BioScout raises $4.8m to warn farmers of fungal threats before they strike
What's the deal? BioScoutDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, an Australian startup using AI-powered sensors to detect airborne fungal pathogens before crops show visible symptoms, has raised an A$6.75 million ($4.8 million) seed round. Demea Sustainable InvestmentDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Astanor VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → co-led the round, which also included GrainInnovateDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Artesian, Division QDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Hort InnovationDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and other backers.
Why now? BioScout will use the funding to expand in Europe and grow its sensor network from 250 to 1,000 units by 2029. Its devices capture airborne particles on adhesive tape, photograph them under a microscope and analyse the images with trained AI models, combining the results with weather data to estimate infection risk.
What it means. The company says early detection can help growers replace fixed-calendar fungicide spraying with more targeted interventions. BioScout has deployed its technology across multiple crops and markets, including Australia, Europe, South Africa, New Zealand and the US.
Read more: AgFunderNews
Image credit: BioScout
