Key Takeaways:
- Local Bounti, Cropin Technology, and MAVRK Capital announced major funding and investment initiatives.
- Mars and Pairwise launched a gene-editing partnership to enhance cacao crop resilience.
- Rantizo rebranded as American Autonomy, signaling a shift toward aerial ag software.
- Hort Americas introduced a new organic nitrogen fertilizer for hydroponic and organic growers.
- Village Farms, AeroFarms, and CEA Advisors continued their CEA expansion strategies.
Sector Leaders Announce New Capital and Strategic Moves
This week’s edition of AgTech Digest outlines several financial and strategic developments across the agriculture technology sector. Local Bounti Corporation raised $10 million through a convertible note from an existing investor, aimed at reducing debt and supporting ongoing operations. Cropin Technology was awarded a €700,000 contract by EIT Food to implement its AI-driven initiative for regenerative potato farming across Europe. MAVRK Capital also announced the first close of its second fund, focused on produce-related receivables.
Meanwhile, Dole plc has sold its Fresh Vegetables Division to Arable Capital Partners for $140 million as part of a broader streamlining effort. The deal includes a mix of cash, seller notes, and potential earn-outs.
Focus on Plant Innovation and IP Protection
In plant science, Mars and Pairwise revealed a partnership to apply CRISPR technologies, including the SHARC™ enzyme, to cacao crops. The objective is to improve crop resilience amid climate and disease pressures.
Solynta continues to promote true potato seeds (TPS) as a scalable and efficient alternative to seed tubers. Trials are underway in Kenya, East Africa, and Canada, supported by the public release of the company’s diploid potato genome.
Bloom Fresh also expanded its enforcement activities around table grape varieties such as COTTON CANDY and SWEET GLOBE, reinforcing the importance of intellectual property protection in commercial horticulture.
Controlled Environment Agriculture Sees Renewed Growth
Village Farms International will convert part of its Delta 2 greenhouse in British Columbia for cannabis production, adding 40 metric tonnes of annual capacity. AeroFarms completed new financing to support the Danville, Virginia site and a second vertical farm in planning. CEA Advisors delivered a new Growtainer® tissue culture lab to Nash Nurseries, reinforcing modular CEA’s role in scalable propagation.
Hort Americas, in collaboration with Avé Organics, also introduced OAN 10‑0‑0®, a liquid organic fertilizer tailored to hydroponic and organic growers in North America.
Read the full edition: https://agtechdigest.com/p/growth-momentum
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