Connect with:
Tuesday / January 21. 2025

logo
mobile-logo
HomePosts Tagged "funding"
Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Finance, Funding, Sustainable Energy

This partnership aims to enhance Sistema.bio’s expansion into new African markets and diversify its agricultural and energy products.

Biogas technology provider company Sistema. Bio, which empower family farmers by providing access to biodigester technology, training, and financing, has announced Novastar Ventures as its newest investor. Novastar has joined Sistema.bio’s recent internal financing round of $7.75 million with a $3.5 million investment.

A media statement said this will accelerate Sistema.bio’s expansion into new African markets, new agricultural and energy products and its overall growth.

Joyce Cacho, Board Chairman of Sistema.bio, said, “Novastar Ventures’ investment strengthens Sistema.bio’s mission to empower low-resourced farmers with sustainable solutions that drive economic growth, climate resilience, and regenerative agriculture. Together, we are scaling impactful technologies that benefit both people and the planet.”

Steve Beck, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Novastar said Sistema.bio’s innovative technology and financing empower family farmers to transform farm waste into renewable energy and fertilizer. This unlocks farmers’ economic, health, and productivity benefits, building their resilience to climate change while reducing substantial greenhouse gas emissions.

“Sistema.bio is the first investment from our third fund, the Novastar Ventures Africa People and Planet Fund III (NVIII), which invests in transformative businesses that align the economic interests of Africa’s growing population with planet-positive technologies. We are excited to partner with Sistema.bio at this inflection point, as the company unlocks carbon markets to accelerate growth and serve more farmers with the tools to build resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural systems,” Steve Beck said.

A media statement said Sistema.bio’s innovative biogas systems and digital MRV (digital measurement, reporting, and verification) technology align well with Novastar’s mission to partner with bold entrepreneurs building businesses in Africa that create lasting value for the many, not just the few, for both people and the planet—for good.

Alex Eaton, CEO and Co-founder of Sistema.bio, said: “We have known the Novastar team for some time and are excited to welcome them now to Sistema.bio’s family of investors. Their investment bolsters our ambition to scale our services across Africa, empowering even more farmers with impactful solutions. It also reinforces our commitment to climate action as we work toward achieving a 1 per cent reduction in annual global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.”

Sistema.bio has raised a total financing of $18.5 million in 2024, with a focus on regional geographic growth and adding new products. This funding will also help address the global demand for renewable energy, promote regenerative agricultural solutions, and support carbon emission reduction projects. The statement said that this funding also sets the stage for Sistema.bio’s anticipated Series C round, allowing the company to continue its leadership in biogas technology while advancing its mission to support smallholder farmers worldwide.

This partnership aims to enhance Sistema.bio’s expansion

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Cold Storage, Company News, Finance, India, Start ups, Supply Chain

This round of investment will be directed toward scaling Ecozen’s flagship solutions, including Ecotron, Ecofrost, and advanced motor control systems.

Ecozen, a leading climate-smart technology solutions provider, has raised over $23 million in debt funding from responsAbility Investments AG, Northern Arc Capital Limited, Maanaveeya Development & Finance Private Limited, and others. This funding will help Ecozen drive scale in its current businesses while furthering its position as a leader in sustainable technologies.

Ecozen has recorded an outstanding CAGR of over 83 per cent in revenue growth over the past three years, underscoring its rapid and sustained success. The company has manufactured over 300,000 Ecotron solar pump controllers to date, with an impressive 100,000 units produced between March and December 2024 alone. These innovations have contributed to the abatement of more than 2 million metric tons of greenhouse gases (GHG), including a remarkable 660,000 metric tons in 2024 alone.

In 2025, Ecozen is expanding its portfolio with innovative products tailored to the evolving needs of communities and businesses. With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, the company will continue to pave the way for a future where growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

Devendra Gupta, CEO and Co-Founder of Ecozen, said, “This funding reaffirms the confidence our partners have in Ecozen’s ability to drive impactful change through innovation. We are excited to be on a rapid growth path, driven by the increasing need for sustainable, climate-smart solutions. This funding will help us reach more people, expand our operations, and strengthen our impact in India and beyond. Our focus has always been on empowering our customers and providing them with the tools they need to thrive in a changing world. I’m truly grateful for the trust and support from our investors—responsAbility, Northern Arc, Maanaveeya and others, including our existing partners, who share our vision and are helping us create lasting positive change.”

