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.
Onego Bio sues The Every Co, are food & ag giants sleepwalking into irrelevance? $50m for Nitricity, Saga Robotics 'bots in action, and more from MAHA
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The big news this week: Drama in the alt egg arena as Onego Bio took aim at The Every Co in an explosive lawsuit, plus a $50m raise for organic fertilizer co. Nitricity, which says its new plant in Delhi, CA, is already sold out until 2028. We also saw the official release of the MAHA report, prompting relief in some quarters and frustration in others with its emphasis on research over regulation. Elsewhere, Jenn Marston learned about a new partnership exploring nutrient density in regeneratively grown crops, while Elaine Watson headed to Santa Maria to see Saga Robotics' robots tackle powdery mildew at the Bien Nacido vineyard. There was also more news on the planet's most abundant protein (RuBisCO) with new developments from New Zealand-based Leaft Foods and South Africa-based Aspyre Foods. Finally, are food and ag giants "sleepwalking into irrelevance?" AgFunder partner Rob Leclerc sounds the alarm... Have a great weekend! Louisa, Elaine, and Jenn Meet us at upcoming events: London - We're hosting an exclusive breakfast for family offices, institutional investors, and corporates at the end of the month. Apply to attend here. Top 100 VC: AgFunder was recognized by TIME as one of America’s top 100 VC firms in 2025 More on our top-tier firm and upcoming opportunities here: AgFunder Fund V Is your business ready for AI analytics? Find out more here ‘Objectively unreasonable’: Onego Bio slams The Every Co in high-stakes patent fight According to Onego Bio, “Every’s demands for resolution have been objectively unreasonable and have included a proposed merger with Onego at a severe devaluation." Elaine Watson Nitricity bags $50m to meet surging demand for organic fertilizer from upcycled almond shells Set to become operational in Q1, 2026, output from Nitricity's new plant in Delhi, California, is sold out through 2028 under offtake agreements with local organic growers. Elaine Watson ROA and Edacious will test more than 200 products to drive further awareness of the health benefits of regenerative-organic certified products. Jennifer Marston Aspyre Foods taps duckweed for casein and RuBisCO: ‘We’re maximizing the biomass value’ Aspyre Foods is building a platform to turn duckweed into a biofactory for producing two highly functional food proteins: casein and RuBisCO. Elaine Watson The new Full Circle Biotechnology facility will supply Thai firms growing shrimp, snakehead, tilapia, swamp eel & butter catfish says the firm. Elaine Watson Leaft Foods takes RuBisCO protein to Japan with new partnership The partners are talking to several Japanese players in plant-based foods, bakery products, and sports nutrition categories. Elaine Watson Strauss Group launches ‘cow-free’ range featuring animal-free whey from Imagindairy The lactose-free products will be available in retailers across Israel in the coming weeks, with additional cow-free products to follow. Elaine Watson Argentina-based BioBlends taps bacterial VOCs for clean-label shelf-life extension in baked goods BioBlends is developing gas-based bio-preservatives using bacterial volatile compounds that can eliminate contaminating microorganisms in food. Elaine Watson Final MAHA report backs voluntary industry action over stricter rules on food, pesticides "The report has a lot of ideas for actions that really could improve health, but is short on specifics and weak on regulatory action,” says Prof. Marion Nestle. Catherine Boudreau PepsiCo, Mars, ADM team up for regenerative agriculture project in Poland The program will provide technical and financial assistance to farmers that incorporate regenerative agriculture practices into rotational agriculture. Jennifer Marston Plus: Scandinavia's first cultivated meat factory. Jennifer Marston Opinion: Food and agriculture giants are sleepwalking into irrelevance Food and agriculture are the largest sectors on Earth by employment and among the slowest to adopt digital tools. Rob Leclerc 🎥‘Like a Roomba for vineyards…’ Bien Nacido puts Saga Robotics’ UV-C robots to the test Vintners such as Bien Nacido currently fight powdery mildew with fungicides. But what if you could tackle the problem with light? Elaine Watson Farmers must look to additional projects like carbon markets to build stability in the face of climate change and uncertain policies. Jennifer Marston Guest article: The alt-meat industry’s biggest challenge isn’t taste or price, it’s inertia