Ag robotics funding slides, Stockeld Dreamery calls it quits, MATR's big raise, what's next for bioherbicides and animal-free dairy?

This week: a mixed bag for alt protein. Plant-based cheesemaker Stockeld Dreamery called it quits, while MATR Foods secured new funds to expand its minimally processed meat alternatives, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office teamed up with The EVERY Company and Vivici to explore a 4-million-liter facility for alt protein production in the UAE.

Elsewhere, Jenn Marston examined the current state of the bioherbicide market and checked in on Q3 funding for ag robotics, while Elaine Watson caught up with Symbiotec to learn how new state-of-the-art capacity in India could help firms cross the valley of death in biomanufacturing.

Meanwhile, AgZen gave us the lowdown on its partnership with Corteva, and SOSV’s Po Bronson discussed the agrifoodtech venture downturn, "non-rigorous thinking," and "weapons of mass dilution."

For the visually inclined, check out our latest videos from Future Food-Tech with Eden Brew on the next frontier for animal-free dairy, and Solar Foods on the economics of gas fermentation.

Finally, rest in peace the brilliant and indomitable Irina Gerry, who made the world—and social media—a better place with her passion and thought leadership in agrifood. She will be sorely missed.

Have a great week! Louisa, Jenn, and Elaine...

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Plant-based cheese startup Stockeld Dreamery shutters as flexitarian dream fizzles

The hoped-for surge in interest from flexitarians failed to materialize, says CEO Sorosh Tavakoli. Elaine Watson

Breaking: Vivici and The Every Co explore 4m-liter alt protein facility in UAE

“The emirate provides a unique combination of capital, talent and infrastructure that enables rapid growth," says Vivici. Elaine Watson

Farm robotics in the weeds as funding declines 36% from Q2 to Q3

Despite VC funding declines, growing consensus is that robotics and automation are "integral to modern agriculture." Jennifer Marston

Making every drop count: AgZen partners with Corteva to redefine spray efficiency

Beyond the immediate benefits of helping farmers spray more effectively, AgZen can help the wider industry understand how droplet coverage and lifetime relate to the efficacy of every chemical input used on-farm, it claims. Elaine Watson

Armed with $47m, MATR Foods to scale next generation of alt meat via solid-state fermentation

The capital will fund a 4,000-ton plant in Jutland that’s expected to come online in 2027, says MATR Foods cofounder Randi Wahlsten. Elaine Watson

🎥 Solar Foods CEO on scaling up protein from thin air: ‘We have MOUs and LOIs for more than 50% of new factory already’

The selling price will be "in line with the market price of whey protein isolate and concentrate,” says Solar Foods. Elaine Watson

Another $14m unlocked for Africa's smallholders as part of $200m private-sector finance initiative

The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program has announced the first capital allocation to the African Development Bank. Jennifer Marston

The Week in AgriFoodTech: Bezos Earth Fund sets up $30m AI ‘challenge,’ Nutropy nets $8m

Plus: The EU makes a U-turn on its deforestation U-turn. Jennifer Marston

Where’s the progress in bioherbicide development? Industry players weigh in

Growth in bioherbicides lags behind other areas in the ag biologicals space such as biopesticides and biofertilizers. Why? Jennifer Marston

Po Bronson on surviving the agrifoodtech venture downturn, ‘non-rigorous thinking,’ and ‘weapons of mass dilution’

'I tell every one of my startups, get out of VC world as fast as you can. It's the most expensive capital in the world,' says IndieBio SF's managing director. Elaine Watson

🎥The next frontier for animal-free dairy? ‘Slow-release’ mineral delivery, says Eden Brew

Eden Brew—like many players in the animal-free dairy space—has tweaked its strategy to focus on higher-value markets for its initial launch. Elaine Watson

Biomanufacturing’s valley of death has a new bridge in India, says Symbiotec

Scaling up biomanufacturing is daunting, says Symbiotec. But new capacity it is bringing online can help startups cross the valley of death. Elaine Watson

'Control of production is more important than loosely based label claims,' says Nebraska beef producer

For Blake Albers, being able to show exactly where a product comes from is as important as any sustainability certification. Jennifer Marston

Corteva’s planned separation raises questions about AI and data split

As the ag giant prepares to separate, questions remain about what happens to years of integrated digital and AI infrastructure investment. Louisa Burwood-Taylor

Rockstart’s Mark Durno on agrifoodtech’s next chapter: ‘Quality deals with defensible valuations’

"If pension funds and institutional funds who have got long term perspectives are not invested in early stage now, there will be no growth stage companies," says Durno. Elaine Watson

South African insect ag co Inseco calls it quits amid power cuts, pivots: ‘We ran out of time’

Inseco was hit by “recurring 4-hour power outages that went on for several months,” says cofounder and CEO Simon Hazell. Elaine Watson