Monday, 22 September 2025
Norwegian agritech start-up Nofence has raised €30 million in Series B funding to scale its innovative virtual fencing system for livestock across Europe and North America. The funding round, which closed in July, was announced on 16 September and will be used to support farmers, accelerate product development, and grow the company’s operations in international […]
Norwegian agritech start-up Nofence has raised €30 million in Series B funding to scale its innovative virtual fencing system for livestock across Europe and North America. The funding round, which closed in July, was announced on 16 September and will be used to support farmers, accelerate product development, and grow the company’s operations in international markets.
Founded in 2011 by goat farmer Oscar Hovde, Nofence has developed a GPS-enabled, solar-powered virtual fencing system for animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The system uses collars connected via the cellular network and is managed through a mobile app that allows farmers to create and adjust grazing areas remotely.
When an animal approaches a virtual boundary, its collar emits a series of sounds with increasing pitch to encourage it to turn away. If the animal continues beyond the set boundary, it receives a mild electric pulse, which the company says is designed to be half as intense as a traditional electric fence. According to Nofence, over time, most interactions are resolved with sound alone, leading to calmer and more predictable grazing behaviour.
Livestock farming plays a critical role in global food production but also presents environmental challenges, including soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. Overgrazing can lead to soil erosion, reduced plant diversity, and long-term damage to pasture ecosystems. By enabling precise control of grazing patterns, virtual fencing technology like Nofence’s helps farmers implement rotational grazing, which allows pastureland to recover and promotes healthier soil and vegetation. This practice not only supports carbon sequestration in soils but also fosters biodiversity, making farming more resilient in the face of climate change.
The Series B funding round was led by the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund, with additional participation from Capagro, Nysnø Climate Investments, Climate Innovation Capital, and Speedinvest. Existing investors Sandwater, Momentum, and Ferd also joined the round.
This new capital will enable Nofence to enhance its support services for farmers, improve its technology offering, and expand to new markets. The company noted that demand is growing across Ireland and other European regions, as more land managers seek tools that can improve land use and reduce operational burdens.
Nofence’s collars are designed to help reduce the need for physical fencing, lower labour costs, and protect sensitive habitats. By enabling rotational grazing, the system supports better soil health and pasture recovery, while also contributing to animal welfare and sustainable farming practices.
“This Series B funding is more than a financial milestone; it further validates our vision and the real-world results we’ve delivered to farmers across the globe,” said CEO Joachim Kähler.
According to Marielle Hvide, Chief Commercial Officer at Nofence, the technology is already helping farmers deal with rising input costs, environmental regulations, and the need for innovation. “Virtual fencing is already helping farmers meet these challenges by enabling more flexible, precision grazing, improving animal welfare and supporting the digital transformation of agriculture,” she said.
As governments across Europe and North America tighten environmental regulations and promote sustainable farming incentives, technologies like virtual fencing align well with policy objectives. The ability to manage grazing more precisely supports compliance with biodiversity protection laws, water quality standards, and carbon reduction targets.
Furthermore, virtual fencing can be a valuable tool in agri-environment schemes that reward farmers for adopting practices that enhance ecosystem services. This alignment with policy frameworks not only supports sustainability goals but may also unlock additional funding opportunities for farmers adopting such innovations.
With this funding, Nofence is positioned to expand its reach and continue driving innovation in sustainable livestock management. As farmers adapt to changing environmental and economic conditions, the company’s virtual fencing system offers a flexible, animal-friendly, and efficient alternative to traditional methods. Agritech solutions therefore can transform traditional farming practices by integrating data-driven approaches to improve efficiency and sustainability.
Nofence’s successful €30 million Series B funding marks a significant step forward in advancing sustainable livestock management through innovative technology. By expanding its virtual fencing system across Europe and North America, the company aims to empower farmers with more efficient, animal-friendly, and environmentally responsible tools. As pressures on agriculture continue to grow, solutions like Nofence’s offer promising pathways toward a more sustainable and productive future for farming communities worldwide.
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