Naware targets chemical-free weed killing with computer vision

Naware, a startup founded by Mark Boysen, is developing a chemical-free weed control technology that could change how we treat lawns. The system uses computer vision to identify weeds in lawns, athletic fields, and golf courses, and then targets them with vaporized water. By using steam instead of traditional chemical treatments, the technology offers a potential alternative for industrial and commercial lawn maintenance.

The motivation behind the technology is deeply personal for Boysen. His family in North Dakota lost three members to cancer, something they suspected may be related to chemicals in the groundwater. This drove Boysen to seek a chemical-free weed-killing solution. He initially experimented with drones and a 200-watt laser, but abandoned the approach due to fire risks. After testing other methods, Boysen settled on steam. During the early prototyping phase, his team ordered a garment steamer from Amazon to test the concept, eventually ordering seven more to refine the system before showcasing the technology at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.

Transitioning from consumer steamers to an industrial-scale system required overcoming significant technical hurdles. Boysen noted that off-the-shelf steamers are not industrial, requiring substantial research to make the steam application effective, repeatable, and scalable. Additionally, the software must solve the “green-on-green” problem—the challenge of identifying weeds against a background of grass—in real time as the equipment moves. To achieve this, Naware’s software runs on Nvidia GPUs to process visual data in real time. On the business side, Boysen has been bootstrapping the company—funding it using personal finances or operating revenue—but plans to open a fundraising round in the coming months.

Naware is targeting commercial lawn care operators, such as those managing athletic fields and golf courses. According to Boysen, the system can save customers anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 on chemicals alone, while also reducing labor costs associated with chemical application. To scale the technology, the company is focusing on strategic partnerships. “We’re going after the strategic partnerships. We’re in discussions with $5 billion companies that do equipment manufacturing that are interested in our product. And we’re a couple conversations into that — I can’t say their name, but you’ll figure it out,” Boysen said.

Why it matters

Naware’s approach highlights the intersection of computer vision and industrial hardware, aiming to disrupt the high-cost, chemical-heavy maintenance market for athletic fields and golf courses.