AgFunderNews reports on the evolution of the global food and agriculture system. By going beyond the headlines, we analyze the people, companies and technologies aiming to improve human and planetary health. Publishing daily, our team of award-winning journalists delivers deeper insight on the growing foodtech, agtech and climate tech industries. A multimedia publication, AgFunderNews is a division of AgFunder, one of the world’s most active agrifoodtech venture capital firms.
Are carbon markets broken? David Protein's explosive growth, Pentasweet bets on brazzein, Planetary nets $28m, latest alt protein data, ag robotics
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This Earth week: Advocates see carbon markets as a cost-effective way to offset emissions. Critics see a plethora of quality and integrity issues, arguing that carbon markets are often more “smoke and mirrors” than a climate solution. Jenn takes a deep dive. Elsewhere, David Protein CEO Peter Rahal—who predicts revenues “north of $300m” in 2026—tells Elaine he's ready to supply alt-fat EPG to large CPG companies, while former customers are still suing over lost access. Plus:
And finally... Elaine catches up with Planetary, which has just raised $28m to scale its mycoprotein fermentation tech. The strong interest in the round “underscores a clear market shift,” claims CEO David Brandes: “Category leaders controlling the full value chain are emerging as the winners.” Have a fantastic week! Louisa, Jenn, and Elaine And a big thanks to this week's sponsors: What’s next for carbon markets? Maturity signals or ‘medieval indulgences’ On the heels of Microsoft's decision to pause carbon removal purchases, the industry weighs in on the sector's future. Jennifer Marston "We've expanded EPG capacity to the point where we're going to go out and look for commercial partners," says Peter Rahal. Elaine Watson Pentasweet breaks ground on $76m precision fermentation facility for brazzein Sweet proteins such as brazzein add an exciting new dimension to the sugar-reduction toolbox, claims the firm. Elaine Watson SentiaNova emerges from stealth to tackle plant protein’s taste problem “We de-flavor plant-derived proteins, but we’re not masking off flavors; we’re taking them out," says cofounder Roi Wurgaft. Elaine Watson Funding dip for alt protein fermentation signals shift from promise to proof Some say biomanufacturing only makes economic sense for high-value ingredients. Enabling tech could change the game, says the GFI. Elaine Watson US alt-meat slump continues, but plant protein gains traction in beverages – GFI US retail sales of plant-based meat & seafood fell 10% to $1bn in 2025, while sales of plant-based milk fell 2% to $2.7 billion, says the GFI. Elaine Watson Nestlé is investing in the long-term health of its supply base. Jennifer Marston Solinftec’s self-refilling spray robots close the loop on 24:7 autonomy on the farm - AgFunder portfolio co! When the 'bot is running out of product, it goes to the docking station, connects itself, refills, and goes back to work. Elaine Watson Planetary nets $28m to scale fermentation infrastructure and licensing platform "Raising capital outside AI and defense requires far more focus and resilience than it did just a few years ago," says CEO David Brandes. Elaine Watson "AI identifies which weeds to target and how, in the way an experienced farmer would in real time," says CEO Liron Cohen Yanay. Elaine Watson Guest article: Physical AI isn’t replacing farmers. It’s critical for keeping them in business Dealer networks are key to restoring American agriculture and rural communities. By guest contributors Tim Bucher and Dr. M. Brett McMickell AgriFood Signals: USDA & Palantir deal, fresh funding for Afresh, Amazon’s $30m carbon credit deal Plus: AI agents clean up "messy" sustainability data. Jennifer Marston The Future Food & Agriculture Leadership Program, developed by INSEAD in partnership with Agrohub, is for senior executives across agrifood. Designed for leaders already operating at scale, the program prepares participants to take on CEO, COO, and board-level roles by strengthening strategic thinking, enterprise-wide decision-making, and succession readiness. The program combines advanced leadership development with insights into global market dynamics, digital transformation, and sustainability, while fostering a high-level international peer network. Applications are now open until June 1. To learn more, contact program manager Bogdan Popovich at bp@agrohub.org Exclusive: Monarch Tractor CEO—‘We should have pivoted harder and faster’ While some dealers allege the tractors were “defective,” Penmetsa insists that the tech delivered, but the firm’s business model did not. Elaine Watson 🎥 Polybee scales physical AI agents for “immediate, bankable ROI” in specialty crops "Where our recommendations are followed, our customers have walked away with at least 10-15% higher yield" says Siddharth Jadhav. Elaine Watson Patagonia and Rodale Institute to transition California county to regen ag The funding will enable Rodale Institute to provide farmers with technical assistance and business planning. Jennifer Marston Get Good with AI > human-led masterclasses and 6 week cohorts “Like a huge career accelerator.” Ben, Cien and Henry - our friends at Good with AI - are inviting the Agfunder community to join their upcoming masterclasses: Claude, Copilot, Gemini, AI for startups, finance, and charities. Or go deeper with our next full cohort. AgFunderNews readers get £50 off Cohort 12 (May 5) and Cohort 13 (May 13) with code AGFUNDER. 👉 Learn more about upcoming Good with AI masterclasses and cohorts.
