By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media
In a boost for sustainable agriculture, Nes Tziona, Israel-based IBI Ag, a pioneering crop protection company, has secured $10 million in Series A funding, representing the second and final tranche dedicated to its novel bioinsecticide platform. Launched in 2017, the company develops biological insecticides designed to give growers effective pest control in a sustainable way, offering alternatives to conventional methods that protect yields while reducing synthetic inputs.
Led by Corteva through its innovative Corteva Catalyst program, the round extended to other strategic and financial backers including The Trendlines Group through the Bayer Trendlines Ag Innovation Fund, Iron Nation, Consensus Business Group and a grant from the Israel Innovation Authority, rounded out by Bandera Capital and First Imagine Ventures. This backing positions IBI Ag to scale its platform and confront urgent challenges in global crop protection head-on.
The successful close of this Series A round is a coup for IBI Ag, securing critical funding amid the competitive landscape of crop protection innovations. It highlights growing validation of its antibody-based bioinsecticide platform, propelling it toward wider impact. Proceeds will support the accelerated development and regulatory progress of IBI Ag’s next-generation biological pest control solutions.
Of the fundraising, IBI Ag CEO Arnon Heyman stated, “We’re proud to have the continued confidence of our investors and to welcome Bandera Capital and First Imagine Ventures to the IBI Ag family. With the completion of our Series A, we are well positioned to bring our novel biological solutions closer to farmers worldwide, supporting both productivity and sustainability.”
Every year, pests wipe out as much as 40 percent of the world’s crops right in the fields, before they’re ever harvested, a massive hit to food supplies and economies around the world. But these losses aren’t well tracked, which makes it tough for decision-makers and investors to step in effectively. Meanwhile, issues like food waste after harvest or at the consumer level get plenty of spotlight, while the damage happening out in the fields often flies under the radar.
IBI Ag specializes in crop protection solutions from the vantage point that farms, crops, and the farmers who manage them come with their own unique needs, obstacles, and mission. The company is working on a wide variety of targeted bio-insect control solutions capable of helping growers achieve better yields in a cost-effective manner while protecting workers, consumers, and the environment.
IBI Ag’s technology harnesses single-domain antibodies, also known as nanobodies, to create precise, effective insect control in a sustainable way. These nanobodies latch onto essential proteins in harmful insects, disrupting their ability to feed or reproduce without affecting the wider ecosystem. As a result, the technology protects high-quality crops against common threats like sap-sucking aphids or foliage-chewing caterpillars with a minimal environmental impact while keeping essential species safe.
Tom Greene, senior director at Corteva and global leader for Corteva Catalyst, said, “The collaboration between IBI Ag and Corteva is a clear example of how working together can deliver innovation that increases performance and provides more sustainable solutions in crop protection. We are excited to continue exploring the development of next generation biologicals and naturally inspired solutions as IBI Ag advances toward commercialization.”
As IBI Ag advances its bioinsecticide platform with this fresh infusion of capital, the funding signals a broader shift toward sustainable solutions in agriculture, where innovation meets the pressing need to safeguard food production against escalating pest pressures. With a strong coalition of investors on board, the company is looking to bridge the gap between innovative science and practical farming, potentially reshaping how growers balance productivity, safety and sustainability for generations to come.
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.