U.K.-based agtech company SugaROx, a spin-out from Oxford University and Rothamsted Research, is bringing precision biostimulants to farmers around the world. The company has locked in £1 million (US$1.35 million) in an extension of its seed round, adding further validation to its disruptive technology for crop biostimulants. Proceeds will be directed toward hastening the rollout of its crop-enhancing biostimulant, accelerating field trials and expanding its manufacturing capabilities.
Among the backers, Tampa, Florida-based Mosaic Company has committed £400,000, along with £600,000 from existing investors such as the U.K. Innovation & Science Seed Fund and Regenerate Ventures. The capital injection will facilitate SugaROx’s transition from lab-scale production to a pilot facility and enable large-scale trials to validate the technology in practical farming settings.
Biologicals are quickly becoming game-changers in farming, helping tackle tough crop challenges while ramping up harvests and protecting the planet. But they are not without their challenges, including a patchwork of local regulations as well as headwinds like unpredictable weather and soil conditions, not to mention a need to scale production without breaking the bank. Overcoming these bumps in the road will be key to unlocking their full potential for growers everywhere.
SugaROx’s biostimulants are based on Trehalose-6-Phosphate (T6P), a natural sugar signal that enhances crop yield and resilience. The company’s initial product focuses on wheat, with plans for a U.K. market entry in 2027 and EU expansion in 2028. Earlier this year, SugaROx introduced field trials in soybean and maize crops, setting its sights on U.S. and Brazilian market debuts soon.
SugaROx CEO Mark Robbins stated, “In response to increasing demand for product samples, we decided to accelerate our manufacturing timeline, fast‑tracking the shift from in‑house lab production to a pilot facility. The Innovate UK grant and additional investment allows us to do that. Our existing investors were quick to subscribe to the seed round extension, which we are delighted to complete with Mosaic as a strategic partner.”
SugaROx Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Cara Griffiths commented on LinkedIn, saying, “After 10 years of work taking this from lab bench to field, I’m proud to share this big step forward for SugaROx. From a molecule to a movement, I’m excited for what’s ahead as we bring precision biostimulants to farmers worldwide.”
SugaROx completed safety testing last year, paving the way for regulatory approval as its next milestone. With this new funding and strategic partnership with Mosaic, the company aims to show how biostimulants can improve yields while minimizing agriculture’s environmental impact. By 2050, global food production will need to rise significantly to meet growing demand, a challenge SugaROx aims to address through its crop innovations.
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