Neha Baid, Team Head, Sustainable Food Debt, APAC, at responsAbility Investments AG, added,”Ecozen’s innovative solutions resonate deeply with our commitment to support sustainable and impactful ventures that are focused on climate mitigation, food loss and waste reduction and fostering overall climate resilience. We are proud to contribute to their journey of empowering rural and industrial stakeholders with advanced climate-smart technologies.”                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Ashish Mehrotra, MD & CEO, Northern Arc Capital said, “Northern Arc is delighted to support Ecozen in their journey of creating a sustainable impact through innovative technologies. This partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to addressing climate change and fostering climate-first businesses. With the launch of our USD 125 million climate fund dedicated to supporting businesses that control and mitigate climate change, we aim to empower enterprises like Ecozen to grow and prosper. Together, we strive to advance climate-sustainable solutions and contribute meaningfully to a greener, more resilient future for all.”

“Over the past four decades, Maanaveeya has supported businesses that drive social change and economic empowerment. Ecozen exemplifies the potential of innovative technology to solve real-world problems. We look forward to seeing them expand their footprint and impact even further.” highlighted Dr Gouri Sankar, the Managing Director of Maanaveeya Development & Finance Private Limited.

This round of investment will be directed

Company News, Finance, Funding, India, Start ups

Company aims to develop a scalable farm-to-fork model from latest capital infusion from Jungle Ventures.

KisaanSay, incubated at Indigram Labs and supported through the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, has successfully raised $2 million (Rs 17.29 Crore) in its pre-seed round. The funding round was led by Jungle Ventures through First Cheque@Jungle, with participation from senior leaders in the food industry.

Founded by Nitin Puri, Manoj Karki, and Vaishali Mehta, KisaanSay is transforming the connection between farmers and consumers with its direct-from-origin food brand. Partnering with 20 farmer collectives representing over 50,000 farmers, the startup ensures that every product is grown, minimally processed, and packaged at its origin.

With a portfolio of 80+ products across 12 categories, KisaanSay is now poised to expand its marketing efforts, operations, and distribution footprint, all while staying true to its mission of empowering farmers and promoting sustainable farming practices.

KisaanSay aims to develop a scalable farm-to-fork model. The fresh capital infusion will enhance marketing efforts, build a world-class team, and scale operations by expanding the product portfolio and distribution network. The goal is to create an ecosystem where every consumer has access to high-quality food and every farmer gains access to fair and sustainable markets.

“We are delighted to welcome Jungle to the KisaanSay family. Amit and Rishab have been incredibly supportive throughout this journey, and we are confident that their expertise will help steer us from idea to IPO. Jungle’s commitment to ESG and its global experience in tech and consumer space make it the perfect investor fit for us”, said Nitin Puri, Co-Founder of KisaanSay in the statement.

Rishab Malik, Partner, Seed Investments, who leads First Cheque@Jungle,stated that, “KisaanSay is addressing a fundamental gap in India’s food supply chain by creating a direct and equitable link between farmers and consumers. India also lacks a provenance-based consumer brand that brings authentic, pure, and high-quality products from the region’s best suited for their cultivation. What stood out to us was the team’s ability to align purpose with scale, building a model that delivers value to both sides of the ecosystem.”

Company aims to develop a scalable farm-to-fork

Agribusiness, Company News, Farm Mechanisation, Finance, Funding, India, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, Machinery – Post-harvesting

The funds raised will be directed towards fostering innovation and building strong capabilities in vehicle engineering, vehicle software and battery technology.

 Moonrider an Electric Tractor Technology Company headquartered in Bangalore, has raised a seed round of US$2.2M (Rs.19 crores) co-led by AdvantEdge Founders and Micelio Technology Fund, in addition to a clutch of angel investors. Moonrider, founded in August 2023 by Anoop Srikantaswamy and Ravi Kulkarni, leverages their extensive backgrounds in vehicle engineering and electric vehicle R&D from the Volvo Group, Ola Electric & Olectra BYD. Moonrider offers a comprehensive range of heavy-duty electric tractors that significantly reduce operational costs for farmers and fleet operators.

The funds raised will be directed towards fostering innovation and building strong capabilities in vehicle engineering, vehicle software and battery technology. The company’s electric tractor recently captured significant attention at an agricultural event in Hyderabad, drawing interest from farmer producer organizations (FPOs), individual farm owners, and various stakeholders within the agricultural ecosystem across the country.

