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Published: 06-04-2018 16:44:00 | By: Nico Scherphuis | hits: 3869859 | Tags:









Indian agritech startup Fasal raises $12 million funding to grow its precision farming solution
Published: 12-01-2024 | 12:27:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Fasal's solution has already proven to improve crop yield and reduce operational costs at an affordable price to the individual farmer.






Israeli precision irrigation management startup Treetoscope closes $7m seed round to fuel growth
Published: 06-10-2023 | 12:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Treetoscope has closed $7m seed round.


Indigo Ag accelerates sustainability programs for farmers with $250m fundraise
Published: 19-09-2023 | 13:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Indigo Ag has raised $250m to drive innovation and sustainability.


50 African women to benefit from fellowship on agri food policies
Published: 15-09-2023 | 13:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
The two-year career development program aims to grow a pool of confident and capable mid-career African women to lead policy changes to improve African smallholders’ livelihoods, particularly women.


Ugandan Agritech startup Emata raises $2.4m seed funding
Published: 14-09-2023 | 11:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ugandan agritech startup Emata has raised $2.4 million in seed funding.


SatSure partners with Rabo Partnerships to revolutionize cash flow-based lending for smallholder farmers
Published: 28-07-2023 | 09:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SatSure announced partnership with Rabo.


Freiburg-based constellr secures new funding to springboard US expansion
Published: 26-07-2023 | 12:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
constellr has secured further investment to extend its seed round to a total of €17m.


Belgian agritech startup Aphea.bio raises €70m to accelerate growth
Published: 14-07-2023 | 16:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Aphea.Bio, a Belgium-based agricultural technology company, announced the closing of its Series C funding round.


Kenyan agritech startup Kyosk acquires KwikBasket, expands into fresh produce market
Published: 10-07-2023 | 11:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan agritech startup Kyosk, is expanding into the African fresh produce market.


Aigen unveils world's first AI-driven, solar-powered, agricultural robotics platform
Published: 03-07-2023 | 11:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Agritech startup Aigen, unveiled an autonomous, scalable robotics platform.


SK networks invests $2m in AI farming Dutch startup Source.ag
Published: 09-06-2023 | 11:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SK networks announced it will invest $2m Series A funding round of $27 million for Source.ag.


[Column] Nixon Gecheo: Agtech, a pivotal force driving climate change action in agriculture
Published: 05-06-2023 | 16:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The agricultural sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.


Absa acquires minority stake in South African agritech startup Khula!
Published: 18-05-2023 | 14:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Absa Bank has acquired a minority stake in South African agritech startup, Khula! 


UK biotech startup Resurrect Bio completes seed investment round to develop disease resistant crops
Published: 17-05-2023 | 13:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Resurrect Bio, a biotechnology startup which is on a mission to revolutionize the agricultural industry by giving crops the genetic tools to defend themselves against disease, has completed its seed investment round, totaling at £1.61 million.


Start-Up Nation Central collaborates with Microsoft to promote Israeli agri-food tech startups
Published: 16-05-2023 | 12:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Start-Up Nation Central has collaborated with Microsoft to promote Israeli agri-food tech startups in the international marketplace.


Innovate UK launches £100m AI Fund for UK business
Published: 09-05-2023 | 13:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, has unveiled BridgeAI, a new programme which aims to drive growth and competitiveness in the UK economy through the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). 


Denmark-based soil carbon startup Agreena raises €46m to scale the regenerative revolution
Published: 04-05-2023 | 10:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Denmark-based climate and fintech startup Agreena, whose soil carbon platform is one of the largest globally, announced its Series B raise of €46 million.


Factor[e] Ventures launches a new venture studio to transform the African startup ecosystem
Published: 23-03-2023 | 12:08:01 | By: Bob Koigi
Delta40 focuses on technology-driven energy, agriculture, and mobility ventures led by diverse, experienced founders.


AI crop analysis platform Inarix raises €3.1m seed funding to help farmers determine quality and value of their crops
Published: 14-03-2023 | 11:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Inarix, the AI-powered crop analysis platform, announced a €3.1 million seed round from Ankaa ventures, Label Investment, Newfund, Alliance for impact and Resiliance.


Elgon Kenya partners with Ministry of Agriculture to reward young farmers
Published: 23-02-2023 | 13:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Agro input company Elgon Kenya has partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Education to reward pupils and their teachers for participating in food production in a wider scheme that seeks to motivate school going children into farming.  


[Interview] David Galadima, Founder, Graemoh Foods, Nigeria
Published: 21-02-2023 | 10:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Passionate about sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and food security in Africa, David Galadima is the Founder of fast growing agriculture and processing company, Graemoh Foods, operating out of the northern state of Kaduna, Nigeria.


Agritech startup IngredientWerks announces successful completion of seed round funding
Published: 21-02-2023 | 10:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
IngredientWerks, an ag-tech ingredient company developing high value plant-based proteins for the alternative protein markets, announced it has secured its seed round of funding.


22 Milken-Motsepe Prize in AgriTech finalists push to the finish
Published: 03-02-2023 | 11:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation, kicked off the final phase of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AgriTech.


Catalyst Fund invests $2m in 10 startups to improve resilience to climate change in Africa
Published: 27-01-2023 | 11:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Pre-seed venture capital (VC) fund and accelerator Catalyst Fund, announced a $2 million investment in 10 startups developing solutions to improve the resilience of communities most vulnerable to climate change in Africa.


Irish agritech startup Proveye secures €1m seed funding to accelerate growth
Published: 26-01-2023 | 14:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Irish agritech startup Proveye, a pioneer in remote sensing image analysis for agriculture, announced the closing of €1 million seed funding round to advance the company’s growth strategy. 


Food Foundry accelerator announces fifth cohort of early-stage foodservice startups
Published: 23-01-2023 | 11:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Food Foundry, an accelerator program built by Relish Works and Gordon Food Service for early-stage startups disrupting the food and foodservice industry, announced the five startups that will join the fifth cohort starting in January 2023.


Agritech startup EarthOptics secures $27.6m Series B funding to advance data-driven agriculture through actionable soil insights
Published: 19-01-2023 | 09:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
EarthOptics, a pioneer in soil measurement and insights, announced a $27.6 million round of funding led by Conti Ventures.


Terramera creates enrichAg to commercialize transformative soil analysis platform with $6m from At One Ventures
Published: 16-01-2023 | 10:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Terramera announced the formation of its new majority-owned subsidiary, enrichAg, which will focus on commercializing its soil enrichment platform. The seed round is led with a $6 million investment from AOV.


John Deere announces 2023 startup collaborators
Published: 11-01-2023 | 10:59:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Deere & Company has released the names of eight companies chosen for its 2023 Startup Collaborator program.


Nigerian agritech startup Releaf secures $3.3m pre-Series A funding, unveils new technologies to drive profitability for consumer goods manufacturers
Published: 09-01-2023 | 10:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Releaf, a Nigerian agritech startup, has raised $3.3 million in an oversubscribed pre-Series A funding round.


Kenya to host sixth edition of continental agriculture expo
Published: 04-01-2023 | 09:30:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Kenya will host the 6th edition of Africa Agri Expo in February 2023 , endorsed by Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development aimed at bringing the entire agricultural value chain under one roof.


Mad Capital closes $4m seed round to finance the regenerative agriculture revolution
Published: 20-12-2022 | 11:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mad Capital, an impact-focused lender that offers equitable, flexible funding for organic and transitioning farmers, announced it has raised a $4 million Seed round, led by Trailhead Capital.


Agroforestry startup Propagate raises $10m Series A funding to accelerate growth
Published: 30-11-2022 | 13:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Propagate, a commercial agroforestry platform, has closed a $10 million Series A led by Belgium-based The Nest.


Kenya to host international poultry expo next year
Published: 22-11-2022 | 13:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Demand for poultry products is on the rise in Kenya driven by an emerging middle-class created in existing and new urban settlements as a result of devolution.


