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Deal Flow
Featuring Topcon Agriculture, Emergent Connext, GramikTM, AgEagle, Bayan-Mayani, Puna Bio, Itafos, Kemin Industries, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Van der Knaap Group, Université Laval, and Reinke Manufacturing and more!
Diletta Di Iorio
July 18, 2025
Good Morning Growers,
This week’s edition highlights strategic partnerships, rural development models, and innovations across agritech, plant science, and controlled environment agriculture. From greenhouse podcasts and cooperative-driven climate resilience to advanced boom control systems, biological inputs, and smart feed mills—organizations like Puna Bio, Itafos, Bayan-Mayani, and Kemin Industries are driving scalable solutions for food security, sustainability, and smallholder success.
A heartfelt thank you to all our new members for joining the iGrow Network – we’re excited to have you on board and look forward to sharing the latest innovations and updates with you! Instant access here!
What We Are Covering Today:
Estimated Reading Time: 6 - 7 minutes
🎧 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. here.
A LITTLE ANNOUNCEMENT
AgTech Media Group launches Greenhouse Success Stories, its third original podcast series.
The podcast is sponsored by Harnois Greenhouses and hosted by Trina Semenchuk.
It focuses on practical advice, strategic thinking, and stories relevant to greenhouse operations. The series is part of the iGrow Podcast Network, consolidating AgTech Media Group’s audio content.
It features firsthand insights from greenhouse growers in North America and other regions. Episodes will be available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
AGRITECH
AgTech Highlights: New Initiative, Funding Round, & More!
Topcon Agriculture – UC7 Plus Boom Height Control System
Topcon Agriculture has launched the UC7 Plus boom height control system.
The system aims to enhance spraying performance by up to 30%.
Features include improved sensors, better terrain response, and enhanced equipment durability.
Compatible with both self-propelled and pull-type sprayers, enabling retrofitting and new installations.
Supports automation to reduce operator fatigue and promote sustainable practices.
Designed to deliver both economic and sustainability benefits.
Emergent Connext – $5M Seed Funding Round
Emergent Connext has completed a $5 million oversubscribed seed funding round.
Over 20 investors from agriculture and telecommunications participated.
Funds will support expansion of rural IoT infrastructure and commercial activities.
Focus areas include device integration and data solutions across agricultural and rural sectors.
The company’s IoT network is currently deployed in six US states, with plans for further scaling.
Gramik™ – $2M Bridge Funding Ahead of Series A
Gramik™ has raised $2 million in bridge funding, bringing total funding to over $5 million.
The funding precedes a planned $6.7 million Series A round.
Funds will support product expansion, farmer engagement, and geographic growth.
Gramik™ targets engagement with 1 million farmers and 3,000+ Village-Level Entrepreneurs by 2026.
Strategy includes a focus on private labels and agronomy services.
AgEagle Aerial Systems – Sales to Wingtra and Atvos
AgEagle has sold 20 RedEdge-P multispectral cameras to Wingtra to enhance their platform.
Additionally, five eBee X drones with S.O.D.A. 3D cameras were sold and deployed to Atvos Agroindustrial in Brazil.
The drones will be used across 1.2 million acres of sugarcane fields for crop failure analysis and targeted weed control.
Goals include improving planting efficiency, optimizing herbicide use, and supporting sustainability and cost reduction.
Bayan-Mayani – Cooperative-Based Rural Development Initiative
The initiative introduces a cooperative-based rural development model aimed at climate adaptation.
Funded through philanthropic capital, it focuses on clustered agricultural cooperatives. The model incorporates indigenous knowledge, cooperative governance, and smallholder-focused technologies.
Initial implementation targets vulnerable food corridors in Luzon and Visayas. Expansion to Mindanao is planned for 2026.
PLANT SCIENCE & AGRIBUSINESS
Plant Science Updates: Expansion, Funding Round & More!
Puna Bio – Series A Funding with Gates Foundation Participation
Puna Bio has closed its Series A funding round with investment from the Gates Foundation.
This marks the Gates Foundation’s first direct investment in an Argentine startup.
The investment supports innovations in climate resilience and food security for smallholder farmers.
The partnership will focus on adapting agricultural solutions for local contexts in Africa.
Goals include scaling production and expanding access to affordable agricultural inputs in developing regions.
