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Published: 06-04-2018 16:44:00 | By: Nico Scherphuis | hits: 3883358 | 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.


ShipHero opens accelerator program to support emerging e-Commerce startups
Published: 30-09-2021 | 16:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ShipHero, the shipping and logistics provider for over 5,000 e-commerce brands and 3PLs, announced a new accelerator program for e-Commerce startups looking to supercharge their businesses with best-in-class warehouse management software.


Unilever invites startups to partner through Positive Beauty Growth Platform
Published: 30-09-2021 | 16:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Unilever announced the launch of the Positive Beauty Growth Platform, a new initiative which aims to partner with scaleups and startups to drive innovation and brand growth.


Proptech startup Nomad Homes raises $20m to digitize residential real estate across Europe, Middle East and Africa
Published: 30-09-2021 | 15:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nomad Homes, a property technology startup that offers an end-to-end buyer experience for real estate across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has closed a $20 million Series A funding round.


South African fintech firm Ukheshe partners with Chipper Cash startup to accelerate rollout out of digital payment offerings
Published: 30-09-2021 | 15:29:32 | By: Pie Kamau
South African fintech firm Ukheshe Technologies has partnered with Chipper Cash to enhance and accelerate the rollout out of Chipper’s digital payment offerings.


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.


Social learning startup Fiveable closes $10m Series A funding to fuel student-led online spaces
Published: 29-09-2021 | 13:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Fiveable, a social learning platform that has supported more than 7 million high school students since 2018, has raised $10 million in Series A funding led by Union Square Ventures with participation from Owl Ventures and Progression Fund.


Israeli startup Appwrite raises $10m to build open source alternative to Google's firebase
Published: 29-09-2021 | 13:23:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Appwrite, the open source Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform for web, mobile and flutter developers, announced it has raised $10 million in a seed round led by Bessemer Venture Partners and Flybridge with participation of Ibex Investors and Seedcamp.


Starfish Space startup raises $7m to develop Otter space tug
Published: 29-09-2021 | 13:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Starfish Space, a satellite servicing company founded by former Blue Origin engineers, announced it has raised a $7 million funding round co-led by NFX and MaC Venture Capital, with participation from PSL Ventures, Boost VC, Liquid2 Ventures, and Hypothesis.


DLA Piper advises GigCapital5 in $230m IPO
Published: 29-09-2021 | 12:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DLA Piper represented GigCapital5, Inc. in its initial public offering of 23,000,000 units at a price of $10 per unit, including 3,000,000 units issued upon the exercise of the over–allotment option granted to the underwriters.


New York-based Art+Tech accelerator receives funding to invest in art-fueled startups
Published: 28-09-2021 | 15:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
New York-based Art+Tech accelerator Fuelarts returns after raising $500K from philanthropic funders. Launched in late 2019 by former Christie's COO Roxanna Zarnegar and serial entrepreneur Denis Belkevich, Fuelarts was forced to scale back its operations due to the pandemic.


Africa's crypto exchange Yellow Card raises $15m Series A funding to fuel expansion across the continent
Published: 28-09-2021 | 15:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Pan-African cryptocurrency exchange, Yellow Card, announced a $15 million Series A, the largest ever by an African cryptocurrency exchange, to ramp up hiring and continue its expansion across the continent.


EMURGO launches $100m Cardano ecosystem investment vehicle for early and growth stage startups
Published: 28-09-2021 | 15:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
EMURGO, the official commercial arm of the Cardano blockchain, announced the launch of a new Cardano ecosystem investment vehicle to invest into early startup and growth stage companies focused on building socially impactful solutions powered by Cardano.


Ugandan fintech startup Fin-e Innovations raises $300,000 to bridge funding gap of African energy SMEs
Published: 28-09-2021 | 15:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Fin-e Innovations, a fintech start-up based in Uganda, has closed pre-seed funding of $300,000 from an undisclosed party in the United States.


