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.
Quercus raises $5m for designer proteins, Cargill’s corporate venture strategy, Upstream Bio's 'SwitchBlade' tech, Big Food adopts Big Tobacco playbook, livestock methane reduction
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: Quercus Biosolutions—a crop protection startup using AI to create designer proteins to tackle resistant weeds—raised a $5m seed round and gas fermentation specialist Calysta is urgently seeking new funds after its joint venture partner said it was ending financial support. Elsewhere, we caught up with Erin VanLanduit, head of corporate ventures at Cargill, to discuss what corporates can bring to the agrifoodtech funding ecosystem and where Cargill is preparing to place its next bets. Plus:
And finally… Natural astaxanthin has historically been produced by photosynthetic microalgae in open ponds or bioreactors. Could a fermented version give it a run for its money? Have a great week! Louisa, Jenn, and Elaine “What excites us is that they have built a platform with the potential to generate multiple product opportunities," says Flyover Capital. Elaine Watson Exclusive: Calysta hires new CEO, seeks new capital as JV partner ends financial support The Calysta/Adisseo China JV “urgently requires substantial and sustainable financial support to complete technical upgrades." Elaine Watson Upstream Biotechnology raises seed funding for ‘on-demand’ crop defense tech Stress-inducible gene-regulation tech can improve disease resistance without imposing yield penalties, claims the firm. Elaine Watson Cargill Ventures eyes renewed dealmaking as agrifoodtech resets Erin VanLanduit: "We're getting to a really interesting and exciting place where I think you're going to see activity start to pick up again." Elaine Watson Weed control, disease, and drainage are top pain points for farmers in 2026, says Grand Farm The US-based agtech innovation hub is rolling out Phase II of its campus for testing new technologies on the farm. Jennifer Marston Big Food headed the way of Big Tobacco as lawsuits against public health policies increase Can dark fermentation reshape the natural astaxanthin market? Natural astaxanthin is typically produced in open ponds or photobioreactors. Could a fermented version give it a run for its money? Elaine Watson Orbem begins US rollout of MRI-based in-ovo sexing tech Orbem has begun operating its first MRI-based in-ovo sexing system in the US, and expects a second installation to go live in mid-August. Elaine Watson USA Drone Motors emerges from stealth to target gap in domestic drone supply chain Drone makers are trying to reshore production in the US but remained heavily dependent on overseas suppliers for key components. Elaine Watson Livestock methane reduction: Brazilian beef pilot generates first inset credits Rather than buying carbon offsets from projects outside their value chains, food companies are increasingly looking to purchase insets. Elaine Watson AgriFood Signals: Wild Bio acquires F1 Seed, ADM Capital raises $48m Plus: BASF starts global registration of new herbicide. Jennifer Marston From practices to proof: What credible farm-level sustainability measurement requires Corporate commitments to regenerative ag are becoming more common, but evidence of measurable outcomes is not keeping pace. Sponsored post Guest article: Every transformative agriculture technology becomes an infrastructure story The big barrier to resilient, economically sound agriculture isn't scientific discovery but a lack of mission-driven public infrastructure. By guest contributor Gabe Youtsey UPSIDE’s $50m bid may not be final word on Believer Meats plant as auction deadline shifts US receiver: “Numerous discussions have occurred with interested parties and multiple parties have visited the facility.” Elaine Watson Moa Technology raises $30m to advance novel modes of action in weed management The firm has discovered 80+ novel modes of action areas for controlling weeds. Jennifer Marston Self-GRAS proposal now expected in December; new description has ‘significant changes,’ says expert A final rule is unlikely before late 2028 or 2029, "particularly given the legal challenges that are virtually certain to follow," says attorney. Elaine Watson
Nutrition experts urge scientific validation of AI-generated ingredient innovations - Featuring Brightseed! Nutrition Insight DeHaat's FreshTrop reinforces farmer trust through ‘Aabhar Yojana’ - Featuring DeHaat! Agro Spectrum
A healthier global diet could cut farm emissions by 85% Science Daily 2026 Q2 agtech venture capital investment and exit round up CropLife CNN What the Cyclospora outbreak says about the food safety system Civil Eats Messy job: Why AI won't replace the farmer 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 Klim (remote/Hungary) Aquaculture tech support specialist Tepbac (Can Gio District, Vietnam) IT admin Varaha (Gurgaon Haryana, India) Future leader of farm operations Eratani (Indonesia) Field tech - south Brittany/Morbihan phagos (remote/Le Mans, France) HR lead Faeth Therapeutics (remote/USA) Financial controller, biomanufacturing Future Fields (Alberta, Canada) ♥️ 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. This week, Elaine caught up with David Protein founder Peter Rahal after his $250m Series B and took a deep dive into ag robotics at Reservoir Farms to learn how startups are starting to build more flexible 'bots, more quickly. Elsewhere, Jenn quizzed PepsiCo on how to support the next generation of farmers. Plus: David Protein: Medici...
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, UPSIDE Foods terminated its $50 million bid for Believer Meats' US cultivated meat facility but says it “remains interested” in the site. Elsewhere, TerraBlaster—a startup using tech first deployed on the Mars rover to determine levels of key nutrients in the soil—raised a $12.5 million seed round as it gears up for...
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: Single-cell protein has attracted growing interest as an efficient way to produce protein, but many startups have struggled to scale. dsm-firmenich is betting that an optimized yeast strain, low-cost feedstocks, and superior yield and productivity can close the gap. Elsewhere, gene editing is rapidly expanding beyond row...