Good morning growers,

This week showcases strong activity across AgTech, biologicals, automation, and controlled environment agriculture. Companies are announcing new funding rounds, product launches, platform integrations, and strategic partnerships — from novel bio-fungicides and biostimulants to autonomous vehicles, irrigation–agronomy integrations, and next-generation nitrogen solutions.

We’re also seeing major developments in CEA scholarships, digital connectivity infrastructure, regenerative crop protection, and expanded financing for agribusiness and women-led MSMEs. With continued investment and technology rollouts across equipment, inputs, and data intelligence, the sector remains highly dynamic across the entire value chain.

And, a warm welcome to our new iGrow Network members. We’re glad to have you on board and look forward to keeping you updated on the latest innovations, opportunities, and trends in AgTech. Not a member yet? Register now to join the network!

A quick reminder — next week, Wednesday, Nov 26, 05:45 PM–06:45 PM CET / 11:45 AM–12:45 PM EST, we’re hosting a hands-on session on GTM and marketing in AgTech. We’ll share what really works, how to craft messages that resonate, and practical lessons from the field. Come as you are, bring your questions, and let’s learn together!

Estimated Reading Time: 8 - 10 minutes

OUR LATEST AGTECH INTELLIGENCE DASHBOARD SNAPSHOT

Agritechnica Sparks a Surge in AI-Driven and Autonomous Farm Technologies

Recent agtech launches show accelerating momentum in automation, AI-powered precision, and connected field operations, with Agritechnica 2025 acting as a major showcase for next-generation innovations. Case IH unveiled upgraded tractors, advanced sprayer platforms, and a breakthrough AI-driven parts search tool that allows operators to identify components instantly via photo recognition. New Holland added further weight to this trend with premium specialty tractors, its autonomous R4 robot series, upgraded CX PLMi combines with enhanced digital integration, and its own AI visual parts-search feature on myCNHstore. FieldBee’s Vision auto-steering system and CNH’s FLEETPRO aftermarket line also debuted at the show, reinforcing Agritechnica’s role as a launchpad for increasingly intelligent, interconnected equipment ecosystems.

Across the broader market, innovation continues to accelerate in biological inputs, drones, and digital platforms. Pivot Bio, Corteva, and Kemin are delivering new microbial and nutrient-efficiency solutions, while DJI and Hylio expand their high-capacity drone fleets for spraying and field monitoring. Connectivity and data integration remain central themes, highlighted by eX² Technology’s new wireless network covering 160,000 acres of farmland and Syngenta’s open Cropwise platform. These combined advances—show-floor breakthroughs plus global product launches—reflect the industry’s push toward smarter, automated, and seamlessly connected farming. They’re exactly the trends our dashboard tracks in real time to keep users ahead of what’s next in agtech.

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🎧 Prefer listening over reading?

Catch the full recap on this week’s AgTech Digest Podcast—available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

AGTECH
Funding, Partnerships, and Product Updates in AgTech

Oyster Bay Venture Capital Closes €100M+ Fund II for Food System Innovation – Oyster Bay VC has closed its second fund above €100 million to back early-stage solutions across the food value chain. The fund builds on its top-decile first fund, with investments including goodBytz, Nukoko, Arda Biomaterials, and seedalive GmbH.

Atrium Agri and VEK Adviesgroep End Partnership for Independent Operation – Atrium Agri has concluded its partnership with VEK Adviesgroep, returning full ownership to its founders. The separation supports VEK’s independent advisory focus in greenhouse horticulture while allowing continued collaboration on joint client projects.

Voltrac Raises €7M to Scale Autonomous Thor UGV – Voltrac secured €7 million in seed funding led by Extantia to scale production of its autonomous Thor UGV to 100 units per year by 2026. The vehicle features 70% fewer components and enables one operator to manage multiple units, with additional testing planned in logistics applications.

Tractor Junction Secures $22.6M Series A to Expand Rural Auto-Fintech Platform – Tractor Junction raised $22.6 million, led by Astanor, to grow its rural vehicle marketplace and finance services. The platform has seen 13× revenue growth and its fintech arm has issued over $180 million in loans to rural customers.

Ceres AI Raises $13M to Advance Agricultural Intelligence Layer – Ceres AI closed a $13 million round led by Remus Capital to expand its data platform covering 40 crops and 17 billion measurements. The funding supports development of an intelligence layer for agribusiness, with new board participation from Remus and AI agent Arista.

