Glaswegian agritech startup Solasta Bio has secured £10.7m to advance its innovative pest control technology. The company focuses on developing environmentally sustainable insecticides using biopeptides. Field trials have shown effective results comparable to conventional products. The investment round was led by Forbion with participation from several notable ventures. Since its inception, Solasta Bio has amassed $19m in total funding.
Glaswegian agritech startup, Solasta Bio, recently secured a significant investment of £10.7m to further progress its pioneering pest control technology. The company, which was founded in 2021, is dedicated to creating insecticides that are inspired by nature. By developing a peptide-based solution, Solasta Bio aims to eliminate the need for synthetic chemicals, thus providing an environmentally friendly alternative.
Solasta Bio has prioritised ecological sustainability by designing its product to target harmful pests exclusively, ensuring the safety of beneficial insects like bees. The company’s commitment to environmental preservation is reflected in the results of recent field trials, which have demonstrated that their biopeptides are as effective or even surpass the results of standard insecticides. These findings have been described as ‘hugely encouraging’ by co-founder and CEO, Shireen Davies.
The latest round of funding was spearheaded by Dutch venture capital firm, Forbion, through its BioEconomy fund. Additional contributions came from FMC Ventures, Corteva, Cavallo Ventures, Rubio Impact Ventures, Scottish Enterprise, UKi2S, SIS Ventures, and the University of Glasgow. With this influx of financial support, Solasta Bio is positioned to make significant strides in the crop protection market.
Partner at Forbion BioEconomy, Joy Faucher, commented on Solasta Bio’s potential to transform the industry, particularly as traditional insecticides face challenges such as resistance and negative impacts on biodiversity. Faucher highlighted the startup’s deep expertise in insect neuropeptide modalities and its robust technological platform, which provides a solid foundation for launching innovative products.
Since its creation, Solasta Bio has raised a total of $19m, showcasing a promising trajectory for the startup. The company previously raised £4m in April 2023, and with the latest capital influx, it is poised to redefine agricultural insecticides at a time when sustainable solutions are critically needed.
With substantial funding and innovative technology, Solasta Bio is well-equipped to lead a sustainable revolution in pest control.