Kenyan agritech startup Stable Foods raises $600k funding to grow its climate smart smallholder platform
Published: 22-11-2022 | 10:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Stable Foods, a Kenyan agritech startup offering a host of solutions to small-scale farmers, has raised $600k funding round, to build out its climate smart smallholder food production platform.


Katapult launches startup accelerator in Kigali, Rwanda
Published: 14-11-2022 | 17:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Katapult Africa announced the launch of its Accelerator program in Kigali, Rwanda, welcoming 9 companies to the Katapult portfolio.


Cooperative Ventures announces first investment in agritech startup Sabanto to improve sustainability
Published: 07-11-2022 | 08:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cooperative Ventures, a venture capital fund formed by North America's agricultural cooperatives, announced its first investment in Sabanto, a hardware and software company.


Ugandan agritech startup Inputi receives investment to boost inputs distribution
Published: 14-10-2022 | 12:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ugandan agritech startup Inputi announced it received an investment funding to boost inputs distribution across the country.


FNHIC launches to invest $2.5b in startups improving hunger and health outcomes through food
Published: 28-09-2022 | 11:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
S2G Ventures, Food Systems for the Future and other partners launched the Food, Nutrition and Health Investor Coalition (FNHIC), a call to action to drive $2.5 billion in private investment.


Ghanaian agritech startup Farmerline raises $1.5m from Dutch investor Oikocredit
Published: 27-09-2022 | 15:59:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ghanaian agritech startup Farmerline announced the second close of a Pre-Series A investment raise with an additional $1.5 million investment from Dutch social impact investor Oikocredit.


Kenyan agricultural insurtech startup Pula appoints Michael Joseph as Board Chair
Published: 22-09-2022 | 10:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Former Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph has been appointed as Board Chair of a Kenyan agricultural insurtech startup Pula.


India's fruits and vegetables platform Sahyadri Farms raises €40m growth capital to support smallholder farmers
Published: 19-09-2022 | 09:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
India's integrated platform for fruits and vegetables Sahyadri Farms has raised  €40 million growth capital from a group of impact-focused investors; Incofin, Korys, FMO and Proparco.


Industrial automation and agritech startup Agtonomy closes seed III funding round
Published: 16-09-2022 | 11:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Agtonomy, a cutting-edge software and service agritech startup, announced the successful closing of another round of funding for a total investment of $13.5 million.


FMO partners with SBC AfriTech to support next generation of early-stage African tech startups
Published: 30-08-2022 | 13:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
FMO has partnered with a pan-African tech accelerator, Startupbootcamp (SBC) AfriTech, for the third installment of the Africa Startup Initiative Accelerator Program which is designed to scout skill and scale early-stage tech startups in Africa.


[Startup Interview] Alfiya Kayumova, CEO and co-founder, Green Growth, USA
Published: 24-08-2022 | 15:16:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Green Growth is a US-based agritech startup that runs a software and hardware-based solution consisting of a set of sensors, combined in a single infrastructure.


Canadian startup Vive Crop Protection closes $26m funding round to accelerate its precision chemistry platform
Published: 22-08-2022 | 13:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vive Crop Protection announced the close of $26 million Series C investment round, led by Emmertech with participation from the Cibus funds, and existing investors Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).


BASF Venture Capital and Dutch-based Aqua-Spark invest in Sea6 Energy as part of Series B financing round
Published: 19-08-2022 | 11:32:53 | By: Pie Kamau
BASF Venture Capital, the corporate venture company of BASF SE, Germany, and Aqua-Spark, a Dutch investment fund focusing on the global aquaculture industry, are investing in Sea6 Energy as part of a Series B round.


Kenyan agritech startup IProcure secures $10.2m Series B funding to accelerate growth
Published: 19-08-2022 | 10:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
iProcure, Africa’s tech and data-driven agricultural inputs supply company, announced the close of a $10.2 million Series B funding round that raised debt and equity from a diverse group of international investors.


South African agritech disruptor AgriKool drives down food costs for consumers, increases profits for farmers
Published: 15-08-2022 | 12:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
AgriKool, a South African e-trading platform, is connecting agricultural producers to buyers to facilitate the sale of products between retailers and farmers.


Agritech startup Lumo raises $2.1m to tackle the global water insecurity crisis
Published: 25-07-2022 | 13:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lumo, a new agritech company focused on water sustainability, announced it has raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding and plans to allocate funds toward commercialization of its irrigation technology.


Uganda entrepreneurs bet on fish project to boost incomes
Published: 04-07-2022 | 12:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
To help communities reduce their post-harvest losses and access a more reliable supply of processed fish products.


EuraTechnologies raises €24m to back deep tech startups, open 10 incubators in Eastern Europe
Published: 24-06-2022 | 11:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
EuraTechnologies announced the raising of €24 million to back deep tech startups and open 10 incubators in Eastern Europe.


AfricArena partners with FMO to accelerate tech startups in Ghana, Morocco and Tanzania
Published: 15-06-2022 | 11:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
AfricArena, the African series of tech events, announced a partnership with FMO Ventures Program, the Rise Open Innovation Challenge, which focuses on accelerating the growth of startups looking to improve the state of Africa.


German agritech startup CROP.ZONE secures $11m equity funding to expand to new international markets
Published: 13-06-2022 | 14:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Aachen-based integrated weed management startup CROP.ZONE announced it has secured $11m equity funding from existing shareholders and new financial investors.


CerraCap Ventures invests in soil microbiome focused agritech startup Solena
Published: 13-06-2022 | 13:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CerraCap Ventures, a Global Venture Capital fund headquartered in Southern California, announced an investment in Solena AG, a soil microbiome startup helping farmers improve agricultural yields and optimize agrarian input costs.


Decarbon8 investment opportunity open for agritech innovation and decarbonization startups
Published: 13-06-2022 | 12:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Decarbon8 Fund, an impact investment vehicle established by the E8 climate tech investing community and platform, announced a new Request for Proposal (RFP) for companies advancing regenerative agriculture solutions.


Crop tech startup moa raises $44m Series B financing to progress new generation of safe and sustainable crop protection products
Published: 31-05-2022 | 11:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
moa Technology, the crop protection discovery company that is revolutionizing the future of weed control in agriculture, announced it has secured $44 million in Series B financing.


Irish agritech startup CropSafe raises $3m seed funding to support farmers globally, opens U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles
Published: 24-05-2022 | 15:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Irish agritech startup CropSafe, a platform revolutionizing the future of farming, announced it raised over $3 million in seed funding and have opened U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles.


Israeli agritech startup Seed-X partners with Advanta Seeds to improve seed lot quality
Published: 16-05-2022 | 14:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Seed-X, an innovative AI-driven Agritech company, and Advanta Seeds, a UPL group company, are joining forces to apply new technology in seed processing.


Solana-based DeFi startup Delta One raises $9.1m to build 'set-and-forget' yield farming protocol
Published: 22-04-2022 | 14:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Delta One, a Solana-based DeFi protocol, announced it raised $9.1 million seed round led by Alameda Research and Ship Capital, with participation from Solana Ventures.


French insect farming startup Ÿnsect acquires Nebraska-based Jord Producers to open first mealworm farm in the US
Published: 30-03-2022 | 11:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Jord Producers, based in Nebraska, has been incorporated into Ÿnsect’s production portfolio, signifying the global leader’s entry into North American mealworm production.


[Kenya] Applications for 5th cohort of Standard Chartered Bank's Women in Tech program open
Published: 10-03-2022 | 15:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Standard Chartered Bank has opened applications for the 5th cohort of its Women in Tech incubator program.


Soil water sensors, detectors to the rescue of Mozambique farmers
Published: 18-02-2022 | 10:02:00 | By: Bob Koigi
More than 3 million smallholder farmers contribute 95% of Mozambique’s agricultural production.


