Key Takeaways
- UK agritech startup Elaniti has closed a funding round with participation from biotope by VIB, Planetary Impact Ventures, and PINC.
- The investment supports the development of Elaniti’s AI-powered digital decision support tool, which uses DNA sequencing to analyze soil microbiomes.
- The funding round, combined with previous Innovate UK support, brings Elaniti’s total funds raised to €1.5 million.
- The technology aims to help farmers optimize productivity while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs.
- Elaniti will use the investment to scale operations, expand research, and prepare for product launch.
Elaniti Closes Funding Round to Accelerate AI-Driven Soil Insights
Elaniti, a UK-based agritech startup, has completed a €1.5 million funding round, securing investment from biotope by VIB, Planetary Impact Ventures, and PINC, the venture arm of Paulig Group. The funding will accelerate the development of Elaniti’s digital decision support tool, an AI-driven platform that analyzes soil microbial composition using DNA sequencing to provide farmers with actionable insights.
This funding round builds on a non-dilutive grant from Innovate UK in January 2025, reinforcing investor confidence in Elaniti’s mission to transform soil management and support sustainable agriculture.
According to Scott Jarrett, CEO of Elaniti: “Soil is the foundation of our food system, but modern agriculture has strained its health. The soil microbiome holds the key to restoring fertility, resilience, and reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. By unlocking its potential, we can help farmers produce food sustainably while regenerating the land for future generations.”
Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Soil Health
While farmers have access to chemical and physical soil data, biological activity—the microbes driving soil health and productivity—remains largely unmeasured.
Elaniti’s technology links microbial activity to agronomic performance—such as yield and disease resistance—giving farmers:
- Precision insights into soil health and productivity potential.
- Guidance on reducing synthetic inputs like pesticides and fertilizers.
- Long-term resilience strategies for sustainable land management.
Investor Confidence in Elaniti’s Impact
Biotope by VIB: Strategic Investment in Agricultural Biotech
Biotope by VIB, an early-stage biotech investor, recognizes Elaniti’s potential to drive regenerative agriculture.
According to Annick Verween, Head of Biotope: “At biotope, we invest in pioneering biotech startups that address key sustainability challenges. Elaniti perfectly fits within our mission, as their work enables the transition to regenerative practices. Their technology holds significant potential for improving soil health while ensuring economic viability for farmers.”
Planetary Impact Ventures: A Step Towards Regenerative Farming
Planetary Impact Ventures, an investor focused on sustainable transformations, supports Elaniti’s mission to decode soil microbiomes.
Mikkel Lehmann, Board Member at Elaniti, emphasized the urgency of soil microbiome research: “We urgently need to understand soil microbiomes to transition towards regenerative farming. Elaniti’s ability to decode this complexity and translate it into practical guidance for farmers makes them a key player in this shift.”
PINC: Driving Sustainable Food Systems
PINC, the corporate venture arm of Paulig Group, recognizes Elaniti’s technical innovation and commercial traction.
According to Rosemari Herrero, Senior Investment Manager at PINC: “Elaniti’s traction demonstrates that they are tackling a crucial challenge in agriculture. We are impressed by their ability to generate revenue from day one and by their courage to take on a highly technical and disruptive field.”
Elaniti Scaling Operations and Preparing for Product Launch
With the new investment, the company will:
- Expand its research and development team to enhance its predictive analytics platform.
- Strengthen partnerships with agribusiness leaders to validate its insights in real-world farming environments.
- Accelerate the launch of its AI-powered decision support tool, bringing data-driven soil management to more farmers.
