Harva raises $113M to transform the perishables market

Harva, a technology company focused on the perishables industry, has raised $113 million in combined debt and equity funding to expand its platform that integrates an AI-native ERP with embedded finance. The company aims to modernize a critical global sector still constrained by low digital adoption and heavy cash flow pressure. According to RioGrandeGuardian, the goal is to build the future operating system for fresh food distribution.

The U.S. wholesale produce market is estimated at $85 billion, while the global perishables industry — including food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals — exceeds $1 trillion. Despite its size, many distributors still rely on spreadsheets, messaging apps, and legacy systems, limiting efficiency and traceability.

In this context, Harva offers an integrated solution that tackles three key challenges: outdated operational systems, long payment cycles, and compliance with new food safety regulations. The platform delivers an AI-native ERP, invoice financing tools, and lot-level traceability aligned with requirements such as FSMA 204.

CEO and co-founder William Steele explained that the system enables real-time operations, including inventory visibility, integrated accounting, and full control from mobile or desktop devices. The same operational data also powers financing decisions, allowing distributors to access liquidity faster.

Cash flow remains one of the industry’s biggest constraints. Many companies operate with payment cycles of 30 to 40 days, creating constant financial pressure. Harva addresses this through embedded invoice financing, enabling sellers to receive funds more quickly from their transactions.

The company is already live with paying customers and processes real transactions across the U.S.-Mexico border. Over the past year, it facilitated more than $12 million in trade liquidity.

Harva is headquartered in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, strategically located near one of North America’s busiest fresh produce trade corridors. The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge is a key entry point for fruits and vegetables moving between Mexico and the United States, reinforcing the need for advanced logistics and financial tools in the region.

The rise of platforms like Harva reflects a broader push toward digitalization, operational efficiency, and financial resilience in perishables supply chains. The integration of software, data, and financing is emerging as a key lever to transform a historically fragmented industry.