PLANT SCIENCE
New Biologicals, Partnerships, and Product Launches for Plant Science

Pivot Bio Launches Dry Planter Box Nitrogen Products for 2026 Season – Pivot Bio introduced PROVEN® G3 Dry for corn and CERT-N™ Dry for cotton, delivering nitrogen-fixing microbes at planting. Early data shows consistent yield gains and up to 20% nitrogen replacement, supported by a new performance data hub, PROVENit.

Amoéba and Syngenta Partner on Amoeba-Derived Bio-Fungicide for Cereals – Amoéba and Syngenta are co-developing a bio-fungicide based on Willaertia magna lysate to target wheat diseases in the EU and UK. The active substance received EU approval in 2025, with full product authorizations and a distribution agreement expected by 2026.

Valent BioSciences and Seipasa Introduce Sweetsei™ Biostimulant in the U.S. – Valent BioSciences has partnered with Seipasa to bring the Sweetsei™ biostimulant to U.S. specialty crop growers. The collaboration supports Valent’s expanding biologicals portfolio and aligns with rising demand for sustainable, science-driven crop inputs.

Biocentis Raises $19M to Advance Biological Insect-Control Platform – Biocentis secured $19 million in seed funding and a Wellcome grant to scale its genome-engineered, AI-enabled pest control technology. The investment will support field trials for mosquito and fruit fly solutions across the U.S., Brazil, and additional markets.

FA Bio and Bayer Launch PoC Program for Fungal Bioinsecticides in Oilseed Rape – FA Bio and Bayer, co-sponsored by EIT Food, have initiated a proof-of-concept program to develop fungal bioinsecticides targeting Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle. The effort will validate soil-native fungal candidates and application methods for regenerative crop protection.

CEA
New Funding and Program in CEA

Indoor Ag-Con and Sollum Relaunch 2026 Scholarship for CEA Students – Indoor Ag-Con and Sollum Technologies have reopened the Sollum Student Scholarship for 2026, offering a fully funded trip to the Las Vegas conference for doctoral students in controlled environment agriculture. The program covers travel, lodging, per diem, and conference access, with applications open in the U.S. and Canada until December 19, 2025.

UbiQD Secures $6M Debt Financing to Expand Manufacturing Capacity – UbiQD has obtained $6 million in debt financing from Silicon Valley Bank to scale its manufacturing and infrastructure for agricultural and solar applications. The agreement follows its $20 million Series B round and includes the appointment of Tony Beams as CFO to support continued growth and commercialization.

OTHER NEWS
Other Updates: New Funding Round, New Initiative & More!

The African Development Bank approved $310 million for FirstRand Bank to increase financing for MSMEs, with over one-third earmarked for women-led and agricultural enterprises. The package includes MSME, gender-focused, and concessional credit lines, along with technical assistance to improve financial inclusion and enterprise bankability.

Flocean has expanded its Series A round to $22.5 million, adding Xylem Inc. as a new strategic investor. Funding will support the launch of Flocean One, the first commercial subsea desalination plant, set to begin operating in 2026. The company signed an agreement with Alver Municipality to explore integrating Flocean’s desalinated water into local industrial and municipal systems.

Verde AgriTech has signed an exclusive agreement with UNDO Carbon to develop and commercialize carbon removal credits through Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) in Brazil. The partnership leverages Verde’s glauconitic siltstone and agricultural operations with UNDO’s ERW measurement and verification expertise. The collaboration could enable the removal of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO₂.

Rhizocore raised £4.5M to expand production of its fungal-based forestry technology. The round was led by The First Thirty with participation from Scottish Enterprise and existing customer The Grosvenor Estate. The company’s RhizoPellets™ have delivered significant improvements in tree growth and survival rates.

ChrysaLabs has been officially validated by Bureau Veritas North America as compliant with Verra’s VM0042 v2.1 methodology. The validation confirms that ChrysaLabs’ proximal sensing approach meets international standards for soil organic carbon (SOC) measurement. This milestone enables lower-cost, scalable, Verra-aligned soil carbon data for carbon project developers.

Upcoming AgTech Events

World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit Dubai | December 8 - 9, 2025

Agri Expo International Exhibition & Conference for Agriculture Supplies

Indoor Ag-Con | February 11-12, 2026 | Las Vegas, USA

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