Commenting on the funding Anoop Srikantaswamy, co-founder and CEO of Moonrider, stated, “Our mission is to enhance farm profitability by empowering farmers to earn more, save more and produce more. Our electric tractors are designed to cater to diverse farming needs, delivering superior performance, boosting farmer income, and promoting climate-friendly farm mechanization. In recent months, we have forged strong partnerships with leading agri-players and fleet operators both in India and internationally. By leveraging our collective expertise, we aim to develop world-class solutions that elevate productivity. We are proudly Made in India, for the world”.

‘AdvantEdge’s fund thesis centers around accelerating the transition from the Internal Combustion Engine to Electric Vehicles and we see electric tractors as the next category since they are fifty percent cheaper to own and maintain,’ said Kunal Khattar, from AdvantEdge Founders, India’s leading mobility technology fund.

Shreyas Shibulal, founder, Micelio Fund stated, ‘We are very excited about our partnership with Anoop, Ravi and the entire Moonrider team. We believe we are at the right intersection point for electric tractors given the technology and business model evolutions. At Micelio Fund, we aim to back disruptive and sustainable innovations that push the envelope of clean mobility and Moonrider feels right at home.’

The funds raised will be directed towards

Agribusiness, Company News, Finance, Horticulture, India

The Company will utilise the funds to expand climate-resilient patented varieties of table grapes and citrus and augment its packhouse and processing capacities for fruits and vegetables.

Sahyadri Farms Post Harvest Care Limited, India’s largest fully integrated and tech-enabled horticulture platform, has raised Rs 390 Crore from Europe-based PE fund responsibility, and US-based PE fund GEF Capital Partners, along with participation from all existing investors-FMO, Proparco, Incofin and Korys.

The Company will utilise the funds to expand climate-resilient patented varieties of table grapes and citrus and augment its packhouse and processing capacities for Fruits and Vegetables (FnV) and value-added products like aseptic, IQF, freeze-dried, juice concentrates and dry fruits.

Sahyadri Farms operates an end-to-end FnV supply chain from facilitating farmers/FPOs to grow international- quality produce to primary/secondary processing to marketing the products to marquee international and domestic customers.

Started in 2011 by a handful of grape farmers under the visionary leadership of Vilas Shinde, the Company has grown to become a multi-crop, multi-product and multi-channel distribution network providing digitally enabled fully integrated value chain to 25,000+ registered farmers and more than 200 institutional clients across 40+ countries.

The Company raised its first institutional round of Rs 310 Crore in September 22 from FMO, Proparco, Incofin and Korys. In last two years, the Company has nearly doubled its revenue to Rs 1,482Cr in FY24 with healthy profitability and with this additional funding, the business is projected to further grow at 40 per cent CAGR over the next five years.

The Company will utilise the funds to

Agribusiness, Company News, Finance, Funding, India, Packaging & Labelling, Start ups, Supply Chain

This investment will enable Agrileaf to expand its operations in existing markets across the US and Europe, as well as build a consumer-facing brand in India.

Bengaluru based Agrileaf, a leading Indian manufacturer and exporter of biodegradable dinnerware, announced that it has secured Rs 16 Crore ($2 Mn USD) in growth funding led by Capital-A and Samarsh Capital. This investment will enable Agrileaf to expand its operations in existing markets across the US and Europe, as well as build a consumer-facing brand in India. This marks Agrileaf’s first fundraise after being bootstrapped and profitable to date.

The round also saw participation from angel investors including Shaji Devekar, Siddharth Bafna, Co-founder of The Nutcracker, Family office of Ved Prakash, Pritie Jain of Bling Mushrooms, Sumeet Bhalotia, Director at Vario Lounge, Dhruv Taneja, Founder – Matchlog and Chiranth Patil- Beta Plus.

With this investment, Agrileaf will expand production capacity, enhance its biodegradable dinnerware and packaging line, and deepen its community impact. Operating from a world-class facility in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, Agrileaf integrates a robust supply chain of areca leaf collection with advanced robotics and AI-driven quality control to ensure high-quality, backyard-compostable products that meet both market and environmental needs. Currently, Agrileaf targets to produce up to 300,000 dinnerware products daily by end of 2025 and has created over 1,000 jobs, supporting rural economic development.