Gender and social dynamics in smallholder groundnuts commercialisation in Southern Africa
Published: 10-02-2022 | 13:45:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Following these insights, expert commentator Kezia Batisai, Associate Professor at the University of Johannesburg, highlighted key shifts required to support agricultural transformation in the region.


Agribusiness e-Commerce startup Agrizon receives investment to expand operations in Latin America
Published: 08-02-2022 | 12:59:51 | By: Pie Kamau
Agrizon, a specialized cross-border e-Commerce company that connects and delivers worldwide brands of ag inputs to farmers and businesses, has received investment from Latin Leap Venture Capital Studio to expand operations in Latin America.


Solar-powered robotics startup Aigen raises $4m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 19-01-2022 | 12:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Aigen, a company developing a scalable, solar-powered robotics platform for agriculture and soil regeneration, raised a $4 million seed round led by NEA with participation from AgFunder, Global Founders Capital, and ReGen Ventures.


Israel tech startups raised $25.4 billion in 2021, report
Published: 03-01-2022 | 09:54:13 | By: Bob Koigi
The unprecedented figure represents a 136% increase over last year, which concluded with a full-year total of $10.8 billion raised.


Israeli agritech startup Greeneye Technology raises $22 million funding to grow its offerings
Published: 03-01-2022 | 09:40:12 | By: Bob Koigi
Greeneye has developed proprietary AI-enabled precision spraying technology that enables farmers to seamlessly transition from this hugely inefficient practice to precise application of herbicides and other chemicals.


African scientists make a case for home grown research on continent’s food systems
Published: 24-12-2021 | 12:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
A storytelling event organized by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), saw four accomplished African researchers working on agriculture and food security share their personal journeys in agricultural research, and discuss how they are working to transform farming on the continent.


The University of Nairobi and Elgon Kenya to develop agriculture technology and innovation centre
Published: 17-12-2021 | 17:40:11 | By: Bob Koigi
The agriculture sector in Kenya has received a major boost following a partnership between two leading institutions to set up a technology and innovation centre, the first of its kind in East Africa.


Kenyan smallholder farmers insulated from weather vagaries by picture-based insurance
Published: 14-12-2021 | 12:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
A climate-smart crop insurance scheme introduced in Kenya has come to their rescue by combining satellite data and smartphone imagery to provide farmers with much needed protection.


Biotech startup Tiamat Sciences raises $3m to manufacture plant-based biomolecules
Published: 25-11-2021 | 10:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Biotechnology startup Tiamat Sciences announced its $3 million seed financing round led by Silicon Valley venture capital firm True Ventures with participation from Social Impact Capital and Cantos.


Agritech startup FarmSense receives $2.2m SBIR funding for development of biosecurity measures against native and invasive pests
Published: 24-11-2021 | 08:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
FarmSense, the agritech startup and creator of Smart Flight Sensors, announced it has been awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funds in the amount of more than $2.2 million.


Kigali-based agriculture startup AflaSight, partners launch innovative projects to improve maize quality in Rwanda
Published: 24-11-2021 | 07:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The World Food Programme, IFC, Kigali-based agriculture startup AflaSight, and research firm Vanguard Economics launched innovative projects to help farmers and grain traders reduce the prevalence of aflatoxins in crops and grains in Rwanda.


GROWMARK and CHS launch Cooperative Ventures to drive technology advancements for agritech startups
Published: 18-11-2021 | 10:20:41 | By: Pie Kamau
GROWMARK and CHS announced the formation of Cooperative Ventures, a new capital fund that will focus on creating advancements in breakthrough technologies for the agriculture industry.


GrowMark and CHS unveil a new capital fund targeted at agtech startups
Published: 17-11-2021 | 17:05:27 | By: Bob Koigi
Agricultural cooperative firm GrowMark and global agribusiness company CHS have announced the formation of Cooperative Ventures, a new capital fund that will focus on creating advancements in breakthrough technologies for the agriculture industry.


Indian full-stack agritech startup DeHaat raises $115m Series D round
Published: 03-11-2021 | 12:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DeHaat, the technology-based platform offering end-to-end agricultural services to farmers in India, announced it has raised $115 million in Series D funding, led by Belgium based investment firm Sofina and Lightrock India.


JICA kicks off 2nd Cohort of its NINJA Accelerator in Kenya
Published: 28-10-2021 | 16:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The NINJA Accelerator in Kenya, powered by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with Double Feather Partners, Deloitte Tohmatsu and Kenyan implementation partner GrowthAfrica, is kicking off its 2nd cohort with five tech-enabled Kenyan startups.


North Carolina's SAS and Pappas Capital partner to propel agritech startups with analytics
Published: 21-10-2021 | 13:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Two North Carolina companies, analytics leader SAS and venture investment firm Pappas Capital, are joining forces to help advance the state as a global leader in agricultural technology.


Google selects nine Kenyan startups to receive equity-free funding via its Africa Investment Fund
Published: 19-10-2021 | 07:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
During its very first “Google for Africa” event held early this month, Google announced it will be investing up to $50 million in African early- and growth-stage startups via its Africa Investment Fund.


Start-Up Nation Central signs MoU with TiE to boost technological innovation of Israeli and Indian startups
Published: 07-10-2021 | 11:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Israeli not-for-profit Start-Up Nation Central signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TiE to achieve full implementation of sustainable Israeli and Indian technologies in the foodtech sector.


Canadian precision-farming startup Semios raises $100m in capital to expand agtech platform globally
Published: 29-09-2021 | 13:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Semios, a precision-farming platform and one of the world's largest independent agtech solutions providers, announced it has raised $100 million in funding led by Morningside Group, a Boston-based private equity and venture capital firm.


Industrial automation startup Agtonomy launches out of stealth to address farm labor crisis with $4m seed round
Published: 24-09-2021 | 13:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Agtonomy, a hybrid autonomy and tele-assist service platform, launched out of stealth and announced a $4 million seed round from Grit Ventures, GV (formerly Google Ventures), and Village Global.


Nigerian agritech startup Releaf secures $4.2m funding to drive industrialisation of food processing in Africa
Published: 16-09-2021 | 13:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigeria's agritech startup Releaf, which develops proprietary hardware and software solutions to industrialize food processing, raised $2.7 million in seed funding and grants.


Foodtech startup GrubMarket acquires Bartolotta, further expands in Eastern US and Canada
Published: 07-09-2021 | 16:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Food technology startup GrubMarket announced it has completed the acquisition of Bartolotta, a full-service provider of fresh fruits and vegetables to customers in New England, the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern Canada.


Jiddu acquires CerraCap Ventures portfolio company Nirveda Cognition
Published: 13-08-2021 | 13:44:58 | By: Pie Kamau
CerraCap Ventures, a Global Venture Capital fund, announced acquisition of its portfolio company Nirveda Cognition by Jiddu Inc for an all-stock deal. The transaction is one of a slew of recent exits from CerraCap's investment fund.


John Deere acquires agritech startup Bear Flag Robotics to accelerate autonomous technology on the farm
Published: 06-08-2021 | 13:49:56 | By: Pie Kamau
Deere & Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire agritech startup Bear Flag Robotics for $250 million. Founded in 2017, the Silicon Valley-based startup develops autonomous driving technology compatible with existing machines.


Tech executive Mark Bregman launches Quidnet Ventures, a venture capital fund based in New Zealand
Published: 03-08-2021 | 12:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mark Bregman, a successful tech executive and entrepreneur, has launched Quidnet Ventures, a venture capital fund based in New Zealand and operated out of New Zealand, San Francisco and New York City.


UN announces 50 best small business winners providing “Good Food for All”
Published: 27-07-2021 | 11:31:35 | By: Bob Koigi
Fifty small- and medium-sized enterprises around the world have been announced as the Best Small Businesses of the “Good Food for All” competition, held in conjunction with the UN Food Systems Summit.