Alberta tech startups to plug into global innovation system through new business accelerator
Published: 24-09-2021 | 14:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Alberta tech entrepreneurs and startups will soon have access to an accelerator with worldwide reach that will help them grow their businesses.


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.


Canadian supplier enablement startup Convictional raises $6.7m Series A funding
Published: 24-09-2021 | 13:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Convictional, the first supplier enablement platform for retailers and distributors to power drop ship, marketplace and wholesale business models in one solution, announced it has secured $6.7 million in Series A funding.


Perch Mobility startup raises seed funding to accelerate growth
Published: 24-09-2021 | 12:42:58 | By: Pie Kamau
Perch Mobility, the provider of portable charging pods that fuel the micromobility industry, announced the close of its successful seed round funding, which will enable the company to expand coverage into key strategic markets across the U.S.


The Vendry raises $6.5m seed round to support corporate events industry with new marketplace solutions
Published: 24-09-2021 | 12:22:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Vendry, a marketplace and professional community for corporate event planners, announced the close of a $6.5 million seed funding round led by Peter Boyce, Founder of Stellation Capital.


German startup Focused Energy raises $15m seed round to pursue commercial fusion energy production
Published: 23-09-2021 | 16:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Focused Energy, a laser fusion startup dedicated to developing fusion as a means of generating clean alternative energy, announced the successful completion of $15 million in seed funding.


Delivery startup Glovo expands its African footprints
Published: 23-09-2021 | 16:02:01 | By: Pie Kamau
Leading multi-category delivery platform Glovo recently announced the expansion of its operations in Africa, to include Ghana and Tunisia, bringing its current operations to a total of seven countries on the continent.


[Column] Patrick Ndegwa: Growing a successful tech startup in Kenya, 4 key elements
Published: 23-09-2021 | 15:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The tech scene in Kenya is thriving. Even amid a global pandemic, economic uncertainty, and election fever, our dynamic African country has found a way to cut through the clutter and establish itself as the world’s ‘Silicon Savannah’.


Absa partners with Melanin Kapital to launch unsecured lending for startups in Kenya
Published: 23-09-2021 | 15:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Absa Bank Kenya has partnered with Pan African impact investment platform Melanin Kapital, to launch an investor readiness program that places startups driving social impact on the path to accessing up to KES3 million in unsecured lending.


Nigerian fintech startup Infibranches secures $2m funding from All On to drive growth in the renewable energy sector
Published: 23-09-2021 | 15:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Shell-funded impact investment company All On announced a $2 million investment in fintech company, Infibranches Technologies, to help bridge the energy distribution gap in underserved rural and peri-urban areas of Nigeria.


Rose Technology startup raises $5.5m seed round to change the way companies generate revenue from data
Published: 22-09-2021 | 16:46:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Rose Technology, founded by data scientist and former global macro investor Alexander Campbell, raised $5.5 million to change the way data-driven companies collect, analyze, and generate revenue from data.


Employee wellness early-stage tech startup Three Good announces seed round to fuel growth
Published: 22-09-2021 | 16:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
A new employee wellness technology startup based in Los Angeles, Three Good, announced its seed round of funding. The employee well-being platform leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and traditional Psychology best practices to beat employee burnout.


Will Smith's Dreamers VC backs $4m funded fintech startup Front to take on wall street, arm investors with better insights
Published: 22-09-2021 | 14:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Front, a strategic investment platform and companion app to Robinhood, Coinbase, Stash, and more that helps guide better investment decisions for new investors, announced the launch of its new app with funding from Will Smith's Dreamers VC.


Healthtech startup bttn. adds PlastCareUSA to burgeoning supplier ecosystem
Published: 22-09-2021 | 14:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
bttn., a Healthtech startup providing a B2B e-Commerce platform for purchasing medical supplies, announced an expansion to its product catalog with the addition of 93 PlastCare USA products for dental practitioners.