Founded in 2019 by Avinash Rao and Athishay Jain, Agrileaf provides a sustainable, high-strength alternative to plastic, paper, and bagasse plates. Dedicated to supporting local areca farmers through responsible sourcing, Agrileaf aims to foster a zero-waste, community-centered future with eco-friendly solutions available worldwide.

Commenting on the investment, Avinash Rao, Co-Founder of Agrileaf, said, “Capital-A and Samarsh Capital’s support empowers us to expand our reach and impact. This investment strengthens our mission to bring sustainable, compostable dinnerware to global markets while fostering the local economy and promoting environmental responsibility. With this backing, we aim to scale operations, enhance technology, and continue creating positive change from the ground up.”

Ankit Kedia, Founder & Lead Investor at Capital-A, highlighted the alignment of this investment with Capital-A’s focus on supporting green businesses, “At Capital-A, manufacturing and materials innovation are key pillars of our investment philosophy. Agrileaf’s innovative use of Karnataka’s vast areca plantations have the potential to redefine sustainable tableware solutions”.

Sandeep Shenoy, Managing Partner at Samarsh Capital, added, “Agrileaf has demonstrated how sustainable manufacturing can drive both economic and environmental progress. We are eager to support Avinash and Athishay as they expand into new markets and redefine eco-friendly dining solutions globally.”

This investment will enable Agrileaf to expand

Agri Genomics, Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, North America

The grant will support the “Yam Optimized Architecture through Gene Editing (YOAGE)” project, aimed at delivering novel genetic variation to yam (Dioscorea spp.) that improves plant architecture.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in partnership with Pairwise, a US-based technology company pioneering the application of gene editing in food and agriculture, announced a grant of US$ 3,874,356 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This grant will support the “Yam Optimized Architecture through Gene Editing (YOAGE)” project, an innovative project aimed at delivering novel genetic variation to yam (Dioscorea spp.) that improves plant architecture. The project goal is to reduce labor and environmental impact associated with traditional plant staking while also enabling mechanized farming in Nigeria, where yam is an important staple food crop.

The 4-year YOAGE project will focus on developing yam varieties with optimized growth characteristics, improving cultivation practices, and boosting productivity and profitability while collaborating with various stakeholders, including local farmers, agricultural experts, and policymakers. Yam is the second most important root and tuber crop in sub-Saharan Africa after cassava, with a production of about 75 million metric tons (FAO, 2021) and provides about 200 kilocalories daily to over 400 million people in the low-income and food-deficit countries of the tropics. Africa produces over 97 per cent of the global yams, with Nigeria alone accounting for about 66 per cent of the world’s total (FAO, 2021). In West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, yam is not only a staple crop but also plays a central role as a traditional flagship crop deeply intertwined with societal norms, fulfilling various social and religious functions.

Despite this importance, yam cultivation faces several challenges, such as high costs of planting materials and labor, declining soil fertility, low-yielding varieties that require staking, and increased pest and disease pressures due to intensified farming. While conventional breeding has improved yam varieties for pest resistance, adaptability, and quality, it has made limited progress in optimizing plant architecture for mechanized farming. The YOAGE project will leverage advanced gene editing tools to overcome these challenges and support global food security, particularly in the face of climate change, resource limitations, and shifting consumer demands.

Leena Tripathi, IITA Eastern Africa Hub Director, Biotechnology Program Lead, and YOAGE Principal Investigator, said: “Receiving this grant from the Gates Foundation marks a pivotal advancement in transforming yam production through innovative gene editing technologies. By developing improved bushy-types of yam varieties, we aim to reduce labor demands, enhance farming efficiency, and boost sustainability. Ultimately, our goal is to elevate farmers’ livelihoods and strengthen food security.”

The YOAGE project aims to develop these varieties by identifying the genes controlling plant growth, optimizing gene editing to develop semi-dwarf varieties, and analyzing the impacts of these changes on labor and gender dynamics. By addressing the technical and environmental challenges of yam production, the project is expected to significantly improve productivity and farmers’ income, contributing to the global goal of sustainable agriculture and food security.

The Gates Foundation selected IITA and Pairwise for the grant because of their proven records in agricultural innovations and community engagements in the region. IITA is a global center of excellence for yam breeding and a genetic improvement source of new and improved yam genotypes for major yam growers in Africa. Also, it has a long tradition and experience in the breeding and genetics of yam, a well-established yam breeding network that connects several national programs from major yam-growing areas in Africa.

