This week, BinSentry raised a cool $50 million for its feed management tech, Hyphen bagged $25 million for its automated makelines, Saga Robotics netted $11.2 million to expand its fleet of ‘bots blasting powdery mildew with UV-C light, and Seadling launched a second facility for producing seaweed-based functional ingredients.

Elsewhere, is RuBisCO, the most abundant protein on the planet, finally ready for prime time? We grilled Leaft and Plantible: two key players attempting to turn the holy grail of plant proteins into a household name.

Plus... Is "regenerative ag" a helpful term? Jenn Marston spoke to New Zealand-based Atkins Ranch to explore how it uses tech to improve its regen practices, and how to talk to farmers about soil health... before mentioning the "r" word.

Finally, Elaine Watson caught up with Bactolife, a Danish startup on a mission to unlock a novel category of gut health ingredients: binding proteins, and Meatly, a UK startup which has set out to prove—on a shoestring—that the unit economics can add up for cultivated meat, starting with petfood.

Have a great weekend! Louisa, Elaine, and Jenn

❤️ AgFunder and agrifoodtech?

The waitlist for AgFunder's Fund V opens soon

Is your business ready for AI analytics? Find out more here

BinSentry to expand globally with AI-based feed logistics platform after $50m raise

“We’ve been at least doubling every year for the last three. We’ve also seen pretty aggressive gross margin accretion," says CEO Ben Allen. Jennifer Marston

Saga Robotics raises $11.2m to expand fleet of ‘bots blasting powdery mildew with UV-C light

Saga Robotics aims to triple its footprint in US vineyards and increase its penetration of the UK tabletop strawberry market to 30% next year. Elaine Watson

The planet’s most abundant protein is ready for prime time, says Leaft Foods

Right now, says Leaft Foods CEO Ross Milne, most people do not know anything about Rubisco. But that is all about to change. "People will refer to Rubisco just like we refer to whey protein today.” Elaine Watson

Duckweed to dollars: Plantible Foods now ‘fully operational’ at Texas Rubisco plant, seeks funding to triple capacity

The company, which closed a $30m Series B last year, is now working on securing additional financing to triple capacity at the site. Elaine Watson

Beyond ‘biotics: Bactolife plans US debut with intriguing new approach to gut health

Binding proteins neutralize unhealthy microbes in the gut without disrupting the microbiome. Elaine Watson

On the heels of a capital raise, biotech co Seadling launches Malaysia facility for functional seaweed ingredients - AgFunder portfolio co!

The end product (dried, milled, and packaged seaweed) is currently incorporated into pet food products. Jennifer Marston

Prefer raises $4.2m, launches soluble bean-free coffee and cocoa extenders

"The sustainability story is a bonus, " says Prefer CEO Jake Berber. "But really we're talking about reducing costs and maintaining flavor." Elaine Watson

Breakthrough Institute unveils ‘policy roadmap for American agricultural dominance’

“Though the US has historically been a global leader in agricultural biotech, we are falling behind,” says The Breakthrough Institute. Elaine Watson

Cultivated fish co UMAMI Bioworks unveils marine bioactives: ‘We focus resources where we can create near-term commercial traction’

The global PDRN market is growing rapidly, driven by demand in regenerative medicine, aesthetics, and skincare with high double-digit CAGR in Asia-Pacific, says UMAMI Bioworks. Elaine Watson

The Week in AgriFoodTech: Zepto and Hyphen raise funds, Proterra acquires AcreTrader, ex-eFishery CEO detained

Plus... Indoor farming startup Vertical Future entered administration. Jennifer Marston

At Atkins Ranch, raising lambs with regenerative tactics puts more cash back into farmers' pockets

CEO Pat Maher discusses the role of technology in regen ag, current challenges, and what's next for the New Zealand company. Jennifer Marston

Meatly CEO on cultivated petfood: ‘We want to prove this can be mass market”

While investor sentiment has soured on cultivated meat, Meatly has set out to prove—on a shoestring—that the unit economics can add up. Elaine Watson

Webinar: Advancing agtech with satellite connectivity

How does satellite connectivity bridge the digital divide in remote areas, enabling data transmission from even the most rugged environments? Join Globalstar, Spotter, and AgFunder at 10am EST on August 20 for an exclusive look at how satellite connectivity can assist with livestock and remote asset tracking, environmental sensing, smart irrigation, and logistics management with a special case study in Central Asia equine management.

Find out more and register here!

Bayer 'turning over every stone' to 'significantly contain' glyphosate litigation

Crop science giant Bayer says it has settled 17,000 glyphosate cases so far and hopes for a supreme court ruling next year. Jennifer Marston

Fresh Del Monte ramps up defenses as disease threatens world banana crops

Fresh Del Monte has been collaborating with the Queensland University of Technology and Tropic on gene edited bananas resistant to devastating fungal disease TR4. Elaine Watson

v2food CEO on entering the US via the Daring Foods acquisition: “It’s one of the few brands that’s growing”

Under the deal, Daring Foods will continue to operate under its own brand in the US while serving as a platform for v2food to launch products. Elaine Watson