Chinese warehouse robotics startup HAI ROBOTICS secures $200m funding to accelerate growth
Published: 22-09-2021 | 14:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
HAI ROBOTICS, a Chinese warehouse robotics startup pioneering in autonomous case-handling robotics (ACR) system, announced it has secured two new continuous rounds of financing, garnering $200-odd million in total.


Payroll-as-a-Service startup Check partners with Procare to improve payments in child care centers
Published: 21-09-2021 | 11:03:09 | By: Pie Kamau
Check, the payroll-as-a-service startup whose mission is to make paying people simple, announced a partnership with Procare Solutions, the child care management software platform.


Chinese intelligent robotics startup Agile Robots completes Series C financing to accelerate growth
Published: 21-09-2021 | 10:41:12 | By: Pie Kamau
Agile Robots, an intelligent robotics company, announced the completion of a Series C financing with a total investment of $220 million. The financing was led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, followed by financial investors.


TDK Ventures invests in seed round for dry lithium-ion electrode manufacturing startup, AM Batteries
Published: 21-09-2021 | 09:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TDK Corporation announced that subsidiary TDK Ventures has invested in AM Batteries (AMB) to support the commercialization of its dry electrode coating technology that improves the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries.


Fantasy football startup Sorare raises $680m Series B to create next sports entertainment giant leveraging NFTs
Published: 21-09-2021 | 08:59:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sorare, the fantasy football platform, announced it has raised $680 million in Series B financing led by Softbank, with participation from Atomico, Bessemer Ventures, D1 Capital, Eurazeo, IVP and Liontree.


Egyptian healthtech startup Sotech raises $1m in pre-seed funding to fuel growth
Published: 21-09-2021 | 08:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sotech, an Egyptian e-health startup that specializes in smart IoT, trackable OOH advertising, and data gathering has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding round to scale its operations into the rest of the MENA region.


Online group therapy startup Grouport raises $1.5m series seed round to provide therapy for chronic psychological disorders
Published: 17-09-2021 | 13:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Grouport, an online group therapy service that's making group treatment widely accessible for chronic psychological disorders, announced a $1.5 million series seed round led by XV Venture Capital.


Plant-based food startup immi raises $3.8m seed funding to modernize instant ramen
Published: 17-09-2021 | 12:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
immi, the better-for-you Asian American food brand that launched the world's first low-carb, high-protein, 100% plant-based instant ramen during the pandemic, announced a $3.8 million seed round fundraise led by Siddhi Capital.


Biotech startup Elevian raises $40m Series A to advance treatments for stroke recovery and age-related diseases
Published: 17-09-2021 | 12:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Elevian, an emerging biotech company developing medicines that restore youthful regenerative capacity with the potential to treat and prevent multiple age-related diseases, announced it raised $40 million in an oversubscribed Series A round led by Prime Movers Lab.


Pangea Trust opens applications for its Startup Connect Programme
Published: 17-09-2021 | 12:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Pangea Trust has opened applications for its Startup Connect Programme, to increase the deployment of diaspora remittances and networks to provide investment capital to MSMEs and startups in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.


Berlin-based Workist exits stealth to create global AI business connectivity layer
Published: 17-09-2021 | 11:39:10 | By: Pie Kamau
Workist, the company applying cutting-edge, deep-learning technology to automate business transactions, exited stealth and introduced its flagship product WorKI, an intelligent document processing tool that leverages advanced artificial intelligence.


Construction tech startup KEWAZO raises $5m Series A funding to scale robotic fleet in scaffolding industry
Published: 16-09-2021 | 13:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
KEWAZO, a player in construction robotics, announced it has closed a $5 million series A funding round, bringing the total amount raised to $9 million.


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.


Canadian machine learning startup Private AI secures $3.15m seed round to streamline privacy compliance for enterprises
Published: 16-09-2021 | 12:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Private AI, a developer of privacy-preserving machine learning and natural language processing tools, announced it has secured $3.15 million in seed funding to improve its product offering.