Pairwise is pioneering the application of gene editing technology in food and agriculture through its Fulcrum™ Platform, the most extensively developed and validated toolbox for CRISPR application in plants. As one of the first companies in the world to commercialize gene-edited consumer food and agricultural products, Pairwise brings together leaders in agriculture, technology, and consumer foods to harness the transformative potential of new genomics technologies to create innovative new products.

“The Gates Foundation sees gene editing as an opportunity to more rapidly advance important crops like yam, following a path established through a long history of crop breeding. Through gene editing, we can keep all the favorable characteristics of adapted crops, such as nutrition and climate resilience, while removing characteristics like vining in yams that limit a crop’s potential. By partnering IITA with Pairwise, we have brought together top scientists to tackle this important challenge and drive adoption of improved varieties for smallholder farmers.” explained Dr Nicolas Bate, the Senior Program Officer at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Pairwise Director of Trait Strategy and Testing, Dr Shai Lawit, added: “Gene editing offers a revolutionary approach to solving global challenges in agriculture. Through important public-private initiatives like this one with IITA, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Pairwise, we are not only improving crop production; we’re also empowering smallholder farmers, reducing environmental impacts, and advancing food security to narrow the global nutritional deficit, which is especially prevalent in developing countries.”

Through this combined work, the YOAGE project will demonstrate the importance of public-private partnerships in unlocking the benefits of gene editing in Nigeria and Africa at large.

The grant will support the “Yam Optimized

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Digital Technologies, Finance, Funding, World

Funding fuels growth of Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder™ business, introduction of new software and hardware products, and expansion of state-of-the-art manufacturing.

Carbon Robotics, a leader in AI-powered farming, announced today that it has raised $70 million in Series D financing. The financing was led by new investor BOND with participation from existing investors NVentures (NVIDIA’s venture capital arm), Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Revolution, Sozo Ventures, and Voyager Capital. This round brings total company funding to $157 million. As part of the financing, Mood Rowghani, general partner at BOND, will join Carbon Robotics’ Board of Directors.

This new funding round will help scale Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder™ business, introduce new software and hardware products, and expand state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities in Eastern Washington. It will also support the company’s growth in new markets and continue its geographic expansion into Eastern and Southern Europe, as well as the Asia-Pacific region.

“Carbon Robotics is uniquely positioned to deploy AI to transform the massive agriculture industry at a critical time,” said Mood Rowghani, general partner at BOND. “Its proven ability to execute and scale, combined with a visionary leadership team, makes it a clear standout in the space. This investment reflects our strong conviction in the central role Carbon Robotics will play in shaping the future of farming.”

Carbon Robotics has quickly emerged as the innovation leader in the agricultural industry with its AI-powered LaserWeeder. Growers in North America, Europe, and Australia have eliminated more than 10 billion weeds across 100 crop types without the use of chemical herbicides, hand labor, or soil disruption.

“This funding represents a pivotal milestone not just for our company but for farmers and consumers worldwide,” said Paul Mikesell, CEO and founder of Carbon Robotics. “We’re leading a transformative shift, and this investment accelerates our ability to pioneer AI and robotics that will reshape farming for generations to come. I’m excited to have the strong backing of BOND and existing investors like NVentures and to welcome Mood Rowghani to our Board.”

The funding comes on the heels of Carbon Robotics’ recognition on the CNBC Disruptor 50, Fast Company’s Best Workplaces For Innovators, and the Fortune Change The World lists. These accolades underscore the Carbon Robotics team’s passion for innovation that creates a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Funding fuels growth of Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder™

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Dairy, Finance, Funding, India

The round saw participation from existing investors (Blume Ventures, Omnivore, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, IDH Farmfit Fund, 500 Startups & Blue Ashva Capital), and new investor Miledeep Capital.

Dairy tech startup Stellapps Technologies announced that company has raised $26 million in its Series C funding round in equity & debt to accelerate its mooMark business. The round saw participation from existing investors (Blume Ventures, Omnivore, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, IDH Farmfit Fund, 500 Startups & Blue Ashva Capital), and new investor Miledeep Capital, with debt funding provided by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

mooMark is focused on contract manufacturing and private labelled dairy business of high-quality value-added dairy products, that are both sustainable and traceable. Incubated at IIT Madras, Stellapps started as a Dairy IoT solutions provider, and has now ventured into contract manufacturing and private labelling of value-added dairy products under the “‘mooMark’” brand. The company utilises a “low-capex and tech-powered approach” to deliver these products to Indian and global customers.  Stellapps’ dairy-tech is deployed in over 42,000 villages, enabling the movement of more than 14 million liters of milk every day.