Itafos – Financial Turnaround and Strategic Expansion
The company is now positioned for long-term stability and growth.
A decline in Chinese phosphate exports has tightened global supply chains, benefiting producers like Itafos and OCP. Brazil's domestic phosphate production is becoming more critical; Itafos is expanding operations in Tocantins.
Global phosphate use has been under-applied by an estimated 10 million tons over the past 3.5 years. Limited capacity additions are expected globally due to high development costs and permitting challenges.
Kemin Industries – Launch of RevoCURB Soil Treatment
Kemin Industries has introduced RevoCURB, a FIFRA 25(b)-exempt soil treatment.
The product is formulated with essential oils such as thyme, clove, garlic, and cinnamon. RevoCURB functions as a nematicide, fungicide-bactericide, and herbicide.
It addresses regulatory, environmental, and operational challenges in soil pest control. Suitable for both organic and conventional farming systems.
Features include no buffer zone requirements and a zero-hour reentry interval.
Wayne-Sanderson Farms – New $43M Feed Mill in Arkansas
Wayne-Sanderson Farms has opened a $43 million feed mill in Danville, Arkansas. The facility is designed to produce over 8,500 tons of feed per week. It will support 130 family farms in the surrounding region.
The mill incorporates automation and prioritizes sourcing grain locally.
It features advanced systems capable of handling nine different feed formulations. Includes expanded ingredient and product storage, along with additional warehouse space.
The investment supports the company’s strategy to enhance production and strengthen ties with family farm partners.
Reinke Manufacturing – Acquisition of Scott Specialties’ Industrial Assets
Reinke Manufacturing has acquired the industrial assets of Scott Specialties in Belleville, Kansas. The acquisition includes facilities, equipment, and real estate previously used for orthopedic soft goods production.
The move will expand Reinke’s irrigation operations and operational capacity in Kansas. A second operational center will be established in Belleville to support precision irrigation technologies.
The acquisition is expected to create new employment opportunities for former Scott Specialties staff. The initiative supports rural economic development in the region.
CEA
CEA Updates: New Initiative, Partnership & More!
Van der Knaap Group and Premier Tech – Strategic Partnership
Van der Knaap Group has formed a partnership with Canada-based horticulture firm Premier Tech. The collaboration aims to expand global reach and integrate their product portfolios and technical expertise.
The partnership focuses on sustainability, innovation, and reliability in horticulture.
Van der Knaap will gain access to Premier Tech’s biological solutions and global infrastructure.
The agreement supports Premier Tech’s long-term growth strategy in Europe and the Americas.
Université Laval – $5M Grant for VertBerry Project
The project is led by Professor Martine Dorais and focuses on modular, closed-environment bioponic systems for strawberry transplants.
VertBerry aims to reduce reliance on imported transplants and enhance sustainability in Canadian berry production.
It supports year-round production and seeks to improve economic outcomes for growers.
The project is part of Canada’s national "Homegrown Innovation Challenge."
How Did You Like Today's Newsletter? |
OTHER NEWS
Other Updates: New Inititative, Collaboration, & More!
Big Idea Ventures’ new cohort features companies innovating in fermentation, enzyme tech, cell culture, and sustainable ingredient sourcing. Startups address challenges such as cocoa alternatives, shelf-life extension, gluten-safe baking, and upcycled oils. Backed by global food leaders including AAK, Bühler, Puratos, and Pfeifer & Langen.
Regrow Ag and Embrapa announce collaboration to localize the DNDC model for Brazil’s tropical soils. Initiative aims to enhance MRV (monitoring, reporting, verification) for greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration. Brazil’s role as a global agricultural leader makes this adaptation vital for climate resilience and food security.
JBS contributes more than US$ 7 million to cattle traceability and rural environmental support in Pará. Initiatives align with a state goal to trace the entire herd by 2026. US$ 5 million allocated to the Traceability Accelerator Program for indirect suppliers. US$ 2 million invested in JBS Green Offices to assist with environmental regularization.
CIBO Technologies joins Virginia Tech-led initiative to implement conservation practices across four states. Grant aims to incentivize cover cropping, crop rotation, and other sustainable farming methods. CIBO’s modeling platform to quantify environmental impact and support climate-smart commodity markets
UPCOMING EVENTS
Special Thanks to Our Directory Members
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