Why we invested

AV Ventures invested in Hello Tractor to help the company expand its innovative platform that connects smallholder farmers with affordable, on-demand mechanization services. In rural Kenya, limited access to farm machinery is a persistent barrier to productivity. Many smallholders still rely on manual labor for land preparation, which is both time-consuming and costly in terms of yield potential.

Hello Tractor’s solution uses IoT-enabled devices installed on tractors and a mobile application to link tractor owners with farmers in need of mechanization services. This system increases the utilization of existing tractor assets while reducing per-acre cultivation costs for farmers. It also creates business opportunities for local agents who manage bookings and for mechanics who provide maintenance. The investment fits well within the Impact for Kenya Fund’s strategy to support technology-driven solutions that improve agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. Hello Tractor complements other portfolio companies focused on clean energy and agri-infrastructure by addressing a key productivity bottleneck and ensuring that farmers have the tools necessary to cultivate more land efficiently and profitably.

Company Description:
Hello Tractor is a pan-African agritech company that uses a shared-economy model to connect smallholder farmers to tractor owners via GPS and mobile-based booking. Farmers can schedule affordable, timely land preparation services, increasing farm productivity and reducing labor constraints. With support from AV Ventures, Hello Tractor has expanded into underserved counties and partnered with local tractor owners and operators, helping smallholder farmers boost yields while also stimulating rural entrepreneurship in agri-mechanization.