“We are excited to receive continued commitment from our existing investors and welcome aboard new investors as part of our Series C round. This capital will help mooMark scale its value-added dairy product offering to its customers across India in a sustainable manner and strengthen its export segment going forward,” said Ranjith Mukundan, CEO of Stellapps.

The round saw participation from existing investors

Agribusiness, Company News, Finance, Funding, World

The capital will propel ongoing support for Micropep’s pipeline of sustainable micropeptide solutions to develop affordable, effective crop protection solutions.

Micropep Technologies (Micropep), the global leader in micropeptide crop protection technologies, announced that it has successfully closed its Series B funding round with an additional $11 million commitment. This investment, from new investors Corteva Inc. through its Corteva Catalyst platform, Sparkfood SA, as well as all existing investors brings the total Series B round to $40 million and elevates the company’s total funding to over $60 million.

The capital will propel ongoing support for Micropep’s pipeline of sustainable micropeptide solutions by harnessing the power of its proprietary discovery platform, Krisalix™, to develop affordable, effective crop protection solutions.

Micropep’s proprietary discovery platform, Krisalix™, allows researchers to discover new micropeptide molecules seamlessly and rapidly for more efficient and environmentally friendly crop protection compared to traditional methods used within the industry. Krisalix™, a robust screening tool, measures efficiency, stability, and production feasibility by combining proprietary micropeptide design algorithms with a unique suite of bioassays.

“On the heels of the initial raise of $29 million for this round, this increased investment in Micropep will accelerate our time to market,” said Thomas Laurent, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Micropep. ‘We are grateful to our incoming investors, Corteva and Sparkfood, for their partnership and confidence in our ability to be a new hope for sustainable agriculture for future generations.”

Corteva, Inc., through its Corteva platform, collaborates with entrepreneurs and innovators to accelerate the development of early-stage, disruptive technologies that enable farmers to sustainably produce more food and feed.

“Micropep is helping shape the accelerated delivery of sustainable innovation through their micropeptide crop health solutions, and we’re excited to stand with Micropep among the leading investors in this funding round,” said Tom Greene, senior director at Corteva, Inc. and global leader for Corteva Catalyst, the company’s investment and partnership platform. “The technologies they are developing—particularly as leaders in the peptide space—complement Corteva’s own leadership in biologicals and natural products and are crucial for the expansion of environmentally friendly and effective crop protection solutions.”

Sparkfood is a subsidiary of Sonae, a multinational Portuguese holding company backed by a long-term value-driven family. Sparkfood funds & fuels next-generation of food companies towards a sustainable, healthier future. Micropep’s addition to Sparkfood’s portfolio highlights their commitment to invest in food impact companies in all sectors from the farm to the table.

“We see the combination of three pillars of innovation built by Micropep to produce micropeptide-based biosolutions as a major breakthrough in the industry,” said Anouk Veber, Head of Ventures at Sparkfood. “Between an AI tool, a platform approach capable of producing multiple end applications from various modes of action, and a low-cost and scalable production approach, we believe Micropep is well positioned. Sparkfood will support the company over time through its market expertise, potential subsequent fundings depending on needs, and portfolio complementarity, including potential synergies with our latest investment, BCF Life Sciences, as both companies are tackling the bio-inputs space through different approaches.”

The capital will propel ongoing support for

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Finance, Funding, Start ups

The company plans to launch its existing range of innovative biostimulants in North America, Brazil & Southeast Asia with trials in the US currently underway.

BioPrime, a pioneer in the biologicals space, announced today that it has raised a $6 million Series A round, led by Edaphon, with equal participation from existing investors Omnivore and Inflexor. This investment marks Belgium-based Edaphon’s first investment in Asia. This investment will fuel BioPrime’s research in the crop protection segment, focusing on the co-development of novel biofungicides & bioinsecticides.

The company plans to launch its existing range of innovative biostimulants in North America, Brazil & Southeast Asia with trials in the US currently underway. Furthermore, BioPrime plans to advance & accelerate product development based on BioNexus, the patented technology platform, which has identified over 170 novel microbial strains from its library of close to 18,000 strains. BioPrime will continue to steadily move away from a one-product-fits-all approach and enhance B2B customer experience by offering products customized to the exact customer needs. The startup’s goal remains – From Nature, For Nature.