Agritech startup Adaviv raises $2.3m seed round to scale its AI-driven plant intelligence platform for indoor farming
Published: 21-07-2021 | 13:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Adaviv, a cultivation technology company surfacing actionable insights for Controlled Environment Agriculture, announced the raise of $2.3 million in an oversubscribed Series Seed financing led by Delta Emerald Ventures.


Agritech startup GrowFlux selected to join Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator program
Published: 14-07-2021 | 12:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, a technology incubator and platform funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation, has selected GrowFlux and four other startups to participate in the program's ninth cohort.


Forum advocates for collaboration to strengthen African food systems
Published: 13-07-2021 | 11:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Speaking during the Alliance for a Green Revoluton in Africa (AGRA) organized Africa Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) Summit, speakers reiterated that food security cannot be achieved without a gvernment facilitated enabling environemnt for agribusiness to thrive.


Mobility startup NeXt unveils iFLY, a planet-friendly personal air vehicle for the masses
Published: 12-07-2021 | 15:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
NeXt, an advanced air mobility startup unveiled iFLY, an all-new, all-electric vertical takeoff and landing personal air vehicle created for safe, convenient and planet-friendly transportation.


Seoul-based edtech startup Mathpresso secures $50 million in Series C funding
Published: 02-07-2021 | 13:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Seoul-based edtech startup Mathpresso announced it has raised $50 million in a Series C funding round last week, bringing the company's total funding to $105 million.


Canadian space-tech startup SkyWatch partners with Wyvern to deliver next-gen earth observation data
Published: 30-06-2021 | 16:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SkyWatch Space Applications, a Waterloo-based space technology startup, signed an agreement to deliver data management capabilities to Wyvern, a commercial space data company headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.


STAGERIE startup launches first national online home staging marketplace
Published: 30-06-2021 | 16:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Stagerie has launched the first national online home staging consultation marketplace, connecting real estate agents, homeowners, and expert stagers.


Pittsburgh-based startup Moonstone Nutrition launches alkali citrate capsules for kidney health support
Published: 30-06-2021 | 16:05:16 | By: Pie Kamau
Moonstone Nutrition, a Pittsburgh-based startup, has added capsules to its kidney health product line. Moonstone's patented alkali citrate formula was created by top kidney doctors with ingredients known to prevent the formation of kidney stones.


NYC creator economy startup Pietra raises $15m to champion creators, streamline entrepreneurship
Published: 30-06-2021 | 15:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Pietra, the new platform that gives Creators the tools to bring an idea for a product line or brand to life from start to finish, today announced it has raised $15 million in a Series A funding round.


Boston-based startup Mombox acquires WellNested to provide full suite of postnatal care services
Published: 30-06-2021 | 15:35:10 | By: Pie Kamau
D2C postnatal care company, Mombox, announced its acquisition of WellNested, a Boston-based technology solution company designed to help new parents find and book quality and affordable postnatal care services.


AI startup LLENA (AI) partners with Southern University to support (USDA/NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
Published: 29-06-2021 | 14:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
LLENA (AI) Health Solutions, announced a partnership with Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to support their "Center of Excellence for Nutrition, Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life" initiative to address diet-related health disparities.


Food and beverage tech startup Botrista closes $10m Series A to make craft beverages accessible via robotic automation
Published: 29-06-2021 | 14:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Botrista Technology, a company revolutionizing the beverage industry with the Botrista DrinkBot, announced it has raised $10 million in a Series A funding.


Tokyo-based AI startup Attuned launches writer fellowship on Substack
Published: 29-06-2021 | 13:52:39 | By: Pie Kamau
Attuned, a Tokyo-based tech startup that uses psychology and AI to track intrinsic motivation and boost employee engagement, announced the launch of a global writing competition on digital newsletter-publishing platform Substack.


South African delivery startup Picup introduces premium driver network for businesses
Published: 29-06-2021 | 13:34:02 | By: Pie Kamau
South Africa's crowdsource delivery tech startup Picup has introduced a premium service aimed at businesses that require drivers to represent their brand.


Catalyst Fund announces Circle of Corporate Innovators to accelerate startup-corporate partnerships
Published: 29-06-2021 | 13:23:16 | By: Pie Kamau
Global inclusive tech accelerator Catalyst Fund, managed by BFA Global, today formally announced its Circle of Corporate Innovators, with its first members, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank, Sterling Bank, Access Bank and the VFD Group.


IFC supports early-stage technology startups in Central and Southeast Europe
Published: 28-06-2021 | 08:19:31 | By: Pie Kamau
Early-stage technology startups in Central and Southeast Europe will have improved access to finance, in the wake of an investment by IFC that aims to support the region's potential to foster technology development and application.


Female-founded wellness startup House of Wise raises $2m, launches full line of organic CBD products
Published: 25-06-2021 | 12:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
New female-founded CBD brand House of Wise announced a $2 million seed funding round to improve the lives of women everywhere through community, content, and trustworthy CBD products.


Flats or Spikes startup raises more than $900K to scale next-generation running platform
Published: 25-06-2021 | 11:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Flats or Spikes raised more than $900K to revolutionize data capture and data science for distance runners on Cross Country, Track and Field, road racing, and professional endurance sports teams in a Pre-Seed round of financing.


Toronto-based multifamily proptech startup Yuhu launches in the US
Published: 25-06-2021 | 11:33:54 | By: Pie Kamau
Toronto-based multifamily proptech startup Yuhu announced a market entrance into the U.S. operations technology marketplace, offering their unique co-innovative property management software solution to owners and managers across the United States.


Neurotech startup Humm launches public beta for world's first consumer, learnable
Published: 25-06-2021 | 11:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
humm, a neurotech company focused on helping people learn throughout their lives, launched a public beta for the world's first consumer, learnable - a noninvasive wearable that's clinically proven to improve your ability to learn.


Seattle based healthtech startup bttn. raises $1.5m to automate the future of medical supply
Published: 25-06-2021 | 11:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Healthtech startup bttn. closed a $1.5 million seed round from a group of technology and supply chain leaders.


GG4L acquires edtech startup Stackup
Published: 24-06-2021 | 13:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Global Grid for Learning (GG4L), announced the acquisition of Stackup, an edtech startup with a focus on learning outcomes in K-12 education.


Tech startup Drata raises $25m Series A to accelerate rapid growth of its security and compliance automation platform
Published: 24-06-2021 | 13:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Drata, a next-gen security and compliance automation company, announced $25 million in Series A funding led by GGV Capital. The new financing comes six months after the company's initial seed round and launch out of stealth.


Medtech startup Mon Health wins ECRI achievement award for technology innovation collaboration
Published: 24-06-2021 | 13:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ECRI, an independent, nonprofit organization improving the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of care across all healthcare settings, named Mon Health System of Morgantown, West Virginia, the winner of its 15th Health Devices Achievement Award.


Tech startup COSMO Technologies secures funding, announces new product launch
Published: 24-06-2021 | 12:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
COSMO Technologies, a first-of-its-kind family technology design and manufacturing company, announced the closing of its Pre-Seed funding round.


Monetized social media startup fanbase to debut new short form video / music editor
Published: 24-06-2021 | 12:20:14 | By: Pie Kamau
Fanbase, the subscription-based social platform that empowers any user to monetize their content, unveiled plans to roll out a new, short form video and music editor function.


Cybersecurity startup Hive Pro secures $3m in seed funding
Published: 23-06-2021 | 14:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Silicon Valley-based Hive Pro, creator of Predictive Vulnerability Analytics (PVA), announced it has closed $3 million in seed financing led by Simpra Holdings.


B2B news wire startup Zenger raises $10m in Series Seed funding round
Published: 23-06-2021 | 14:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
World's first digitally native wire service, Zenger News, announced it has closed a Series Seed round, raising $10 million. The investment is being used to enhance Zenger's propriety software and onboard an ever-growing number of news outlets.


