AgriFoodTech Weekly Update: Remora Robotics secures $16 million investment, Big Idea Ventures introduces new cohort, Austria contemplates ban on cultivated meat
Global Agricultural Technology Advances with Key Collaborations and Investments
The world of agricultural technology is buzzing with activity, as partnerships and collaborations focus on enhancing biologicals, digital agriculture, and controlled environment agriculture (CEA). Here are some of the latest developments:
Executive Changes
FMC Corporation has appointed Brian P. Angeli as President of North America for Global Agriculture, marking a new leadership role within the company.
Bayer AG has extended the contract of its CEO, Bill Anderson, signifying continued commitment to the company's agtech strategy.
Investments and Partnerships
Remora Robotics, an AI-based net-cleaning company, has secured €13.9 million to scale its operations, demonstrating the growing interest in automation and technology in the fishing industry.
Misfits Market has launched a household goods category, indicating the expansion of its business beyond just produce.
DENSO has acquired Axia Vegetable Seeds to advance its agri-tech strategy, signifying a move into the seed industry.
Spearhead Bio has been awarded an NSF Tech Transfer Grant to accelerate the development of improved corn varieties.
Collaborative Efforts
Bayer and Kimitec have launched next-generation biological products (Ambition Complete Gen2 and Secure Gen2), enhancing nutrient assimilation and sustainability in crops.
Symbiomics received a strategic Series A investment from Corteva via its Catalyst platform, marking a significant partnership to boost biological agricultural solutions.
Biome Makers partnered with AgList to provide science-validated testing transparency for biological products, improving farmer decision-making by integrating trial results into AgList’s platform.
AMVAC and DPH Biologicals expanded market reach through a distribution deal to promote novel biological crop protection and fertility products in the U.S.
In digital agriculture, partnerships continue to integrate sensors, AI, big data, and robotics for precision farming. The Climate Corporation (Monsanto/Bayer) collaborates with NOAA and USDA to deliver weather-based decision support tools, while FieldView and Granular tie university research to on-farm data for optimized management.
Investments and partnerships in IoT infrastructure and automation continue to grow. Emergent Connext raised $5 million to expand rural IoT, Topcon Agriculture introduced improved spraying precision tech, and AgEagle Aerial Systems supplied imaging drones for sustainability-focused crop management in Brazil.
Controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming are strengthening with new podcast series educating producers, as well as innovations from companies like ISI Farmer, Artechno, and Hort Americas. Collaborative investments and acquisitions by firms such as Growcer, DENSO, and Miraterra emphasize vertical integration and soil health analytics.
Major partnership activity also includes the combination of AI, satellite imagery, and microbial nitrogen delivery led by Planet Labs, Farmdar, and Pivot Bio. Smallholder-support programs like Bayan-Mayani’s cooperative rural initiative with HSBC Philippines further illustrate social sustainability efforts in agtech.
Regulatory Developments
The USDA has cancelled more support for Regional Food Systems, raising concerns about the future of local food systems.
Austria has presented a petition to ban cultivated meat at the European Parliament, sparking debate about the future of alternative proteins.
The FDA plans to revoke 52 obsolete Standards of Identity for food products, signifying a move towards more flexible food labelling.
Further Developments
Big Idea Ventures has announced its new cohort for its Global Food Innovation Fund II, showcasing the latest innovative startups in the foodtech sector.
Acre Venture Partners has invested in GenAI for product development (NPD) in the CPG industry, stating that the technology will become 'core to commercialization'.
Lo! Foods has raised $3.5m in funding, signifying continued interest in plant-based proteins.
Solar Foods has signed an LOI to supply up to 1,650 tons of Solein protein annually for the health and performance market, demonstrating the potential of lab-grown proteins.
The EU Commission has proposed banning meat-like terms on plant-based labels, sparking debate about the future of plant-based product marketing.
ODOS, a Spanish startup, has raised €680k for its data-collection platform in the agri-food sector, highlighting the growing importance of data in agricultural decision-making.
Skittles maker Mars is being investigated in Texas for failing to remove artificial food dyes, raising questions about food safety regulations.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund has sued the USDA for records over 'misleading' Beef Checkoff environmental claims, highlighting concerns about the accuracy of food marketing claims.
McDonald's Austria has removed the McPlant from its menu due to a decline in consumer interest, signifying a potential shift in consumer preferences towards plant-based options.
Eclipse Ingredients has secured funding for its capital-light approach to making human lactoferrin, demonstrating the potential of biotechnology in the food industry.
BiomEdit, a company that designs probiotics, has raised $18.4m in Series B funding, indicating a growing interest in probiotics and microbiome research.
Puna Bio has received an investment from the Gates Foundation to bring extremophile-based ag biologicals to Africa, signifying a move towards more sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.
Lastly, Trump has nominated Callahan for U.S. Trade Representative's chief ag negotiator, signifying a potential shift in U.S. agricultural trade policy.
These developments highlight a dynamic and evolving agricultural technology landscape, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and consumer preferences.
- The shift in technology is not limited to agricultural practices, as education-and-self-development platforms are integrating AI and big data for personalized learning experiences.
- General news outlets continue to cover advancements in technology, ensuring that both agricultural and personal development innovations are widely disseminated.