Dr. Renuka Diwan, Co-founder & CEO, commented on the funding, “Securing this investment is a testimony to the strength & impact of our technology and the dedication of our team. We will continue to pursue our strategic priorities of accelerating the development of industry solutions in the biologicals space. We look forward to enhancing the offerings to our existing B2B customers & entering into strategic co-development & licensing with industry players.”

“We invested in BioPrime because of its impressive balance between a strong portfolio of commercial products and a high-potential innovation pipeline. The company has already demonstrated success in delivering impactful solutions to the market, while its advanced R&D platform is set to unlock significant future growth. Operating within India’s rapidly growing biostimulant market, BioPrime is deeply connected to the country’s agricultural core, providing crucial solutions to smallholder farmers and addressing sustainability challenges. This combination of proven market performance, forward-looking innovation, and strong market potential makes BioPrime well-positioned to drive both immediate and long-term impact” says Vincent Vliebergh, Managing Partner of Edaphon.

The current round of investment further strengthens the growth path being charted by BioPrime leveraging its IP and consumer product portfolio. It also further deepens the conviction on the biologicals space in India,” quoted Pratip Mazumdar, Managing Partner of Inflexor.

“The climate crisis threatens the very future of agrifood systems and rural communities across India.  The complex web of challenges threatening food security and rural livelihoods demands innovative approaches with potential for systemic change,” says Jinesh Shah, Managing Partner of Omnivore. “Our investment in BioPrime underscores our steadfast commitment to advancing sustainable farming practices.”

The company plans to launch its existing

Agribusiness, Company News, Finance, Funding, India, Start ups

The funding will be used to scale operations, enhance product development, and expand the company’s market presence.

Gocarin Industries Pvt. Ltd., a pioneering startup in the agri-tech sector, announced that it has secured Rs 49 lakh in funding from KIIT Technology Business Incubator (TBI) under the prestigious BIRAC Leap programme.

The funding comes as a part of the central government’s initiative to support innovative startups and bolster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in India. BIRAC Leap, an initiative under the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), aims to accelerate startups with potential for high impact and scalability.

The funding will be used to scale operations, enhance product development, and expand the company’s market presence, further solidifying Gocarin Industries’ position as a leader in the agri-tech industry.

Dr Ramanuj Panda, a Founder and CEO of Gocarin Industries, expressed his enthusiasm about this milestone: “We are honoured to receive this support from KIIT TBI and BIRAC. This funding will be instrumental in driving our mission to revolutionize the agricultural industry by empowering farmers with cutting-edge technology solutions. The validation from such esteemed institutions is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication.”

Gocarin Industries has been at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to farmers, helping them improve productivity and sustainability. The infusion of funds will enable the company to enhance its product offerings, expand its reach, and continue to innovate in the agri-tech space.

KIIT TBI, known for its robust incubation support and mentorship, has been a catalyst for numerous successful startups. The BIRAC Leap programme, specifically designed for high-potential startups, will provide Gocarin Industries with not just financial support but also strategic guidance and mentorship.

“We believe in the vision and potential of Gocarin Industries. Their commitment to leveraging technology to solve real-world problems in agriculture aligns perfectly with the objectives of the BIRAC Leap programme,” said Dr Mrutyunjay Suar, CEO KIIT TBI, DG (R&D) KIIT University, Chairman BCKIC.

The funding will be used to scale

Agribusiness, Climate, Finance, Funding, World

The round was led by The Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund (ARAF) and Equator, alongside the Asian Development Bank Ventures (ADBV) and existing investors including Ankur Capital.

Headquartered in Luxemburg, IBISA, a Climate Insurtech company has closed a $3 million funding round to scale its parametric insurance solutions for weather-related risks in Asia and Africa. The round was led by The Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund (ARAF) and Equator, alongside the Asian Development Bank Ventures (ADBV) and existing investors including Ankur Capital. This strategic investment will empower IBISA to make parametric insurance more accessible.

With the global cost of extreme weather events on agriculture estimated to be between $10-15 billion annually as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, IBISA is providing simple and efficient parametric insurance products to help those affected by the climate crisis. Leveraging innovative satellite and actuarial technologies, IBISA designs and operates parametric insurance products that promote financial resilience in regions where communities are the most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events. The company is placing a special emphasis on India, since establishing a local presence there in 2023.