TycoonInvest launches platform for general public to invest in startups and small businesses
Published: 23-06-2021 | 14:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TycoonInvest announced the launch of a platform for the general public to invest in startups and small businesses.


Israeli foodtech startup Better Juice raises $8m in seed funding
Published: 23-06-2021 | 13:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Israeli foodtech startup Better Juice, the first company to reduce all sugars from natural juices, announced it has raised $8 million in seed-round investment.


bp invests $7m in electric vehicle charging startup IoTecha
Published: 23-06-2021 | 10:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
bp ventures has invested $7million in smart electric vehicle (EV) charging firm, IoTecha, leading a $13.2 million investment round.


Cannabis marketplace and purchasing platform MainStem named Microsoft Partner for Startups
Published: 22-06-2021 | 13:55:04 | By: Pie Kamau
MainStem, the cannabis industry's only marketplace and combined integrated purchasing platform, announced it has been selected as a Microsoft Partner for Startups.


Venture capital firm MetaProp closes $100m Fund III for investment in early-stage proptech startups
Published: 22-06-2021 | 13:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MetaProp, the New York-based proptech venture capital firm, announced the closing of its latest real estate technology seed fund, for investment in early-stage proptech startups.


Ivory Coast transport startup Moja Ride partners with O-CITY for its next phase of growth in mobility innovation
Published: 22-06-2021 | 13:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Moja Ride, an Ivorian startup providing a reservation and cashless payment system for transport services in Abidjan, has partnered with O-CITY for its next phase of digital innovation and future expansion.


Ethiopian-based startup Gabeya launches its revamped marketplace
Published: 22-06-2021 | 12:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Gabeya, the Pan-African source for freelance professional talent, has expanded its revamped marketplace, the first of its kind in terms of reach in Africa.


Kenyan insurtech startups benefit from IRA, Prudential innovation hub
Published: 22-06-2021 | 12:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Three Kenyan insurtech startups each received Ksh 1.25 million in cash awards from an innovation hub steered by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) in collaboration with Prudential Life Assurance and other partners, to promote insurance inclusivity.


Predictive Kids' e-Commerce startup Ten Little raises $5m to disrupt children's marketplace with personalized guidance
Published: 18-06-2021 | 13:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ten Little, the predictive e-Commerce platform helping parents navigate the cluttered kids product space, announced the close of its $5 million seed round led by Kindred Ventures.


SynFutures startup raises $14m Series A funding to democratize derivative markets
Published: 18-06-2021 | 12:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Decentralized derivatives exchange SynFutures, announced the close of a $14 million Series A round of financing led by Polychain Capital with participation from Framework, Pantera Capital, Bybit, Wintermute, CMS, Kronos, and IOSG Ventures.


Farmtech startup Iron Ox hires first CFO, Head of Marketing as company prepares for growth
Published: 18-06-2021 | 12:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Iron Ox, a farming innovation company with deep expertise in robotics and artificial intelligence, hired its first Chief Financial Officer and its first Head of Marketing as the company accelerates growth and expands its commercial footprint.


Banking as a service startup Unit raises $51m Series B funding to expand the team, accelerate growth
Published: 18-06-2021 | 12:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Unit, the banking-as-a-service startup that empowers companies to embed financial services into their products, announced it has raised a $51 million Series B led by Accel.


MarketForce acquires Digiduka startup to consolidate distribution of consumer goods with digital financial services in Africa
Published: 18-06-2021 | 12:08:43 | By: Pie Kamau
MarketForce, the end-to-end retail distribution platform for consumer brands in Africa, announced the strategic acquisition of Digiduka, a startup on a mission to bring informal retailers in Africa into the digital economy.


B9 raises $1.7m in pre-seed round to launch fintech platform to deliver full suite of personal financial services
Published: 17-06-2021 | 14:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Fintech startup B9 Inc., announced it is launching a full suite of app-based financial services. The company raised $1.7 million in an ongoing pre-seed funding round and is building out a platform to address the needs of a huge market of potential customers.


Women's wellness startup Kindra raises $4.5m seed round to drive continued growth and expansion
Published: 17-06-2021 | 13:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kindra, a modern wellness brand for menopause essentials, announced it closed a $4.5 million seed funding round. The new capital will be used to drive the continued growth and expansion of Kindra.


Israeli mobility investment startup Bringg completes $100m Series E investment round
Published: 17-06-2021 | 13:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ituran Location and Control announced its successful early-stage mobility technology holding, Bringg, completed Series E investment round of $100 million. Following the round, Ituran's undiluted holdings are 17.2%.


Brazilian logtech startup Uello concludes $4m Series A investment deal led by the Btomorrow Ventures
Published: 17-06-2021 | 12:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Uello, a Brazilian logtech startup that uses technology and a collaborative network to provide express freight services with superior experience, concluded its Series A investment deal with an investment injection of $4 million.


London-based fintech startup ShareVision raises $2.1m seed for 24/7 streaming platform
Published: 17-06-2021 | 12:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ShareVision raised $2.1 million in seed funding to scale its financial streaming platform, where both businesses and consumers are streaming content on the stock market, economical updates and financial education.


Home design startup Yellowpop raises $4m Series A funding to continue its global expansion
Published: 16-06-2021 | 11:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Yellowpop, the home brand specializing in LED neon signs announced the closure of $4 million in Series A funding. Yellowpop plans to utilize the capital to continue its global expansion through 2021 and further develop as a lifestyle and home brand.


Canadian Esplanade Healthtech Ventures closes oversubscribed inaugural digital health fund
Published: 16-06-2021 | 11:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Esplanade HealthTech Ventures (Esplanade or the Fund), announced the closing of its oversubscribed inaugural venture fund, Esplanade HealthTech Ventures I (Fund I), with commitments totaling more than C$21 million.


Pegasus acquires early-stage venture capital firm Garage Technology Ventures
Published: 16-06-2021 | 11:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Pegasus Tech Ventures (Pegasus), a global venture capital firm managing over $1.5 billion in assets, has acquired seed and early-stage venture capital firm Garage Technology Ventures, based in Palo Alto.


Sustainability-focused pet care startup Petaluma launches plant-based diet for dogs
Published: 16-06-2021 | 11:10:48 | By: Pie Kamau
Petaluma, Inc., a pet care startup focused on sustainability, launched the world's first baked and plant-based formula for adult dogs of all breeds. The company's mission is to offer environmentally responsible diets that meet 100% of a dog's nutritional requirements.


SaaS startup Synder raises $2m in late seed round to revolutionize accounting for e-Commerce
Published: 16-06-2021 | 10:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TMT investments venture fund invested $2 million as a lead investor in a late seed round into Synder, an easy accounting solution for e-Commerce businesses.


Healthtech startup BASMA.com raises $3m Series A round to scale up its platform in the MENA region
Published: 16-06-2021 | 10:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
UK-based, MENA focused, startup BASMA.com closed $3 million Series A funding led by MEVP with the participation of SOSF, IM capital and returning investors iSME, Cedar Mundi Ventures and IFA capital, to scale up its healthtech platform in the MENA region.


Arrington Capital launches $100m fund to invest in Algorand-based initiatives
Published: 11-06-2021 | 15:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Arrington Capital, a digital asset management firm in blockchain-based capital markets announced it has launched a new $100 million fund to support initiatives building on Algorand, a blockchain accelerating the convergence of decentralized and traditional finance.


Creator economy startup Koji launches New Link in Bio app, Media Wall
Published: 11-06-2021 | 15:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Koji, world's Link in Bio tool for the Creator Economy, announced the launch of Media Wall, a new Link in Bio app that gives Creators the ability to curate, organize and showcase a timeline of content to share with their audience.


