San Luis Obispo, CA - TRIC Robotics has been awarded the 2024 Cal Poly CIE Small Business Development Center (SBDC) “Business of the Year” Award for their significant business and technology achievements. 

Founded by CEO Adam Stager in 2017 and joining the SBDC in 2021, TRIC Robotics has revolutionized agriculture practices through technology, automation and ultraviolet light to create an efficient alternative to pesticide use. Along with fellow co-founders, Field Operations Manager Vishnu Somasundaram and Technical Manager Ryan Berard, TRIC Robotics has altered the management of crops on strawberry fields, especially on the Central Coast. Their large-scale robots have a 40-foot wingspan, operate at night to treat strawberry fields for pests and fungus and use powerful UV light technology and bug vacuums. The robots can mimic average tractors in their navigation methods and terrain awareness, and in addition, provide better precision and can capture key field data with its software technology. A number of significant Central California strawberry farmers, where the majority of all US-grown strawberries are cultivated, are eager to deploy environmentally sustainable, chemical-free solutions to crop pests and are actively partnering with TRIC Robotics and seeing incredible results.

"The SBDC provided us with the supportive environment that we needed to make our vision for TRIC Robotics a reality. Not only did they introduce us to expert mentors who guided us through various stages of funding, but they also connected us with an incredible community of entrepreneurs who have become our friends,” CEO Stager says. “With the help of the SBDC, we secured grant funding, built compelling pitch decks, and expanded our team from 3 to over 15. We're honored to be recognized as the Business of the Year in 2024, and hope we can help others recognize that they can pursue their passions with support of the SBDC." 

“TRIC Robotics recently completed our 2-year Startup Incubator program working closely with our SBDC Consultant team,” Cal Poly CIE SBDC Director Judy Mahan shares. “This mission-driven company is thriving on the Central Coast; they have grown their team from 2 co-founders to 15 employees, expanded into new office and warehouse space, refined their technology and steadily increased sales each quarter. They are on a growth trajectory that we are very proud to celebrate with them today.” 

About the Cal Poly CIE Small Business Development Center

The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a subcontract between Cal Poly CIE, the city of San Luis Obispo and UC Merced, under the current cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC is a top resource for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, offering no-cost, expert one-on-one business consulting, equity funding, sales and marketing.

For more information, visit sbdc.calpoly.edu.