Insurtech startup NEXT Insurance renews commitment to small businesses with integrated strategic rebrand
Published: 16-09-2021 | 12:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
NEXT Insurance, the digital insurtech company transforming small business insurance, announced its strategic rebrand which will integrate small business owners from across the country into every part of the company's business, culture and ethos.


Illumina Accelerator invests in seven genomics startups for 3rd global cycle
Published: 16-09-2021 | 11:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Illumina has selected seven new genomics companies to join the third global funding cycle of Illumina Accelerator. The global company creation engine, focused on partnering with entrepreneurs to build breakthrough genomics startups.


Organic food startup Teatis closes seed funding round to advance production and marketing in the U.S.
Published: 15-09-2021 | 17:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Teatis, makers of superfood powders for diabetic consumers, announces the close of its seed funding round. The science-backed brand that specializes in sugar-blocking teas accrued $700,000 from various high-power angel investors.


ITRI partners with Arm to provide resources for innovative IC design startups in Taiwan
Published: 15-09-2021 | 16:49:37 | By: Pie Kamau
To promote Taiwanese local IC design startups, the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is supporting the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Arm, in providing critical resources.


Canadian machine learning startup CruxOCM raises $6m venture financing to accelerate growth
Published: 15-09-2021 | 16:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CruxOCM, the pioneer of robotic industrial process automation (RIPA) for control room operations, announced it has raised $6 million in venture financing to fuel growth.


Workwear startup BRUNT raises $8.4m Series A funding to accelerate growth
Published: 15-09-2021 | 15:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
BRUNT Workwear, a modern work boot and apparel brand designed for today's construction workers and tradespeople, closed an $8.4 million Series A round to accelerate its growth and meet demand as the company disrupts a $12 billion-dollar category in the US.


Tech startup KUDO launches live captioning for multilingual meetings
Published: 14-09-2021 | 16:23:01 | By: Pie Kamau
KUDO Inc., the multilingual meeting SaaS company built around a B2B managed marketplace powered by the largest network of professional conference interpreters, announced the addition of live captioning to its list of platform features.


Lectra joins Plug and Play open innovation ecosystem
Published: 14-09-2021 | 16:12:27 | By: Pie Kamau
Major global player in the 4.0 Industry for the fashion, automotive, and furniture market, Lectra is joining the Brand & Retail program of the Plug and Play network, the world's leading innovation platform connecting startups, investors, and pioneering companies.


Medical software startup Optellum appoints Jason Pesterfield as CEO to drive commercial growth in the US
Published: 14-09-2021 | 16:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Optellum, a medical software startup based in Oxford, UK, has appointed Jason Pesterfield as CEO to lead growth in the US clinical market. Optellum is a leader in AI-based software that transforms early lung cancer diagnosis and therapy.


Silicon Valley Bank establishes physical presence in Miami
Published: 14-09-2021 | 15:38:32 | By: Pie Kamau
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the bank of the world's innovative companies and their investors, announced a team of commercial bankers have landed permanently in Miami to focus on Florida's dynamic innovation sector.


Huobi Ventures launches $10m fund to accelerate innovative GameFi projects
Published: 14-09-2021 | 15:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Huobi Ventures, the global investment arm of Huobi Group, announced the launch of a new $10 million fund to invest in emerging GameFi projects around the world.


Apto Payments acquires fintech startup Vertical Finance
Published: 10-09-2021 | 15:04:17 | By: Pie Kamau
Apto Payments, a next-generation cards and payments company, announced its acquisition of challenger credit card startup, Vertical Finance. The move expands both Apto Payments' product offerings and team.


Blockchain startup Zaimirai acquires Dash Masternode Hosting Operation from NODE40
Published: 10-09-2021 | 14:52:48 | By: Pie Kamau
Zaimirai, a startup blockchain services provider, announced the acquisition of the Dash Masternode Hosting Division of NODE40. The deal enables Zaimirai to build out its blockchain hosting services using the market-tested platform created by NODE40.