Floral tech startup Something Borrowed Blooms raises $1.5m Series A funding to accelerate growth
Published: 11-06-2021 | 15:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Something Borrowed Blooms, the pioneer of the silk wedding flower revolution, announced a $1.5 million Series A funding round led by Callais Capital. This investment brings the total raise by the company to just over $2 million since 2015.


Food startup OZO expands plant-based proteins to international retail starting in Canada
Published: 11-06-2021 | 14:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Planterra Foods, an innovative plant-based protein startup based in Colorado, announced a supply agreement with UNFI Canada, a subsidiary of UNFI, the largest publicly traded grocery distributor in North America.


The Startup Squad creates ultimate business plan for kids
Published: 11-06-2021 | 14:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Startup Squad, the go-to book series and digital platform for aspiring young girlpreneurs, released the "Startup Roadmap," a free, comprehensive business plan template for kids.


Cirona Labs startup raises $1.5m in oversubscribed seed round for expansion
Published: 09-06-2021 | 16:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cirona Labs, a premier innovator in cannabinoids and other functional botanical ingredient manufacturing, announced that it closed an oversubscribed $1.5 million seed round led by LiDestri Food & Drink, BevSource, and Sweetener Supply.


California staffing startup Recruit Gigs announces new acquisitions and expansion
Published: 09-06-2021 | 16:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Armando Avila, CEO of the staffing company startup, Recruit Gigs, LLC has purchased Crestaff, LLC and Restoration Staffing Exchange, DBA California Labor Force.


Huobi launches incubator program to provide assets, resources and guidance for startups
Published: 09-06-2021 | 16:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Huobi Group, a world cryptocurrency and blockchain company, announced the initiation of its incubator program, Huobi X Center, who's goal is to empower startups by providing customers a range of resources.


Workflow management startup MaintainX raises $50m to accelerate revenue growth
Published: 09-06-2021 | 15:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MaintainX, the mobile-first workflow management platform for industrial and frontline workers, announced a $39 million Series B round led by Bessemer Venture Partners.


Creator economy startup Koji launches brand partnership app, Sponsor Quiz
Published: 09-06-2021 | 15:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Koji, the world's powerful Link in Bio tool for the Creator Economy, announced the launch of its newest Link in Bio app, Sponsor Quiz.


B2B AI-driven startup MetaSpark secures initial seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 08-06-2021 | 13:26:41 | By: Pie Kamau
MetaSpark, a B2B AI-Driven Productivity Hub SaaS platform for enterprises, announced the closing of an initial seed round of funding. The funding was secured from an undisclosed partner and is the first round of funding raised by the company.


QIMA acquires stake in London-based supply chain resiliency startup Kavida.ai
Published: 08-06-2021 | 13:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
QIMA, the provider of quality control and supply chain compliance solutions, announced it has invested in Kavida.ai, a London-based startup that builds supply chain digital replicas and uses artificial intelligence.


Silicon Prairie startup Loophire raises $300K seed round to disrupt the recruitment industry
Published: 08-06-2021 | 12:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Silicon Prairie startup Loophire, announced it secured $300K seed round to disrupt the recruitment industry, currently dominated by outdated processes.


Speedaf express completes Round A+ financing to build China-Africa express brand
Published: 08-06-2021 | 12:32:54 | By: Pie Kamau
Speedaf express, a China-Africa integrated logistics service provider, officially announced the completion of its Round A+ financing, led by TRUSTBRIDGE, followed by Northern Light VENTURE CAPITAL, and VISION+CAPITAL on the basis of Round A.


IFC launches program to support startups expand across the Maghreb region
Published: 08-06-2021 | 12:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
IFC launched a new advisory program aimed at making it easier for startups in Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia, expand their operations across North Africa.


XLIO Ventures closes $53m funding facility
Published: 07-06-2021 | 15:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
XLIO Ventures, with offices in London, Seattle, New York, Tel Aviv, and Sao Paulo announced the closing of $53 million funding facility to back an expanding roster of the Made-to-Order Startups it creates for its enterprise technology customers.


Toyota AI Ventures rebrands as Toyota Ventures, adds $300m to invest in emerging technologies and carbon neutrality
Published: 07-06-2021 | 14:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Toyota's first standalone, early-stage venture capital firm, Toyota AI Ventures, will change its name to Toyota Ventures and grow its total assets under management to more than $500 million with the addition of two $150 million early-stage funds.


Blockchain startup Candela Coin develops solar powered eco-friendly cryptocurrency mining protocol
Published: 07-06-2021 | 14:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Candela Coin, a cryptocurrency that allows holders to take part in the first ever decentralized blockchain based peer-to-peer transactive solar energy system, has developed a solar powered eco-friendly cryptocurrency mining protocol.


Moroccan Digital Development Agency, GrowIN Portugal launch initiative to support startups internationalization
Published: 07-06-2021 | 14:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Moroccan Digital Development Agency (ADD) and GrowIN Portugal have launched an initiative to support Moroccan and Portuguese startups internationalization by signing a strategic agreement.


London-based workplace ethics & compliance startup Vault Platform secures $8.2m in Series A funding
Published: 07-06-2021 | 14:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vault Platform, the pioneering workplace ethics & compliance platform, has closed an $8.2 million Series A funding round to service demand from its fast-growing client base, drive Artificial Intelligence technology for misconduct reporting and expand its team.


Hibob acquires workplace relationships analytics startup Cassiopeia
Published: 04-06-2021 | 10:50:06 | By: Pie Kamau
Hibob, the company behind the innovative HCM platform bob, announced its acquisition of Cassiopeia, a startup that developed AI-based workplace relationship analytics technology to help teams improve communication.


Fintech startup The Beans announces $2m in funding to simplify the path to financial success
Published: 04-06-2021 | 10:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Beans, a financial technology startup built for America's Caring Class, announced $2 million in funding, led by Precursor Ventures.


Blockchain startup CiSApp to launch next gen social network
Published: 04-06-2021 | 09:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
These days all the biggest social media platforms leave little to be desired due in no small part to rampant agenda-driven censorship, profit-driven privacy invasion and rampant use of fake accounts bent on selling sex or committing fraud.


Voice-enabled healthtech startup HandsFree Health joins Microsoft for Startups program
Published: 04-06-2021 | 09:26:44 | By: Pie Kamau
HandsFree Health, provider of WellBe, a secure, HIPAA compliant, voice-enabled virtual health assistant platform, has been selected to join the Microsoft for Startups program.


Startup STOW IT partners with airport parking operators to offer long-term travelers monthly parking at airports around the US
Published: 04-06-2021 | 09:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Set up and designed for long-term and monthly travelers, startup STOW IT has partnered with airport parking operators to offer the cheapest monthly rates at over 20 airports around the US, making long-term airport parking an easy option.


Kenya's Industrialization Ministry launches Startup Savanna, a business acceleration programme for early-stage startups
Published: 04-06-2021 | 08:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Kenyan Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development (MoITED), launched Startup Savanna, an international business acceleration programme that will link Kenyan startups to global angel investors.


Nigeria agritech startup Thrive Agric targets 50,000 farmers with new project
Published: 04-06-2021 | 08:52:56 | By: Bob Koigi
A natural partner for the Trade Hub, Thrive Agric has already helped over 140,000 farmers in Nigeria increase their capacities to meet supply, quality, and food safety standards required by domestic and export markets.


Africa's e-logistics startup Lori Systems appoints Uche Ogboi as new CEO
Published: 03-06-2021 | 15:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lori Systems, Africa's e-logistics platform has announced the appointment of Uche Ogboi as its new Chief Executive Officer effective July 1 2021.


BMZ launches startup support programme for Kenyan entrepreneurs
Published: 03-06-2021 | 14:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Federal Development Ministry (BMZ), has expanded its developPPP Ventures programme in Kenya to support local startups.


