North Dakota-Based Cattle Technology Company Reaches Profitability, Scales Smart Ear Tag Production and Targets Global Beef Markets
FARGO, N.D. — 701x, a Fargo-based agricultural technology company building a connected technology ecosystem for the beef cattle industry, has closed an oversubscribed $10 million Series B funding round and announced plans for major global expansion.
The round was funded entirely by individuals, including North Dakotans, Minnesotans, supporters from the greater Minneapolis area, and rancher-users from across the country, according to a company statement.
Unlike many high-growth technology companies, 701x did not raise the Series B from venture capital firms or institutional investors. Instead, it focused on a community-backed model closely tied to the producers, regions, and ranching communities the company serves.
“701x was founded because the beef industry deserves better technology — not outdated or single-function piecemeal tools, but a connected ecosystem designed specifically for cattle producers,” said Kevin Biffert, CEO of 701x. “Closing an oversubscribed round funded by our neighbors, our community, and our own customers is the kind of validation that means the most to us. This is just the beginning.”
The milestone comes as 701x marks six years in business, reaches profitability, and expands adoption of its platform across the United States and Canada.
For North Dakota, the raise represents more than a growth-stage financing announcement. It positions 701x as an emerging example of how the state’s agriculture economy, entrepreneurial ecosystem and livestock industry can produce technology companies serving global markets.
A Fargo AgTech Company Built Around the Beef Cattle Industry
Founded in Fargo, 701x is focused exclusively on technology for beef cattle producers. The company has developed a connected platform that includes on-ranch management software, breed association software, smart livestock wearables, DNA solutions, and accessory products.
The xTpro smart ear tag is a GPS-enabled device that uses direct-to-satellite connectivity to deliver real-time herd data and alerts to a rancher’s phone. The tag is designed to help producers monitor cattle location, health, fertility, and behavior. It also includes out-of-fence events, changes in animal health, estrus detection, calving activity, and bull-not-mounting alerts.
The company’s value proposition is straightforward: give ranchers faster access to information that can affect herd health, breeding efficiency, labor demands, and profitability.
In an industry where cattle may be spread over large, remote areas with limited infrastructure, 701x’s technology is designed to deliver visibility without requiring producers to rely on piecemeal tools or disconnected systems.
North Dakota’s Role in the Cattle and AgTech Economy
701x’s growth is particularly significant because it is happening in North Dakota, a state where agriculture remains central to the economy and identity of many communities.
The cattle sector is a major part of the state’s landscape. Ranchers operate in a region defined by large acreage, weather volatility, labor constraints, and the need for operational efficiency.
Its Fargo location gives 701x proximity to both agricultural producers and a growing regional innovation ecosystem. That combination matters.
While many agricultural technologies are developed far from the end user, 701x is building from within its state. As a result, cattle production, farm management and rural business challenges are part of the operating environment.
Funding support from North Dakotans, Minnesotans, and rancher-users shows that 701x has built confidence among both technology adopters and individuals who understand the practical realities of production agriculture.
For North Dakota’s startup and economic development ecosystem, 701x is an example of value-added agriculture. It moves beyond processing and commodities into data, automation, hardware, software, and global technology platforms.
A Connected Ecosystem for Beef Producers
701x describes itself as the only technology ecosystem built exclusively for the beef cattle industry. That distinction is central to the company’s strategy.
This ecosystem approach addresses a common pain point in agriculture technology: many ranchers have access to multiple tools, but those tools do not always work together.
By integrating wearables, software, DNA solutions, and breed association tools, 701x gives producers a more complete picture of their herd in a single connected system.
That positioning could become increasingly important. The beef industry is looking for ways to manage labor challenges, improve animal health monitoring, support better breeding decisions, and increase profitability across cattle operations.
Profitability and Heavy R&D Investment
701x also announced it has achieved its first profitable month. That is a significant milestone for a company that continues to invest heavily in research and development.
The company said current R&D priorities include completing a major overhaul of an acquired registry software platform and advancing development toward a full feedlot management system.
For an agtech company building both hardware and software, reaching profitability while continuing to fund product development is an important signal of operational discipline and market demand.
Manufacturing Advantage Reduces xTpro Assembly Costs
A key part of the company’s growth story is manufacturing efficiency.
701x said it has reduced assembly costs for its xTpro smart ear tag by 75% by integrating robotics and automation into its production line. That progress is connected directly to the background of Founder and CEO Kevin Biffert.
Before founding 701x, Biffert built Fargo Automation as sole owner, developing high-speed automation machinery for major pharmaceutical companies It was sold to Körber Medipak in 2017.
A key result is a strong competitive advantage. The company can produce high-quality livestock technology at scale while reducing unit costs as production volume increases.
Global Expansion Across Four Continents
While already live in Canada, 701x expects to launch in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Brazil before the end of the year.
Those markets represent major beef-producing regions and create an opportunity for 701x to establish itself as a global platform for cattle management technology. The expansion reflects broader adoption of precision livestock technology across cattle-producing regions worldwide.
Tools that deliver real-time herd intelligence could become more central to modern ranch operations.
Community-Funded Growth Validates the 701x Model
For 701x, the oversubscribed Series B is not just a financing event. It is a validation of the company’s relationship with its customers and community.
That customer-backed and community-backed model may be particularly meaningful in agriculture, where trust, practicality and proven return on investment often matter as much as innovation itself.
701x and the Future of North Dakota AgTech
The success of 701x highlights the role North Dakota can play in the future of agricultural innovation.
The state’s cattle industry provides companies like 701x with a strong foundation for product development, customer feedback, and real-world testing. Its broader agriculture economy creates a natural environment for technology designed to improve productivity, profitability, and resilience for producers.
As 701x moves from Fargo to global markets, the company is bringing a North Dakota-built model to the international beef industry. That is practical innovation rooted in ranchers’ needs, supported by local and regional investors, and designed to solve problems specific to cattle production.
