SugaROx has raised £850k from Regenerate Ventures (RV) and the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S) to allow investment in the scale up and registration of a cutting-edge biostimulant platform originally developed by Rothamsted Research and Oxford University. RV and UKI2S have been the stimulus in SugaROx raising £1.4M in its Seed Round.
Field trials conducted over several years show that SugaROx’s unique single molecule trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) biostimulant platform can boost wheat yields between 12-22%. Remarkable results have also been obtained under controlled conditions for barley, millet, and sorghum (featured image).
Fig. 1: Proof-of-concept work on drought-stressed sorghum.
Left: the effect of T6P application on stressed plants. Right: control.
“The investment will allow us to accelerate field testing, prepare to launch registration in major markets and obtain proof-of-concept on additional crops”, says SugaROx CEO Mark Robbins. “We are delighted to have attracted investment from UKI2S and RV. Together, they bring a track record supporting science-based ventures and invaluable expertise on agrochemicals”.
“We are excited to be joining SugaROx on their journey as we have a strong conviction in both the team and the technology”, says Paul Rous, Managing Director at RV. “A combination of strong market growth, a unique value proposition, supportive regulations and potential for high returns makes investment in biostimulants an attractive opportunity for our investors.”
Andrew Muir, Investment Director at UKI2S, believes SugaROx is a great exemplar for the fund’s thesis. “High quality, collaborative science which addresses a real global challenge and a significant market make for an excellent investment opportunity. SugaROx also has the potential to accelerate the transition to low carbon economies through reduced fertiliser inputs.”
The investment gives SugaROx a great head start – and other exciting developments are also in the pipeline. For updates, follow us at www.linkedin.com/company/sugarox-ltd/.
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About Regenerate Ventures (https://www.regenerate.ventures): Regenerate Ventures is a UK based venture capital fund investing into early-stage companies with technologies that help farmers produce food with less impact on the environment. With 30 years’ experience, the team has raised and deployed four private equity funds and two VC funds, generating a successful investment-to-exit track record in the Seed and Series A venture space. The fund is part of Regenerate Asset Management Limited, an investment company focussed on regenerative and net zero strategies.
About Innovation & Science Seed Fund (https://ukinnovationscienceseedfund.co.uk): UKI2S is a national seed investment fund that nurtures innovative businesses emerging from the UK’s publicly-funded science and knowledge base to facilitate sustainable growth, enhance the health and security, and deliver economic gains. The team has a track record building companies that between them have attracted over £700M of later stage investment, 30 times its original investment. UKI2S is backed by UKRI, MoD, the DSIT, the UKAEA and other public bodies. It is independently managed by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Ltd, an impact-led, global venture capital firm.