By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media
The Agri Investment Fund (AIF), whose strategy prioritizes innovation to advance the agriculture and horticulture sectors, has been feverishly deploying capital of late. Among its recent investments, the fund has backed VOCSens, an Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium-domiciled deeptech firm specializing in real-time multi-gas monitoring that makes invisible molecules visible through the harnessing of advanced microelectronics. According to reports, AIF has invested over half-a-million dollars into VOCSens.
AIF, the private equity and venture capital fund of the Boerenbond Farmer’s Union, is known for targeting high-potential startups that develop technology to solve real-world agricultural challenges. This large sum is a resounding endorsement of VOCSens’ goal, which is to harness next-generation gas sensing for both environmental good and financial efficiency, with an early focus on farming operations.
Founded in 2019, VOCSens is behind what it describes as highly integrated, precise and cost-efficient multi-gas sensor modules designed for real-time air quality and gas emission surveillance. Taking the form of a microchip, the technology allows farmers to gauge and control gas pollutants, like ammonia.
Ammonia presents a significant headache in livestock farming, carrying real consequences not just for the surrounding environment but also for a farm’s bottom line. That’s where VOCSens steps in, offering farmers crucial insights for better livestock management. Through its solution, the company delivers a constant flow of super-accurate data without hitting them in the wallet for costly sensor setups or a mountain of maintenance.
Proceeds from the VC funding target the acceleration of the agtech’s ammonia sensing technology, with a view to enable large-scale deployment of its solution across livestock farms. The benefits for farming operations include better emissions management, animal wellbeing and frontrunning any regulatory mandates on the horizon.
VOCSens CEO Filip Frederix stated, “This investment allows us to take a critical step forward in bringing our ammonia sensing technology to market at scale. We’re delivering tools that help farmers comply with environmental rules while reducing costs and improving operations. It’s a clear win for the planet, the animals and the farmers.”
AIF CEO Patrik Haesen said, “We support ambitious teams that use breakthrough technology to tackle real agricultural challenges. VOCSens has the team and the tech to become a leader in sensing solutions that drive both profitability and sustainability, specifically in agriculture where there is a clear and urgent need for improved technologies to monitor and manage emissions.”
The content put forth by Global AgInvesting News and its parent company HighQuest Partners is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. All information or other material herein is not to be construed as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Global AgInvesting and HighQuest Partners are not a fiduciary in any manner, and the reader assumes the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content on this site.