQ

What companies joined John Deere's 2026 Startup Collaborator Program (DE)?

John Deere selected five startups for the 2026 cohort to explore sensing, AI, and automation. According to the company, the cohort includes AIRS ML, IoTag, resonAg, TorqueAGI, and Aerobotics, each bringing complementary sensing and analytics capabilities.

What technologies will the 2026 DE Startup Collaborator cohort focus on?

The cohort will focus on advanced sensing, analytics, AI, and robotics for ag and construction customers. According to the company, collaborations target real-time equipment insights, predictive maintenance, soil sensing, enterprise robotics models, and drone-based crop intelligence.

How might John Deere's 2026 collaborators affect product development at DE?

The collaborations aim to accelerate practical innovation in precision and productivity for customers. According to the company, joint work explores on-device AI, telematics insights, soil sensing applications, robotics autonomy, and aerial imaging analytics for faster integration.

Is the John Deere 2026 Startup Collaborator Program new or ongoing?

The program is ongoing; 2026 is the eighth cohort since its 2019 launch. According to the company, the initiative was created to deepen engagement with startups whose technology can add value for ag, construction, and roadbuilding customers.

Which startup in the 2026 DE cohort provides soil sensing solutions?

resonAg provides advanced soil sensing systems adapted from medical and mining technologies. According to the company, resonAg specializes in precision agriculture soil sensing for improved field-level decision-making.