Good morning, growers,

This week’s update highlights new advances in crop spraying, nitrogen management, biological inputs, and farm automation.

Ecorobotix released its 2026 spraying algorithms, while Messium raised £3.3M for AI-driven nitrogen tools. BIOWEG closed a €16M Series A to scale biodegradable materials, and PlantArcBio secured patents for its CRISPR-supporting DIPPER™ platform.

BASF expands xarvio to South America, PATS raised €2.7M for pest tech, and Tidal Grow launched a new foliar nitrogen product.

Other updates include La Zone Agtech’s partnership with Fasken, Row 7’s cabbage launch in Whole Foods, Moleaer’s global deal with Xylem, Nasekomo’s BSF milestone, and INNOFarms.AI’s robotics debut. Additional funding news from feld.energy and Nofence rounds out this week’s edition.

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: 6 - 7 minutes

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AGRITECH
AgTech Highlights: New Funding Round, New Partnership & More!

Ecorobotix Unveils 2026 Spraying AI

• Ecorobotix has launched its 2026 precision spraying algorithms, enabling the use of non-selective herbicides in vegetable farming.

• Its Plant-by-Plant™ AI can now distinguish between monocots and dicots across multiple crops.

• This helps protect sensitive crops like broccoli and cauliflower and tackles issues such as volunteer potatoes in carrot fields.

• Future algorithms will include leeks, garlic, celery, potatoes, and ragwort.

• The update will be commercially available in March 2026.

Messium Secures £3.3M for Nitrogen Tech

• Messium raised £3.3 million in seed funding, co-led by UKI2S and Expansion, with participation from additional investors.

• The funds will support international growth and scaling of its hyperspectral satellite and AI nitrogen tools.

• Its system delivers lab-grade nitrogen insights at 5-meter resolution.

• The goal is to improve yields, lower input costs, and promote sustainable farming.

La Zone Agtech Partners with Fasken

• La Zone Agtech has formed a strategic partnership with law firm Fasken to support agtech and plant bioproduct startups.

• The collaboration will provide legal and strategic services to accelerate commercialization.

• Fasken’s Agrifood and Beverage group will play a key role in helping Quebec-based companies scale globally.

• The initiative aims to support sustainable solutions in food and climate.

BASF Expands xarvio Platform to South America

• BASF will launch its xarvio FIELD MANAGER For AgBusiness in Argentina and Brazil by late 2025.

• The platform serves large-scale farm operations and advisors with tailored agronomic insights.

• Key features include enhanced dashboards and a Scouting Trips function for field prioritization.

• Expansion to France and Germany is planned for 2026.

• Available across desktop and mobile, the tool is backed by BASF Agricultural Solutions.

BIOWEG Raises €16M for Biotech Scale-Up

• BIOWEG has closed a €16 million Series A to build its first industrial bacterial cellulose facility in Germany.

• Investors include Axeleo Capital, the EIC Fund, NBank Capital, BonVenture, and Dr.-Ing. Frank Jenner.

• The funding supports its biodegradable alternatives for cosmetics, home care, and agriculture.

• BIOWEG uses food industry by-products and precision fermentation.

• The company operates a pilot site in Quakenbrück and a lab in Monheim.

PLANT SCIENCE
Plant Science Updates: New Initiative, Funding Round & More!

PlantArcBio Secures Patents for Gene Tech

• PlantArcBio has received patents in the U.S. and South Korea for its DIPPER™ platform, which enhances gene expression for CRISPR editing in crops.

• The platform uses a high-throughput in planta method to identify DNA elements that improve crop traits like yield, drought tolerance, herbicide resistance, and nutritional value.

• These patents expand the company’s IP portfolio and aim to support faster development and commercialization of improved crop traits.

• The technology aligns with global goals for more sustainable food systems.

PATS Raises €2.7M for Pest Tech Expansion

• PATS has secured €2.7 million in seed funding from investors including Division Q, Percival Participations, and Delft Enterprises.

• The funding will support international growth, production scale-up, and product development.

• Its AI-powered pest management system includes real-time pest tracking, forecasting tools, and autonomous drones to reduce pesticide use.

• The goal is to support more sustainable agriculture through integrated technology and biology.

Tidal Grow Launches alignN® Nitrogen Product

• Tidal Grow AgriScience has introduced alignN®, a foliar nitrogen fertilizer using align® Technology for broadacre crops.

• The 18-0-0 formula delivers encapsulated urea directly into leaves, improving absorption and reducing nutrient loss.

• Field trials have shown improvements in plant health and yield potential.

• Compatible with various application methods, alignN® is priced competitively with conventional nitrogen products.

• The company plans global expansion and new product development, aligning with 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices.

