This Startup Uses AI And Inkjet Tech To Make Water Sprinklers Smarter

In the U.S., close to 9 billion gallons of water are used daily to maintain lawns. Traditional sprinkler systems are highly inefficient, often leading to wastage of up to half the water used by overwatering plants and soaking sidewalks. A Minnesota-based startup aims to solve this issue by developing a smarter watering system. Deemed as the most efficient sprinkler system on the planet and established in 2014 by Shane Dyer and Gary Klinefelter, Irrigreen has revolutionized lawn irrigation by implementing inkjet printer technology to precisely control water distribution. 

Unlike traditional sprinklers with fixed spray radiuses, each Irrigreen sprinkler head boasts 14 computer-controlled nozzles that deliver water solely where necessary. This intelligent system optimizes water usage, achieving up to 50% reduction without sacrificing lawn health.

Irrigreen’s smart irrigation platform utilizes an AI-powered design tool that takes a homeowner’s address and, with the help of satellite imagery, maps the precise shape of their lawn. This information is then used to create a personalized irrigation plan and estimate potential water savings. As Dyer mentionedmore sidewalk spray, dead patches in the yard, harmful chemical runoff down the drain, or dodging the sprinkler on the way to work.” The Irrigreen Controller 3, the newest version of the company’s smart controller, allows the system to adjust in real time to weather conditions and specific plant requirements (Landscape Management). It’s less about watering on a schedule and more about watering with precision.

Digital heads cover more ground using fewer units, requiring up to 70% less digging than traditional systems that rely on numerous underground pipes and sprinkler heads. This translates to not only easier installation but also simpler maintenance for homeowners and landscapers due to fewer potential points of failure.

The company announced a $19 million Series A funding round led by Natural Ventures and Burnt Island Ventures, with participation from Ulu Ventures, MFV Partners, Tamiami Angel Fund, and Sum Ventures. The raise brings the company’s total funding to $34 million.

With this funding round, Irrigreen is gearing up for major growth. First up: bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. The company is expanding its facility in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, cutting overseas dependencies and boosting local production.

Next, it’s scaling nationwide, building out a certified installer network to meet growing demand across the country. And finally, the funding will fuel continued R&D, allowing Irrigreen to push the boundaries of precision irrigation even further.

“We’re not just building a better sprinkler,” said CEO Shane Dyer. “Irrigreen is setting a new standard and pushing the boundaries of what lawn care can be.” 

There are more than 80 million residential lawns in the U.S., and each one represents an opportunity to conserve water, save money, and reduce environmental strain. Irrigreen is betting that the future of irrigation lies in intelligence, not abundance, and if they’re right, it might not just be your grass that’s greener.

For homeowners ready to ditch wasteful watering, the future may already be here, and it looks a lot like an inkjet printer.

“The world needs more innovative solutions like Irrigreen that address environmental challenges, lower costs, and simplify daily life,” said Tom Ferguson, founder and managing partner at Burnt Island Ventures.