Food Business News Viewpoint: Multiple facets converging in ag’s fertilizer crisis Ag Daily The AI that wanted to taste your food just proved it can't beat guessing Typeo.ai CEA map CEA Signals AgriTech could add $90 billion to Southeast Asia’s GDP by 2033: Report The Economic Times ‘I don’t go out’: Vermont’s undocumented dairy workers live in fear after immigration raids The Guardian AI’s role in grocery so far this year Grocery Dive Why some European farmers are immune to the fertilizer crisis Euronews
Fable brings its whole food shiitake mushroom range to Waitrose nationwide - Featuring Fable Food! Vegconomist Organoid farm succeeds in 200l cultivation demonstration for cell-cultured beef, plans new facility in 2028 - Featuring IntegriCulture! FoovoBridge NEW! 2026 Global AgriFoodTech Investment Report 2025 Developing Markets AgriFoodTech Investment Report 2025 Global AgriFoodTech Investment Report 10 years in agrifoodtech: an 83-page e-zine Climate Capital: Financing Adaptation Pathways for Smallholder Farmers Resurrect Bio (London, UK) Leader candidate, production development department IntegriCulture (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) Varaha (Hyderabad, India) GreenLight Biosciences (Iberia) Eratani (Jakarta, Indonesia) Working student, soil and crop modeling Klim (Berlin, Germany) ♥️ our newsletter? Forward to a friend or subscribe here |
AgFunderNews
AgFunderNews reports on the evolution of the global food and agriculture system. By going beyond the headlines, we analyze the people, companies and technologies aiming to improve human and planetary health. Publishing daily, our team of award-winning journalists delivers deeper insight on the growing foodtech, agtech and climate tech industries. A multimedia publication, AgFunderNews is a division of AgFunder, one of the world’s most active agrifoodtech venture capital firms.
Express interest in investing in Fund V. AgFunder is a top 100 VC, according to TIME and Statista. Is your business ready for AI analytics? Find out more here. In a space where drawn-out IP battles can derail fundraising and spook potential partners, the legal spat between Onego Bio and The EVERY Co is attracting intense interest. This week, EVERY won the first round, but Onego Bio says the fight is only just beginning. Elsewhere, investment is starting to follow deeptech startups into...
Express interest in investing in Fund V. AgFunder is a top 100 VC, according to TIME and Statista. Is your business ready for AI analytics? Find out more here. In a space where drawn-out IP battles can derail fundraising and spook potential partners, the legal spat between Onego Bio and The EVERY Co is attracting intense interest. This week, EVERY won the first round, but Onego Bio says the fight is only just beginning. Elsewhere, investment is starting to follow deeptech startups into...
Express interest in investing in Fund V. AgFunder is a top 100 VC, according to TIME and Statista. Is your business ready for AI analytics? Find out more here. This week: With glyphosate in the spotlight at the Supreme Court, Pam Marrone unpacks a new generation of bioherbicides she reckons could give RoundUp a run for its money and Dan Blaustein-Rejto explains why the way beyond glyphosate "is not to wish it away; it is to outperform it." Elsewhere, Farmland rental startup Tillable is no...