Cloud startup Golioth announces private beta launch and $2.5m seed round
Published: 03-06-2021 | 14:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Golioth, the cloud platform for hardware developers, announced a $2.5 million seed round in conjunction with a private beta launch for developers.


Arcline Investment acquires Resolution Medical
Published: 03-06-2021 | 13:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Arcline Investment Management (Arcline), a growth-oriented private equity firm, announced it has acquired a controlling stake in Resolution Medical, LLC from founders Steve Schmidt and Shawn Patterson.


MetaVC Partners launches debut venture capital fund focused on startups using metamaterials
Published: 03-06-2021 | 13:46:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MetaVC Partners has launched its first fund which will focus on venture investments in early-stage startups employing metamaterials technology.


Conquer Accelerator selects six startups for 2021 cohort
Published: 03-06-2021 | 13:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Conquer Accelerator announced its sixth season and summer 2021 cohort. The 10-week accelerator welcomes six selected teams to its East Lansing program: CrossBraining, Frizzmo, Nickels, Rebound AI, SafetySit, and Tandem.


Rapyd launches venture arm to propel digital commerce and payment innovation globally
Published: 03-06-2021 | 12:56:18 | By: Pie Kamau
Rapyd, a global Fintech-as-a-Service company, announced today the launch of Rapyd Ventures, its new venture arm that will focus on investing in early and growth stage businesses that are delivering the next wave of financial services innovation.


Canadian commercialization venture firm FACIT leads seed round in Nanology Labs
Published: 02-06-2021 | 17:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
FACIT, a commercialization venture firm focused on advancing Ontario's top-tier oncology innovations, announced a new follow-on investment in startup Nanology Labs.


Healthcare fintech startup Green Feather secures $1.5m in seed round
Published: 02-06-2021 | 16:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Green Feather, an Atlanta-based healthcare fintech company, announced a seed capital raise of $1.5 million. The capital will bolster customer acquisition and engineering resources for Feather Pay, Green Feather's next-generation patient payments platform.


Shaquille O'Neal invests in at-home fitness startup MAXPRO
Published: 02-06-2021 | 16:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MAXPRO, the startup making at-home and connected fitness accessible to all, announced a strategic partnership with basketball Hall of Famer and entertainment icon Shaquille O'Neal.


PharmStars launches accelerator to transform how pharma and digital health startups do business
Published: 02-06-2021 | 15:23:56 | By: Pie Kamau
PharmStars announced the launch of its global digital health accelerator to transform how pharma and startups do business.


Audiotech startup Chaos Audio revamps inventive guitar multi-effects platform
Published: 02-06-2021 | 15:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Student-led startup Chaos Audio returns to Kickstarter with a much-improved version of its next-generation multi-effects guitar pedal, Stratus.


Tech startup Britive raises $10m to secure privileged access for multi-cloud enterprises
Published: 01-06-2021 | 12:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Britive, a cloud-native dynamic access management platform announced it has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round led by Crosslink Capital with participation from seed round investors Upfront Ventures and One Way Ventures.


Digital wallet startup Eco raises capital from cultural and business leaders to create a better financial future for everyone
Published: 01-06-2021 | 12:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Eco, a digital wallet for saving and spending, announced some of the world's most prominent cultural icons participated in its recent fundraise of more than $26 million, alongside a16z Crypto, Founders Fund, and more than one hundred others.


Latin American proptech startup Houm raises $8m to expand and consolidate across the region
Published: 01-06-2021 | 12:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Latin American proptech startup Houm raised $8 million round after Y Combinator Winter 2021 program which it will invest in for growth and consolidation its actual markets.


Podcasting startup Spokn closes oversubscribed $4m seed round funding for market expansion
Published: 01-06-2021 | 11:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Spokn, the podcasting platform for work, announced it has closed an oversubscribed $4 million seed round with funding from NEA, Y Combinator, along with Reach Capital, Funders Club, Liquid2, Share Capital, SOMA Capital, Scribble VC and Hack VC.


Plug and Play Japan selects 91 Startups for its Summer/Fall 2021 Batch
Published: 01-06-2021 | 11:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Global Innovation Platform, Plug and Play Japan has selected 91 Japanese and international startups into its Summer/Fall 2021 Batch, which will be carried out from June to September 2021.


The UN Food Systems Best Small Business competition: Startups time to shine
Published: 28-05-2021 | 12:44:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Small businesses around the world that help provide healthy food that is good for the environment, good for their communities and create jobs for people locally are being invited to share ideas and suggestions for how their countries and economies can maximize their positive impact.


AlphaCode announces four startups taking part in the second phase of its incubate programme in South Africa
Published: 20-05-2021 | 14:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
AlphaCode has announced the four fintech startups that will be part of the second phase of the AlphaCode Incubate programme.


UN launches hunt for startups and enterprises changing the face of food systems
Published: 10-05-2021 | 11:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The UN Food Systems Summit has announced a competition to identify the best small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the world who are transforming food systems for a better tomorrow.


FarmTogether, Backstage Capital join forces to generate grater access to diverse farmland investments
Published: 06-05-2021 | 11:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
FarmTogether, the technology-enabled investment platform democratizing access to farmland, announced a partnership with Backstage Capital, an investment firm focused on startups founded by people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ community.


Dutch impact investment firm Goodwell Investments launches €50 million fund to support African SMEs
Published: 30-04-2021 | 13:04:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Goodwell V will build a new portfolio of companies across various sectors in Africa: at least a third will be invested in financial inclusion, a quarter in agriculture, and the remainder in mobility and other impact sectors such as education and healthcare.


UN targets startups transforming food systems in new competition
Published: 30-04-2021 | 10:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The UN Food Systems Summit has announced a competition to identify the best small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the world who are transforming food systems for a better tomorrow.


Milken Institute and Motsepe Foundation launch $2 million AgriTech competition for African entrepreneurs
Published: 30-04-2021 | 09:27:19 | By: Bob Koigi
The Milken-Motsepe Prize in AgriTech is a $2 million global competition for innovative solutions to increase economic value to farmers, from seed to sale.


Telecel Group launches applications for Africa startups accelerator programme
Published: 14-04-2021 | 15:47:19 | By: Bob Koigi
The Program helps startups achieve 18-24 months of growth in just three months. Now, the next generation of early-stage African tech startups disrupting a wide range of industry sectors are being sought.


Grow-NY startup business competition kicks off year 3
Published: 14-04-2021 | 10:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The application window for the 2021 Grow-NY million-dollar top prize business competition is now open for submissions. Grow-NY, a unique initiative which connects innovators and investors in the food, beverage and agriculture.


Zimbabwe agritech startup Farmhut secures investment to scale operations
Published: 30-03-2021 | 15:25:13 | By: Bob Koigi
Zimbabwe agritech startup Farmhut has received $US100 000 investment from the Hult Prize Foundation. This follows through the Hult Prize accelerator program of the 2020 cohort.


ASIP Accelerator Program open for applications from disruptive startups in Africa
Published: 26-03-2021 | 11:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
To develop the potential of startups driving the internet economy, Telecel Group has opened applications for the ASIP Accelerator Program powered by Startupbootcamp AfriTech.


Texas-based Precision Livestock Technologies completes $600K seed round on Harvest Returns agriculture crowdfunding platform
Published: 24-03-2021 | 14:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Harvest Returns announced that Dallas, Texas-based Precision Livestock Technologies has successfully completed a seed round raise totaling $600,000 on the Harvest Returns agriculture crowdfunding platform.


IFC invests in Savannah Fund to support Africa’s tech startups funding growth
Published: 11-03-2021 | 12:23:00 | By: Pie Kamau
IFC announced an investment in the Savannah Fund, a technology seed fund in Africa, to increase lending to startups across sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on supporting women entrepreneurs and disruptive companies in high-growth sectors.


