Igino Cafiero
About Igino Cafiero
Igino Cafiero is the CEO of Bear Flag Robotics, a company he co-founded in 2017 that specializes in autonomous technology for agriculture. He has a strong background in engineering and business, having worked at notable companies such as Cisco and Broadcom, and holds degrees from prestigious institutions including The Wharton School and Stanford University.
Current Role at Bear Flag Robotics
Igino Cafiero serves as the CEO of Bear Flag Robotics, a company he co-founded in 2017. Under his leadership, Bear Flag Robotics specializes in developing autonomous technology for the agriculture sector. Cafiero has been instrumental in guiding the company through significant milestones, including its acquisition by Deere & Co in August 2021. His role involves overseeing the strategic direction and operational management of the company as it continues to innovate in agricultural automation.
Previous Experience at Cisco
Before joining Bear Flag Robotics, Igino Cafiero worked at Cisco as a Product Manager from 2014 to 2016. In this role, he was responsible for managing product development and strategy, contributing to Cisco's efforts in enhancing its technology offerings. His experience at Cisco provided him with valuable insights into product management and technology innovation.
Educational Background
Igino Cafiero has a strong educational foundation in engineering and business. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, completing his studies from 2002 to 2006. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, studying from 2006 to 2008. Additionally, he achieved a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from The Wharton School, attending from 2015 to 2017.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Prior to his role at Bear Flag Robotics, Igino Cafiero co-founded CKH MARKETING, LLC, where he served as Co-Founder and CTO from 2007 to 2010 in Newport Beach, CA. He also participated in the Y Combinator program as an alumnus of the Winter '18 cohort, which provided him with further entrepreneurial experience. His background in founding and leading companies has equipped him with the skills necessary for navigating the challenges of the tech industry.
Funding and Partnerships
Under Igino Cafiero's leadership, Bear Flag Robotics has successfully secured significant funding to support its growth. The company raised $3.5 million in 2018 with True Ventures and later secured a $7.9 million seed extension with several investors, including True Ventures, Graphene Ventures, AgFunder, D20, and Green Cow VC. Additionally, Bear Flag Robotics partnered with Church Brothers Farms in early 2021, further establishing its presence in the agricultural technology sector.