Ag-tech start-up WeedOUT Ltd., has announced that it has secured US$8.1mn in A-round funding
Leading the round is prominent US agri- focused VC, Fulcrum Global Capital. The infusion of new capital will advance the company's mission to combat weed resistance through its breakthrough green solution.
WeedOUT's solution could solve one of the greatest threats to agriculture and food security: herbicide-resistant weeds. The company created a novel and environmentally conscious approach to significantly curbing proliferation of weeds that no longer respond to commonly used chemical herbicides.
WeedOUT's first target is the Palmer amaranth weed (Amaranthus palmeri), which can grow up to several metres high and invade fields of corn, cotton, soybeans, and sugar beets. It can crash corn crop yield by 90% and soybean yield by 80%. The prolonged use of chemical herbicides, such as glyphosate, has enabled these destructive weeds to develop multiple resistance.
WeedOUT's novel method takes inspiration from sterility techniques used successfully since the 1940s for controlling populations of unwanted insects, such as mosquitoes and flies. It centres on a proprietary weed pollen derived from the male plants. This sterile pollen fertilises the female weed ovules, yielding nonviable seeds and effectively impeding the growth of a new generation of resistant weeds. The company recently submitted a request to the Environmental Protection Agency for marketing approval and is developing new formulations targeting different weed species.
The WeedOUT solution marks a new era for farmers. "By enabling them to integrate our biological approach with traditional methods, we are redefining weed management strategies," emphasised Noivirt-Brik, PhD, co-founder and co-CEO of WeedOUT. "Our products will dramatically enhance crop yields while simultaneously minimising dependency on chemical herbicides. We envision our technology being widely adopted for multiple crops and serving as a key solution in the battle against resistant weeds. WeedOUT will make a vital and meaningful contribution to agricultural practices and food security, worldwide."
For more information, visit: www.weedout-ibs.com and https://www.fgcvc.com
