Brazilian Agtech Pastu Lands R$500K Microsoft Grant for AI-Powered Cattle Management

Pastu, a Brazilian agtech focused on cattle management, has received over R$500,000 through the Microsoft for Startups program. The grant will fund artificial intelligence and data tools that aim to replace traditional notebooks with digital herd management.

The company plans to spend the grant on new AI models, expanded cloud processing, remote sensing, and automated analysis of satellite imagery for pasture management and cattle traceability. This investment is a first step towards reaching R$2 million in infrastructure costs, according to CEO Victor Lima.

Pastu's technology links an animal's full history, from birth to slaughter, to sanitary and export-market requirements, helping ranchers unlock premiums in markets such as the Hilton Quota. Founded by Lima, a rancher's son, Pastu now serves about 420 clients, targeting medium and large producers of 800 head or more.

The company grew rapidly from three people to 40 in just over a year. Before receiving the grant, Pastu joined the Plug and Play accelerator in Silicon Valley but declined outside investment early on to study the domestic market.