ActZero startup announces U.S. distribution relationship with Ingram Micro's Emerging Business Group
Published: 10-09-2021 | 14:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Managed Detection and Response (MDR) startup ActZero, announced a strategic distribution agreement with Ingram Micro Inc. and its Emerging Business Group, which offers providers high-touch services, specialization and speed to market.


Tech startup Normal receives investment to empower small businesses with innovative robo-consultant
Published: 10-09-2021 | 14:31:35 | By: Pie Kamau
As the Covid-19 pandemic and global warming continue to impact the world, Normal is building a digital platform that allows MSMEs to modernize their operations and implement sustainable and profitable growth.


Madagascar Time startup launches charity cryptocurrency $TIME to fight climate change
Published: 10-09-2021 | 13:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Madagascar Time startup has launched $TIME, the new cryptocurrency focused on charity work around the globe. Backed by an international team, $TIME combines unprecedented technology in the crypto space with social entrepreneurialism.


Tech startup SIMBA Chain raises $25m in Series A funding to accelerate growth
Published: 08-09-2021 | 13:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SIMBA Chain , the technology company that eliminated the complexities of blockchain app development and reduced energy usage, thus opening the door to a world of users, has closed a $25 million Series A funding round led by Valley Capital Partners.


Tango raises $5.7m seed round to launch workflow intelligence platform and transform documentation
Published: 08-09-2021 | 12:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Tango, the workflow intelligence platform that streamlines the process of creating documentation, announced it raised $5.7 million in seed funding to launch workflow intelligence platform and transform documentation.


Canadian plant-based food innovation startup TMRW Foods raises $2.6m in seed round funding
Published: 08-09-2021 | 12:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TMRW Foods, the growing Canadian plant-based food innovation company, announced a seed round investment of $2.6 million.


AI startup DataChat closes $25m Series A round to continue democratizing data analytics
Published: 08-09-2021 | 11:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DataChat, Inc., a software company that's revolutionizing data analytics, announced the closing of a $25 million Series A funding round led by Redline Capital and Anthos Capital.


Sports investing platform PredictionStrike raises $1.7m capital, launches new mobile app
Published: 08-09-2021 | 11:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sports investing platform PredictionStrike announced its partnership with MaC Venture Capital and New Age Capital, as well as the launch of the company's new mobile app.


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.


Israeli insurtech startup Vesttoo joins NVIDIA Inception to further develop AI-based technologies
Published: 07-09-2021 | 15:38:30 | By: Pie Kamau
Israeli insurtech startup Vesttoo announced it has joined NVIDIA Inception, a program designed to nurture companies revolutionizing industries with advancements in AI and data sciences.


Travel adventure startup YouTravel.Me raises $1m to strengthen its position in the US
Published: 07-09-2021 | 15:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
YouTravel.Me, an algorithm-powered online platform for booking small group adventure travel organized by travel experts, announced it has secured $1 million in funding.


Zing Health startup aligns corporate mission and philanthropy with Pledge 1%
Published: 07-09-2021 | 15:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Zing Health, a physician-founded-and-led provider of Medicare Advantage health plans, has made official its Pledge 1% program, raising its commitment to corporate philanthropy, community engagement, and STEM education.


[Startup Interview] Marko van Kampen, Co-Founder, Just Another Network, Netherlands
Published: 06-09-2021 | 12:18:19 | By: Bob Koigi
Just Another Network is a media company for the next generation that creates, manages and distributes news, sports and entertainment in a way that is contemporary.


[Startup Interview] Wibe van de Vijver, Co-Founder, Mohi, Netherlands
Published: 06-09-2021 | 12:02:42 | By: Bob Koigi
Mohi is a media startup that has created a platform where users can remove the clutter and build a space where they can organize a selection of their most enjoyable content experiences and share the absolute highlights with their inner circle.