Currently, IBISA offers a suite of innovative climate coverages tailored to meet the needs of multiple stakeholders worldwide. These include agricultural-focused insurance products, as well as typhoon insurance, and loan protection for financial institutions. Additionally, IBISA has developed a groundbreaking heat stress product insurance initially designed for dairy farmers, primarily in India, that is currently being expanded in other countries, such as Bangladesh.

Maria Mateo, CEO of IBISA, explains: “Since the beginning at IBISA, we have functioned with great agility as product innovators and bringing these products to market efficiently. This is what drives us. This is our DNA. Now, we are entering the industrialisation phase of our journey. With the backing of this fundraising effort and the support of both existing and new investors, our goal is to amplify our product offerings, expand within our current markets, and explore new markets.

Tamer El-Raghy, Managing Director of ARAF, adds: “We’re honoured to co-lead this investment round in IBISA with Equator and excited to partner with a world-class entrepreneur like Maria. African farmers are among the most negatively impacted by climate change and the need for low-cost parametric insurance products is a must-to-have for those farmers to be able to absorb a climate shock and IBISA’s cutting-edge technology helps developing low-cost insurance products for those farmers. This investment is an invaluable addition to ARAF’s portfolio and we look forward to supporting IBISA’s regional growth.

Nijhad Jamal, Managing Partner of Equator, explains: “Investing in IBISA aligns with our strategy to back innovative ventures providing critical climate adaptation products and services. IBISA’s technology and business model specifically enable it to scale access to a broad range of affordable parametric insurance products across emerging markets.”

Thitirat Sittakaradej of ADB Ventures states: “IBISA’s cutting-edge approach leverages satellite data analytics and advanced risk modelling to make parametric insurance accessible and affordable for climate-vulnerable communities. In Asia and the Pacific, where increasingly frequent climate events often go uninsured, there is a growing need for platforms like IBISA that deliver fit-for-purpose solutions designed to seamlessly integrate with distribution channels. We are excited to support IBISA in its mission to advance climate risk insurance, a crucial way of fostering meaningful climate resilience in the region.”

Ritu Verma, Managing Partner at Ankur Capital, explains: “It’s been an exciting journey working closely with IBISA over the last two years, as they leveraged their deep technical expertise in parametric insurance to scale their offerings and launch innovative new products to insure vulnerable communities and small businesses against adverse climate events. We look forward to continuing our support to IBISA’s vision of transforming climate insurance across Asia, Africa and the Pacific.”

The round was led by The Acumen

Agribusiness, Company News, Finance, Funding, India, Start ups

The funding round was led by Rainmatter, an investment initiative by Zerodha, known for funding and incubating climate and health startups with a total capital infusion of Rs 50 crore.

Two Brothers Organic Farms announced that the company has completed its Series-A funding round, raising Rs 58.25 crore. The company aims to utilise the funding to support its business growth in India and the United States, explore demand-side opportunities, and expand supply-side operations.

The funding round was led by Rainmatter, an investment initiative by Zerodha, known for funding and incubating climate and health startups with a total capital infusion of Rs 50 crore. Another prominent investor leading the funding round was Raju Chekuri, a notable Silicon Valley entrepreneur and founder of NetEnrich. Most participating investors were among Two Brothers Organic Farms’ long-standing consumers and active supporters of the brand’s efforts toward strengthening the organic farming community.

With the raised capital, Two Brothers Organic Farms aims to maintain a profitable growth trajectory and achieve a revenue of Rs 500 crore in the next four years. It also aims to support over 50,000 farmers in their journey towards sustainability. The company also plans to use the funds to explore more demand-side opportunities and expand its supply-side operations. This would help it scale growth and achieve the targeted revenue in the next four years.

This funding would help the company to strengthen its business operations and grow its market presence in India and the United States. This would also help it promote the widespread adoption of organic food.

“We are glad to have like-minded individuals and organisations participate in this fundraising effort, especially our lead investors Nithin Kamath of Zerodha and Raju Chekuri, who understand and support our vision for the organic food business in India and abroad. This substantial funding will empower us to cater to our consumers in India and help us assist Indian farmers in embracing organic farming practices.”, said Brothers and co-founding farmers, Satyajit Hange and Ajinkya Hange, said in a joint statement release.

The latest funding round also marks a milestone for the Two Brothers Organic Farms’ growth trajectory, following its successful Rs 14.5 crore pre-series A funding in April 2023, where Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and cricketer Virender Sehwag were key investors.

The funding round was led by Rainmatter,