Agriculture and food systems are increasingly shaped by AI, automation, climate resilience and strategic investment. In today’s edition, Brazilian biotech startup BioLinker and German agritech company Finches are advancing AI-driven biological research and agricultural supply chain intelligence, while hexafarms is scaling sensor-based greenhouse monitoring and scouting robots.
French foodtech startup Edonia is expanding its spirulina-based protein alternative, highlighting the growing interest in sustainable food ingredients. In India Special, India and Ghana have strengthened agricultural research cooperation, NABVENTURES has reached the first close of its ₹450 crore Fund II, and Sahyadri Farms has reported 33.5% income growth despite a challenging year.
Bihar’s ₹8 crore agricultural skill development initiative also highlights the continued focus on farmer training and rural entrepreneurship. Together, these developments reflect how technology, investment, international collaboration and skills development are creating new opportunities across the global agri-food value chain.
BioLinker Raises $1.7 Million to Build Automated Biotech Lab in the Amazon
Brazilian biotech startup BioLinker has raised $1.7 million in funding to expand its synthetic biology capabilities and strengthen AI-driven biological research. The round includes a $1.4 million investment from Axcell and approximately $240,000 from FAPESP through its PIPE Phase 2 programme.
Founded in 2018 by scientists from the University of São Paulo, BioLinker develops recombinant proteins for research, diagnostics and industrial applications.
The company will use the funding to establish an automated laboratory at the Amazon BioBusiness Center in Manaus, using robotics to generate large-scale biological data for AI model training and expand DNA production in Brazil.
BioLinker also plans to increase its workforce from 12 to 24 employees. The funding round remains open as the startup seeks an international investor ahead of a planned Series A round within the next two years.
Finches Raises €2 Million to Expand AI-Powered Agricultural Supply Chain Intelligence
German startup Finches has raised €2 million in a pre-seed funding round to expand its AI-powered platform for predicting agricultural sourcing risks. The round was co-led by High-Tech Gründerfonds and Vanagon Ventures, with participation from Bayern Kapital and existing investors.
Founded in 2025, the female-founded company combines field observations, weather patterns, satellite imagery, market intelligence and supplier data to identify potential disruptions in agricultural raw material supplies.
Its platform provides early warnings to companies in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, helping procurement teams respond to climate risks, extreme weather and geopolitical disruptions.
The technology enables businesses to identify alternative suppliers, adjust purchasing decisions and reschedule production before shortages affect operations.
Launched in September 2026, Finches Intelligence has already attracted customers, including an organic baby food manufacturer and a North American Fortune 500 food conglomerate.
The new funding will support product development and sales expansion as the company aims to strengthen supply chain resilience through predictive intelligence.
hexafarms Raises €4.8 Million to Scale AI-Powered Greenhouse Sensors and Scouting Robots
Berlin-based agtech startup hexafarms has raised €4.8 million in seed funding to expand its AI-powered greenhouse monitoring and crop intelligence platform. The round was led by Ananda Impact Ventures and Green Generation Fund, with participation from Grey Silo Ventures, better ventures and existing investors.
Founded in 2021, the company combines wireless sensors, yield forecasting software and scouting robots to monitor crop conditions, predict harvests and detect pests and diseases early. Its sensors collect climate, irrigation, substrate and light data, while robots scan plants to identify potential crop health issues.
The subscription-based model allows growers to access and maintain the technology without purchasing the hardware outright. More than 50 growers across 13 countries use the platform, with customers managing over €300 million worth of produce through the system in 2026, according to the company.
hexafarms will use the funding to enhance crop sensing and automated scouting while expanding across the DACH region, Benelux countries and Spain.
Kutlerri.ai Raises $4 Million to Expand AI Agents for Restaurant Sales and Cost Optimisation
Texas-based startup Kutlerri.ai has raised $4 million from Houston-based Narahari Investments to expand its AI-powered agents designed to increase restaurant revenue and reduce operating costs. The funding will support the expansion of its catering sales agent, development of new AI products and launch of a mobile-first self-service application for smaller restaurant operators.
Its existing AI agent manages customer inquiries, proposals, follow-ups and order conversions across phone, email, text, chat and web forms, while also identifying potential catering customers. The company operates on a performance-based model, charging according to revenue generated or costs reduced rather than a fixed monthly software subscription.
According to Kutlerri.ai, its catering agent generated $450,000 in new catering revenue for fast-casual restaurant group RASA over 10 months, exceeding ten times the service cost. The startup is also testing AI agents for third-party delivery sales, marketing expenditure and prime-cost optimisation.
Additional products focused on online ordering, food preparation and waste management are under development as the company expands its AI-driven restaurant operations platform.