Verde AgriTech Granted Patent for Bio Fertilizer

• Verde AgriTech has received a Brazilian patent for its bio-enriched fertilizer production process.

• The method, developed by its subsidiary Verde Fertilizantes LTDA, combines glauconitic siltstone with beneficial microbes.

• It eliminates the drying stage, reducing costs and maintaining microorganism viability for up to 180 days.

• Benefits include enhanced nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, biocontrol, and growth promotion.

• This is Verde’s fifth patent in Brazil, strengthening its position in sustainable agtech.

Row 7 Launches Sweet Cabbage at Whole Foods

• Row 7 Seed Company has rolled out its new Sugarcone cabbage variety in 325 Whole Foods Market locations across key U.S. regions.

• Available from September to mid-November, it features a naturally sweet flavor and tender texture, setting it apart from standard cabbage types.

• The variety is suited to raw and cooked preparations, including salads, roasting, grilling, and fermentation.

• The launch highlights Row 7’s focus on flavor-first breeding for home cooks.

• Other seasonal produce like Upstate Abundance potatoes and Honeypatch squash are also available.

CEA
CEA Updates: New Partnership, Initiatives & More!

Moleaer Partners with Xylem on Water Tech

• Moleaer has entered a global partnership with Xylem, including a distribution deal and strategic investment.

• The collaboration aims to scale nanobubble systems for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment.

• Moleaer’s technology improves gas transfer and accelerates treatment processes, leading to reduced chemical use, better compliance, and higher energy efficiency.

• With over 4,000 systems installed globally, the company’s solutions are already deployed across multiple sectors.

• The partnership builds on Moleaer’s participation in Xylem’s Innovation Labs and seeks to advance sustainable water treatment practices.

Nasekomo Hits Insect Reproduction Milestone

• Nasekomo has reached a milestone in Black Soldier Fly (BSF) reproduction, producing ~25g of eggs per cubic meter per day.

• This output makes the company’s technology suitable for mid- to large-scale insect farming operations.

• The achievement stems from advances in genetics (via its FlyGenetics program), biology, and industrial process design at its “MultiFly” Multiplication Center. It follows progress made in Nasekomo’s automated vertical rearing platform earlier in 2025.

• The company is now commercializing its BSF tech with turnkey solutions and secured egg supply for global customers.

• EU and national funding supported the development, with commercial discussions underway in Europe and the Americas.

INNOFarms.AI Debuts Smart Farming Platform

• INNOFarms.AI launched its GrowSmartRobotics system at the Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 in Dubai.

• Designed for controlled-environment agriculture, the platform integrates AI vision, IoT sensors, and robotics.

• It supports key tasks like plant scouting and precision harvesting, helping reduce labor costs and improve speed and accuracy.

• When paired with the INNOFarmsXOS operating system, it is designed to cut operational costs and boost crop yields.

• The launch aligns with expected growth in the agricultural robotics sector.

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

• feld.energy has secured a €10 million seed round to scale its Agri-PV technology. The round was led by HV Capital, with participation from Future Energy Ventures, AENU, and Angel Invest. Agri-PV enables farmland to produce food and solar energy simultaneously, offering farmers diversified income streams.

• Nofence has raised €30 million in Series B funding, reported as the largest AgriTech round in Europe so far in 2025. The company develops virtual fencing solutions for cattle, goats, and sheep, aiming to improve land use and animal welfare. Funding will support product development, international expansion, and more efficient grazing solutions for farmers worldwide.

• McDonald’s USA has announced the Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative, its largest investment in regenerative agriculture to date. The program will allocate more than $200 million over seven years to promote grazing practices, habitat restoration, and water conservation. The initiative covers up to 4 million acres across 38 U.S. states, with participation from ranchers in McDonald’s beef supply chain.

• Agreena secures verification of its AgreenaCarbon Project under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. First large-scale arable agriculture project globally to meet VM0042 Improved Agricultural Land Management v2.0 methodology. 2.3 million Verra-verified carbon credits now issued, reflecting immediate climate impact. Project covers 1.6 million hectares across 10 European countries, reducing 1.2 million tonnes CO₂ and removing 1.1 million tonnes CO₂.

• IICA urges governments, private sector, and partners to prioritize rural youth in sustainable development strategies. The organization warns that migration, aging populations, and inequality threaten rural communities. Proposed measures include improving infrastructure, education, connectivity, and agribusiness opportunities. IICA highlights the transformative role of digital agriculture and innovation for the region’s future.

UPCOMING EVENTS

AgraME | October 6 – 7, 2025 | Dubai

Vertical Farming World Congress | Oct 7-9, 2025 | Amsterdam

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