Good morning growers,

From fresh funding to tough market exits, this week’s edition captures the full spectrum of developments shaping plant science and AgTech. Companies like Kula Bio, Ginkgo Bioworks, Pairwise, Arevo, and Nufarm are driving innovation through new capital, partnerships, and technology launches — even as parts of the CEA sector face continued financial headwinds.

We’re also spotlighting how AgSTEP is redefining agricultural education in California and tracking new investments across AI, biologicals, and regenerative agriculture.

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!

Estimated Reading Time: 8 - 10 minutes

OUR LATEST AGTECH INTELLIGENCE DASHBOARD SNAPSHOT

A Look Into This Year’s Bankruptcies

Bankruptcies in the AgTech and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) sectors have accelerated throughout 2025, with notable shutdowns spanning vertical farming, greenhouse technology, and ag-biotech firms. The dataset shows 15 recorded cases of bankruptcy or liquidation between April and November 2025, including companies such as CleanGreens Solutions, Growy Singapore, Eden Green Technology, and Guardian Agriculture. The United States and Europe represent the most affected regions, reflecting the financial strain caused by high operating costs, slow profitability, and tightening capital markets. Several vertical farming companies—Jones Food Company, Hexagro, Freight Farms, and Vertical Future—either ceased operations or entered administration, indicating sustained structural challenges in scaling production efficiency and maintaining investor confidence amid rising energy and real estate costs.

This wave of bankruptcies stands in sharp contrast to the significant funding rebound observed in 2025 across the broader AgTech landscape, particularly in biologicals, precision agriculture, and plant science. While investors have renewed their appetite for scalable and data-driven solutions, many CEA and hardware-focused startups have struggled to translate investment into sustainable unit economics. The inclusion of sectors beyond indoor farming—such as biotechnology (Oerth Bio) and carbon markets (Direct Carbon)—signals a broader recalibration of priorities. Overall, the data points to a maturing AgTech market where capital is increasingly concentrated in companies demonstrating clear profitability paths, leaving capital-intensive models exposed to heightened risk and consolidation pressures.

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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.

PLANT SCIENCE 
New Funding, Partnerships & Licenses For Plant Science

Kula Bio Secures Series A-1 Funding and Announces Executive Leadership Transition - The new capital will accelerate commercial expansion and further innovation in the company’s microbial nitrogen platform. Harrison Yoon has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, succeeding founding CEO Bill Brady, who becomes Executive Chairman. Frederic Kendirgi has been promoted to Chief Technology Officer, and Geraldo Mattioli, former President of Yara North America, joins as Chief Commercial Officer.

Ginkgo Bioworks and Bayer Extend Strategic Partnership to Advance Agricultural Biologicals - Partnership builds on a successful collaboration launched in 2017, with Bayer retaining commercialization rights. Ginkgo’s agricultural biologicals platform continues to expand, with research efforts centered in West Sacramento.

Pairwise Licenses Fulcrum® Gene Editing Platform to the International Rice Research Institute - The agreement will support the development of high-yield, climate-resilient, and nutrient-enhanced rice varieties. IRRI gains nonexclusive rights to use Fulcrum technologies, including the SHARC™ enzyme system, for research and commercial applications.

Arevo Raises €7.3M to Scale Bio-Based Fertiliser Production and Expand Internationally - The round saw continued investment from Industrifonden, Fort Knox Förvaring AB, Navigare Ventures, and Stora Enso, who also backed Arevo’s previous €6.8 million funding. Arevo produces arginine phosphate, a sustainable fertiliser designed to reduce nitrogen leakage and greenhouse gas emissions while improving soil nutrient retention.

Nufarm Receives EPA Registration for Naxypro® and Naxypro® Plus Insecticides - Both formulations contain chlorantraniliprole, a Nufarm-registered active ingredient offering long-lasting control of key lepidopteran pests. Naxypro® targets chewing and sucking pests in specialty crops, while Naxypro® Plus is designed for broad-acre crops such as soybeans, corn, cereals, and cotton.

INTERVIEW
AgSTEP: Building California’s Agricultural Workforce for a Changing Economy

• AgSTEP is reshaping agricultural education across California through competency-based learning that aligns directly with employer needs.

• Industry collaboration drives curriculum updates, ensuring students are trained on the latest technologies and ready for immediate employment.

• The Foundation for California Community Colleges and partner institutions like Merced College are linking workforce programs to statewide economic initiatives such as California Jobs First.

• Merced College’s Agriculture and Industrial Technology programs are expanding to include fast-track certifications and potential bachelor’s degrees focused on AgTech.

• The model offers national potential, with leaders envisioning replication across other U.S. states as agriculture adapts to automation, AI, and sustainability challenges.

Discover more here.

CEA
Between Funding & Bankruptcies

Source.ag Raises $17.5M in Series B Funding to Accelerate AI Expansion in CEA - The funding was led by Astanor Ventures, with participation from Enza Zaden and Harvest House. The new capital brings total funding to over $60 million since the company’s founding in 2020.

Growy Singapore Ceases Operations Amid Restructuring to Focus on Core Farming Technology - Growy Singapore has announced the voluntary liquidation of its Singapore operations effective October 28, 2025. The decision follows challenges in achieving sustainable profitability despite local support and commercial progress. The company will refocus efforts on its proprietary vertical farming technology developed in Amsterdam.

CleanGreens Solutions Files for Bankruptcy Amid Market Challenges - The company cited inability to secure sufficient funding despite signing a CHF 5 million investment agreement earlier in 2025. The decision will lead to the layoff of all employees, marking the end of operations.

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

Ceres AI Secures $13M from Remus Capital to Advance Agricultural Intelligence Platform - The company plans to expand its “AI for AI” system, leveraging data from 40 crop types and 17 billion plant-level measurements across 32 million acres. Remus Capital Partner John Tincoff joins the Ceres AI board alongside an AI agent, Arista — the world’s first AI board member.

Farm to Feed Secures $1.5M Seed Funding to Combat Food Loss and Boost Farmer Incomes - The round includes $1.27M in equity and $230,000 in non-dilutive funding from DEG’s DeveloPPP Ventures programme. Investors include Delta40 Venture Studio, DRK Foundation, Catalyst Fund, Holocene, Marula Square, 54Co, Levare Ventures, and Mercy Corps Ventures.

Sustainea Bioglycols Launches Regenerative Agriculture Project in Partnership with Primient - The project supports 1,000 acres of farmland in Lafayette, Indiana, promoting soil health and carbon sequestration. Collaboration with Primient builds on Sustainea’s sustainable sourcing strategy for Bio-MEG production.

Tikehau Capital’s Regenerative Agriculture Strategy Closes at €560M - Tikehau Investment Management has finalized the Regenerative Agriculture Strategy at €560 million (US$652.85 million). The fund targets sustainable food systems, soil health, and climate-positive agriculture. The close contributed to €5.2 billion in total fundraising year-to-date, according to Tikehau’s Q3 2025 results.

BCF Life Sciences Secures Second Patent for Leafamine® Technology - The technology repurposes poultry feathers as a raw material, aligning with circular economy principles. The patented hydrolysate contains 82% free amino acids, allowing for quicker plant absorption and improved growth.

Nuvio Planet and KWS Expand Partnership to Scale Environmental Intelligence Across Global Agri-Food Systems - The Nuvio Planet platform reduced analysis time by 50% and helped achieve up to 30% lower CO₂ emissions in livestock systems. The model is now being scaled across 12 countries, covering milk, egg, and meat production systems.

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