Investing in mentorship to inspire women in agribusiness
Published: 09-03-2021 | 16:02:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Jolenta Joseph, a Tanzania entrepreneur has built her business tackling malnutrition, an endemic problem in Tanzania, thanks in part to the support she has received since winning the 2020 SUN Pitch Competition.


BioPhero startup raises $17m Series A for sustainable pest control
Published: 09-03-2021 | 13:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
BioPhero, the insect pheromone company, announced it has raised $17 million in Series A funding led by DCVC Bio with participation from new investor FMC Ventures, as well as existing investors Syngenta Group Ventures and Novo Holdings.


Union Bank of Nigeria to support startups through UnionX Innovation Challenge
Published: 26-02-2021 | 15:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Union Bank, one of Nigeria’s foremost financial institutions, has unveiled the 2021 UnionX Innovation Challenge, as part of efforts to support young startups and boost innovation in the startup ecosystem.


Kenyan young agripreneurs reel under impacts of COVID-19
Published: 05-02-2021 | 12:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Kenyan agribusiness enterprises run by young people experienced a 48 per cent failure rate last year at the height of the novel corona virus a new study has shown.


John Deere adds new companies to its 2021 Startup Collaborator program
Published: 28-01-2021 | 12:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
John Deere & Company announced the companies that will be part of the 2021 cohort of the Startup Collaborator program.


Agritech startup Bear Flag Robotics raises $7.9m seed extension round
Published: 25-01-2021 | 14:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bear Flag Robotics announced a $7.9 million seed extension funding round led by True Ventures. The Silicon Valley-based agritech company is developing autonomous technology for farm tractors, which enables growers to increase productivity.


India's Z3Partners announces first close of Tech & Digital Fund, invests in Cyfirma and DealShare startups
Published: 12-01-2021 | 10:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Z3Partners Tech Fund announced its First Close of $14 million and its investments in Cyfirma, a Cyber Threat Intelligence Software startup and DealShare, a Social Commerce-led online grocery startup.


South Africa agritech startup Aerobotics raises funds for global expansion
Published: 16-12-2020 | 09:05:40 | By: Bob Koigi
FMO and Cathay AfricInvest Innovation have invested in Aerobotics, a South African AgriTech startup developing intelligent tools to the feed the world.


HexGn, AFRIEF launch startup program to accelerate African youth careers
Published: 15-12-2020 | 08:59:00 | By: Pie Kamau
HexGn, a consulting firm known for fast-tracking entrepreneurship and upcoming technologies globally, has joined hands with the Africa Islamic Economic Foundation (AFRIEF), to launch its flagship startup program, HexGn Startup Explore, in Africa.


AgTech startup SeeTree raises $30 million funding to expand into new crops
Published: 09-12-2020 | 11:10:00 | By: Bob Koigi
SeeTree, an AI-powered, end-to-end service that provides growers with intelligence on trees and tree clusters, has raised $30 million in a Series B funding round led by the International Finance Corporation


Flagship summit to support growth of digital agriculture start-ups in Africa
Published: 01-12-2020 | 13:44:11 | By: Bob Koigi
African entrepreneurs in digital agriculture will have new opportunities to secure support and investment as the African Green Revolution Forum takes on the AgriHack Talent project.


Kenyan agritech startup Farmers Pride raises $220k funding from Gray Matters Capital’s coLABS
Published: 06-11-2020 | 13:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
US-based impact investor Gray Matters Capital announced its funding in Kenya's agritech startup Farmers Pride, a one stop e-commerce platform that connects village level farmers to quality inputs, services and information.


Plug and Play partners with Evergy to foster new relationships, innovation in Topeka
Published: 23-10-2020 | 10:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Global innovation platform Plug and Play announced that Evergy will be a founding partner for its Topeka location, which is centered around animal health and agriculture technology


Nufarm, German agritech startup CROP.ZONE partner for alternative weed control across European markets
Published: 22-10-2020 | 11:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Australian crop protection and specialty seed company Nufarm and the German agritech startup CROP.ZONE have partnered to launch Nufarm's and CROP.ZONE's hybrid herbicide solutions across major European markets.


Rabobank unveils 45 food & agriculture startups selected for FoodBytes! Pitch 2020
Published: 07-10-2020 | 12:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Rabobank unveiled the 45 startups selected to participate in FoodBytes! Pitch 2020, its global food and ag startup discovery program that helps entrepreneurs scale their impact through mentorship and connections to corporate leaders and investors.


S2G Ventures, CDPQ announce funding for startups in sustainable food business
Published: 30-09-2020 | 15:55:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and S2G Ventures (S2G) have announced creation of a co-investment partnership that will target ventures that aim to make the food and agriculture industry more sustainable.


Cannabis cultivation software startup Trym closes $3.1m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 29-09-2020 | 14:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Trym, a pioneering cannabis cultivation software company announced the completion of its $3.1 million seed funding round of financing to accelerate growth.


Airsmat raises $100,000 investment to deepen AI application in agriculture
Published: 25-09-2020 | 09:33:19 | By: Bob Koigi
AirSmat, a Nigeria-based Pan-African Software company, has received a boost of $100,000 from Zetogon as pre-seeding investment to help the organization on the journey to deliver world-class service in Africa.


Phytolon secures $4.1 million funding for natural food colour tech
Published: 22-09-2020 | 15:17:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Israel-based Phytolon, a portfolio company of The Trendlines Group Ltd has announced that it secured $4.1 million in funding for its fermentation-based technology for the production of plant-based food colours.


German urban farming startup Infarm raises $170m to grow urban vertical farming network in the world
Published: 18-09-2020 | 13:22:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Infarm, German urban farming network announced $170 million investment raised in the first close of a Series C funding round expected to reach $200 million.


Cellular agriculture startup Wildtype launches salmon in sushi restaurants
Published: 17-09-2020 | 12:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cellular agriculture startup Wildtype has unveiled its latest cell-based salmon. This version is "sushi-grade" and crafted with the sushi industry's favorite raw salmon applications in mind.


Irish agtech startup MagGrow raises €6m Series A round
Published: 17-08-2020 | 14:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Irish startup MagGrow, the agtech innovator that specialises in delivering crop protection products where they matter most while protecting the environment, has completed a €6m Series A round.


Kenyan women and youth agritech startups invited to apply for $100k FoodTech Africa accelerator
Published: 14-08-2020 | 15:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan youth and women-led agribusinesses have been awarded an opportunity to access $100,000 as investment for their companies through the FoodTech Africa accelerator.


US startup Atomo Coffee raises $9m to bring molecular coffee to the market
Published: 13-08-2020 | 15:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Seattle based startup Atomo Coffee announced it has closed an additional $9 million in Seed funding to bring its molecular coffee to market.


Kenyan agritech startup Lentera, MCFI ink deal to provide satellite based crop analysis for Mauritian farmers
Published: 29-07-2020 | 11:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Mauritius Chemical and Fertilizer Industry (MCFI), and Lentera Africa have signed a partnership that will see Lentera provide satellite-based crop health analysis and crop modelling services for Mauritian customers of MCFI.


Evonik invests in Chinese tech startup to support intelligent, healthier pig farming
Published: 28-07-2020 | 13:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Evonik’s venture capital arm has invested in SmartAHC, a Chinese technology startup that enables more intelligent and healthier pig farming.


IFC helps boost clean tech startups in Egypt, enables farmers switch to solar
Published: 15-07-2020 | 12:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
IFC is joining forces with the National Bank of Egypt and MSMEDA to strengthen the clean technology entrepreneurship sector and boost Egyptian farmers’ access to finance for solar irrigation.


Nigeria's FCMB, Passion Incubator partner to launch FCMB Agritech Epic Pitch 2020
Published: 07-07-2020 | 16:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigeria's First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has partnered with Passion Incubator, a Lagos-based early-stage incubator and accelerator that has invested in some Agritech startups, to launch the virtual edition of the FCMB Agritech Epic Pitch 2020.