Alt meat's survival depends less on science and more on disrupting entrenched supply chains, consumer preferences, and institutional inertia. By guest contributor Christie Lagally Guest article: The innovation paradox holding back South Africa’s bioeconomy South Africa has no shortage of entrepreneurial talent. Yet startups struggle to scale innovations into impactful solutions, says Charles Reed. By guest contributor Charles Reed Join the 4th edition of ftalks Food Summit LATAM (Oct 6–9, Mexico City), led by KM ZERO! Under the theme ‘Tech for Food,' corporates, global food leaders, investors, startups, and institutions connect to spark business opportunities, collaborations, and investments shaping a sustainable, resilient agri-food system. Learn more here! The venture studio seeks to commercialize “breakthrough food technologies trapped in R&D labs, starting with those of European universities." Elaine Watson The merger is first and foremost about offering “superior product at scale,” says 80 Acres cofounder and CEO Mike Zelkind. Jennifer Marston Rich Products Ventures MD: ‘We have to get results, but we don’t have to answer to Wall Street’ Do corporate venture arms bring credibility and customers—or conflicts and constraints? And what role do they play in an investment landscape that looks markedly different than it did a few years ago? Elaine Watson How to make America healthy: the real problems — and best fixes Nature How a rural exodus stoked Europe’s deadly wildfires Financial Times Why Iowa chooses not to clean up its polluted water Bloomberg Cibus Capital’s blend of private equity and venture is bearing fruit AgTechNavigator Patagonia changed the apparel business. Can it change food, too? The New York Times As extreme weather increases flooding on farms, federal support for climate resilience evaporates Civil Eats Misinformation, fear and politics – how a South Dakota county drove away millions in solar energy The Guardian John Deere, a US icon, is undermined by tariffs and struggling farmers The New York Times Aussie cattle company unveils beef with unexpected benefit - Featuring CH4 Global! MSN MycoWorks reaches new milestone with the next iteration of fine mycelium - Featuring Mycoworks! Putting the needs of growers first in the world of vertical farming - Featuring IGS! Vertical Farm Daily 2025 Developing Markets AgriFoodTech Investment Report 2025 Global AgriFoodTech Investment Report 2024 Asia Pacific AgriFoodTech Investment Report 2024 Africa AgriFoodTech Investment Report 10 years in agrifoodtech: our exclusive 83-page e-zine! 2024 India AgriFoodTech Investment Report Climate Capital: Financing Adaptation Pathways for Smallholder Farmers Atinary Technologies (Waadt, Switzerland) Vac work, software engineer (intern) Aerobotics, Cape Town, South Africa Junior telecom infrastructure analyst Solinftec (Luís Eduardo Magalhães, Brazil) Business development, biochar Varaha (India) Sales development representative Hwy Haul (remote/hybrid, US) Head of growth (maternity cover) Modern Synthesis (London, UK) Klim (Berlin, Germany, remote) Future Fields (Edmonton, Canada) 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.
Alt dairy bidding war: Miyoko Schinner did not win her bid to reclaim the brand she built. However, the winning bidder may face challenges as it will own the trademark but not the license to use the founder's name or image... Also: Meati is “poised for growth" insists new owner Beyond Meat has "plenty of fight left" despite grim Q3 'Human-centered’ AI is top of mind for Foodora, says Jenn. Japan's agrifoodtech ecosystem is maturing, reveals Louisa. Do the economics of recombinant dairy stack...
Two scoops this week: A meltdown at alt-meat co Meati, which initiated mass layoffs blaming “financial holds on company accounts,” and news that bidders—including Miyoko Schinner—are circling the assets of alt-dairy brand Miyoko’s, which entered insolvency proceedings last month. There was also bad news from Danish insect ag firm ENORM, which was declared bankrupt, although fellow insect ag firm nextProtein raised new funds to scale production in Tunisia. Precision fermentation startup The...
This week, Bill Gates threw the cat amongst the pigeons... While climate change is serious, it will "not lead to humanity’s demise," said Gates; tackling poverty and disease are now higher on his agenda, according to a new essay. "Sometimes the world acts as if any effort to fight climate change is as worthwhile as any other. As a result, less-effective projects are diverting money and attention from efforts that will have more impact on the human condition." Elsewhere, Jenn Marston had a...