RAPID CITY, S.D. – An agricultural technology company bringing connected intelligence to the beef cattle industry has announced a major financial milestone, a development of high interest to livestock producers in the Rapid City region.

Fargo, North Dakota-based 701x announced the close of an oversubscribed $10 million Series B funding round. Marking six years in business, the company simultaneously announced it has hit profitability, added world-class talent, and is accelerating a major global expansion.

Unlike typical venture-backed technology companies, the Series B round for 701x was raised entirely from individuals who believe in the company’s mission. Investors include local North Dakotans and Minnesotans extending to the greater Minneapolis area, as well as rancher-users from across the country who have experienced the platform firsthand. No venture capital or institutional money was involved in the round, a community-focused approach that aligns with the independent spirit of cattle producers in the Rapid City area.

In its six years of operation, 701x has built what it describes as a true, connected ecosystem of technology tools focused exclusively on beef cattle. The platform spans on-ranch software, breed association software, smart wearables, DNA solutions, and a growing accessory product line – all designed to work together and give producers the complete picture of their herd.

At the heart of the wearables category is the xTpro – a GPS smart ear tag that utilizes direct-to-satellite connectivity to deliver real-time data and alerts straight to a rancher’s phone, no matter where the herd is located. For operations managing vast pastures around Rapid City and western South Dakota, this satellite connectivity provides a critical link. Equipped with a suite of onboard sensors, the xTpro enables 701x to provide producers with instant alerts for out-of-fence events, animal health changes, estrus detection, calving activity, and bull-not-mounting notifications.

The company achieved its first profitable month while continuing to direct the majority of its labor budget toward research and development. Current priorities include completing a comprehensive overhaul of an acquired registry software platform and advancing innovation toward a full feedlot management system.

Through the integration of robotics and automation throughout its production line, 701x has reduced assembly costs for its signature xTpro smart ear tag by 75%. This manufacturing transformation stems from 701x Founder and CEO Kevin Biffert, who previously built Fargo Automation from the ground up as its sole owner, developing high-speed automation machinery for global pharmaceutical companies before selling it to Körber Medipak in 2017. That precision manufacturing expertise is now being applied to 701x’s production operations, allowing the company to achieve efficiencies of scale and deliver low-cost products to the market.

To support its global ambitions, 701x has brought on world-class talent across key functions. The company is already live in Canada and is on track to launch in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Brazil before the end of the year.

“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,” Biffert said. “701x provides tools with the greatest ROI by targeting ranchers true pain points – fertility and health metrics for their cattle. 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.”