Edonia Raises €15 Million to Scale Microalgae-Based Protein as a Meat Alternative
French foodtech startup Edonia has raised €15 million to scale production of its spirulina-derived protein ingredient and expand its business-to-business sales across Europe, Japan and the United States. The funding includes investments from SWEN Blue Ocean 2, Asterion Ventures and EIT Food, alongside support from Bpifrance and bank financing.
The company’s flagship ingredient, Edo, uses a patented process called Edonization, developed in partnership with AgroParisTech, to transform spirulina into a tender, grain-like ingredient for food manufacturing and foodservice applications.
Designed as an alternative to conventional protein sources such as meat, fish and cheese, the ingredient aims to combine high nutritional value, taste and affordability.
According to the company, its production process can achieve a carbon footprint up to 27 times lower than meat. Edonia has also secured €30 million in pre-orders through approximately 20 contracts with industry partners.
The new funding will support industrial-scale production through a dedicated facility in France and strengthen commercial expansion as demand grows for more sustainable protein alternatives.
India Special
India and Ghana Sign MoU to Strengthen Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer
India and Ghana have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Ghana’s Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) to advance agricultural research, education and technology transfer.
The partnership will focus on joint research projects, scientific exchanges, capacity building and the commercialisation of agricultural technologies. The first phase will prioritise tomato research and development, including the introduction of suitable high-yielding varieties to strengthen Ghana’s domestic production.
The collaboration will also support cassava, yam and other tuber crop value chains through improved processing and value addition. Additional areas include cold storage, refrigerated transportation, sorting, grading and post-harvest management to reduce agricultural losses.
Facilitated by Ghana-based Arima Farms Ltd., the initiative aims to connect scientific innovation with practical agricultural applications. A Joint Working Group comprising ICAR and CSIR-CRI representatives will oversee implementation and monitor progress, supporting sustainable agricultural development and improved livelihoods in Ghana.
NABVENTURES Closes Fund II at ₹450 Crore, Targets ₹1,500 Crore for Agri and Rural Innovation
NABVENTURES, the venture capital arm of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), has achieved the first close of its second fund at ₹450 crore, targeting a total corpus of ₹1,500 crore, including a green-shoe option.
The fund will invest in early- and growth-stage companies operating across agritech, food and agribusiness, rural fintech, climate-smart solutions, supply chains and logistics. Backed by NABARD as its anchor investor, Fund II aims to support scalable, technology-driven businesses that improve agricultural productivity, strengthen value chains and enhance farmers’ incomes.
The investment strategy also prioritises climate resilience, financial inclusion, sustainability and rural livelihood creation. Beyond capital, NABVENTURES plans to leverage NABARD’s nationwide network and sector expertise to help portfolio companies expand market access and scale operations.
The platform’s earlier funds have collectively supported 23 innovative enterprises across agriculture and the rural economy. With its expanded investment capacity, NABVENTURES aims to accelerate innovation and build more resilient, competitive and technology-enabled agricultural and rural businesses across India.
Sahyadri Farms Reports 33.5% Income Growth to ₹2,609 Crore in FY2025–26
Sahyadri Farmers Producer Company Limited (SFPCL) reported consolidated income of ₹2,609.27 crore in FY2025–26, marking a 33.5% increase from ₹1,954.73 crore in the previous financial year. The growth came despite challenges caused by prolonged unseasonal rainfall in Maharashtra and disruptions to international trade and logistics linked to the West Asian conflict.
The farmer-owned enterprise engaged 30,302 farmers across 53,322 acres and procured 446,335 tonnes of agricultural produce, up 17% year-on-year. The company also provided direct employment to 7,228 people, including 2,355 women.
At its 16th Annual General Meeting in Nashik, Chairman and Managing Director Vilas Shinde credited the performance to the collective efforts, trust and resilience of its farmer members. Looking ahead, Sahyadri Farms aims to strengthen climate resilience, support stable farmer incomes and create more livelihood opportunities in rural communities.
Bihar Approves ₹8 Crore Agricultural Skill Development Plan to Train 9,840 Farmers and Youth
The Bihar government has approved ₹8 crore under its Agricultural Skill Development Scheme for FY 2026–27 to train 9,840 farmers and rural youth through 328 batches. Announced by Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, the initiative will provide domain-based and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) training to strengthen agricultural skills and promote employment and entrepreneurship.
Training areas include nursery management, organic and natural farming, mushroom production, vermicomposting, beekeeping, agri-entrepreneurship and modern farm machinery operation. The RPL component will recognise the existing skills and practical experience of farmers and rural workers through formal certification.
Training will be delivered through agricultural universities, colleges, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, research institutions and district-level agencies across Bihar’s 38 districts. The programme aims to improve farmers’ capabilities, create self-employment opportunities and encourage rural youth to establish agriculture-based enterprises.