Dual-use deeptech: Voltrac raises €2M to reinvent the tractor for civilian and military use

European deeptech startup Voltrac has officially launched its autonomous, electric tractor platform designed for agriculture and frontline logistics. 

Founded by aerospace engineer Francisco Infante Aguirre and deeptech operator Thomas Hubregtsen, Voltrac is developing a "first principles redesign“ – an approach that no longer relies on legacy mechanical systems, reimagining the tractor as a modular, software-defined vehicle optimised for simplicity, reliability, and autonomy.

"We’re not just building a better tractor. We’re creating a new paradigm of autonomous, software-driven ground vehicles, " said Thomas Hubregtsen, CEO of Voltrac.

Infante Aguirre grew up in his family's agricultural implement business, Aguirre Agricola, active in over 25 countries, and later engineered propulsion for eVTOLs and supersonic planes. 

Thomas previously integrated AI use cases in BMW’s future fleet, built quantum AI systems at Google X, and co-founded Extropic to build thermodynamic AI systems. 

Meeting in the Berlin startup ecosystem, they shared frustration with outdated hardware and software paradigms in agriculture and defence. 

After incorporating they quickly raised €2 million euros from Foodlabs and Antler, and went from idea to rolling prototype on partner test vineyards in Spain in one year with a team of just 3 full-time employees. 

According to Christophe Maire, Managing Partner at Atlantic Labs and FoodLabs:

"We believe industry-defining solutions emerge where robotics, AI, and critical infrastructure converge. Voltrac isn’t just optimising agriculture and defence logistics.

They’re redefining what autonomous vehicles can achieve, setting a new standard for efficiency and adaptability.”

The backbone of agriculture is the tractor. This most-used tool still relies on an engine with a complex drivetrain that is expensive, prone to breaking down, and emission-heavy. Voltrac’s hardware approach eliminates this drivetrain by using distributed electric propulsion via per-wheel motors.

This cuts 70 per cent of complex tractor components, reducing maintenance complexity and operational costs by about 30 per cent annually. 

What truly sets Voltrac apart is its approach to software. In its first wave, they are automating the driving of the vehicle, and provide an open platform that allows 3rd parties to access data and actuators in a sandboxed environment to automate implements and other devices surrounding the tractor. 

An overarching learning system with a tight feedback loop automates every aspect of plant growth, enabling continuous adaptation to new crops, climates, and terrains across Europe’s diverse farms.

Significantly, Voltrac is suitable for multiple purposes — with the addition of a flatbed, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) protection and interceptor drones, it becomes capable to silently lift 4,000kgs to re-supply front lines and process AI compute for the full platoon.

The company is in discussions with NATO departments, and, together with its partner Aguirre Agricola, is running joint sales events at agricultural cooperatives. 

It is actively testing in the fields and on track for first customer deliveries in Q1 2026. To scale their manufacturing capabilities, they plan to conduct a financing round later this year.