[Startup Interview] Tom van Bentheim, Co-Founder, Opt Out Advertising, Netherlands
Published: 06-09-2021 | 11:47:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Opt Out Advertising is a startup that helps publishers, agencies and advertisers with the transition to cookieless advertising by offering a clean, privacy-friendly way of monetizing opt-out inventory in the online advertising industry.


[Startup Interview] Nicolas d'Audiffret, Co-Founder, Ankorstore
Published: 06-09-2021 | 11:29:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Ankorstore is an online B2B marketplace connecting brand and retailers, all around Europe.


[Startup Interview] Marcel van der Heijden, Co-Founder, GoodKarma, Netherlands
Published: 03-09-2021 | 15:23:44 | By: Bob Koigi
GoodKarma is a Dutch startup that works with brands to create unique experiences by offering them a host of services across branding, content, marketing, commerce and social media among others.


[Startup Interview] Marco Abele, Co-Founder, OneFor, Netherlands
Published: 03-09-2021 | 13:44:00 | By: Bob Koigi
OneFor is a fintech startup that offers various mobile money applications and technical services, including account, payment and card services. Its card solution is supported by Mastercard International. The startup’s Co-Founder Marco Abele elaborates.


[Startup Interview] Marsha Goei, Co-Founder, Breeze, Netherlands
Published: 03-09-2021 | 13:35:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Breeze is a Dutch-based startup that seeks to make online dating revolve around offline encounters again. It embraces technology to enhance human connection instead of replacing it.


Tech startup Spinach raises $2.75m pre-seed round for Zoom meeting integration
Published: 02-09-2021 | 13:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Spinach, one of the first Zoom Apps partners aimed at helping distributed teams be more effective, announced $2.75 million in pre-seed funding led by Cardumen Capital.


Wine & spirits e-Commerce startup Speakeasy Co. raises $2m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 02-09-2021 | 13:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Speakeasy Co., a technology company and e-commerce platform for the wine & spirits industry, announced a $2 million seed round led by Trog Hawley Capital LLC with participation from other notable investors.


CB Insights launches algorithm to score the quality of startup's founding and management team
Published: 02-09-2021 | 13:05:15 | By: Pie Kamau
CB Insights, which enables world's leading companies to make smarter technology decisions, announced Management Mosaic, the first-ever algorithm to demystify the quality of a startup's founding and management team.


Next-gen research platform Litmaps closes $125K seed-stage investment from Quidnet Ventures
Published: 02-09-2021 | 12:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Litmaps, a Science software company based in Wellington, New Zealand has received NZ$125,000 in funding from Quidnet Ventures, a New Zealand-based venture capital fund with operations in Auckland, NZ, San Francisco and New York.


LG announces global startup competition to recruit new businesses for innovation center
Published: 02-09-2021 | 12:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
LG Electronics (LG) announced the launch of Mission for the Future, a global challenge competition for startups to identify innovative technologies and business ideas that pave the way to the future.


Sharp Alpha Advisors announces sports betting startup pitch competition in partnership with Sportradar
Published: 01-09-2021 | 13:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sharp Alpha Advisors, a firm specializing in early-stage sports betting technology, and Sportradar, a global provider of sports betting and sports entertainment products and services, have partnered to announce a sports betting startup pitch competition.


Videogame startup Nifty Games raises $38m capital to redefine mobile sports games
Published: 01-09-2021 | 13:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nifty Games, a videogame developer and publisher focused on quick-session, head-to-head sports games for mobile, raised $26 million in a Series B round of equity funding led by Vulcan Capital. In addition, the company has secured $12 million in connected debt financing.


DLA Piper advises investment analytics platform Aumni in $50m Series B financing
Published: 01-09-2021 | 13:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DLA Piper represented Aumni, an investment analytics platform that provides the data infrastructure for private capital markets, in a $50 million Series B funding round led by J.P. Morgan.


Oddup raises $12.8m Series C funding to increase access to pre-eminent global startup ecosystem insights
Published: 01-09-2021 | 13:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Oddup, an international provider of data-driven insights for the startup and cryptocurrency ecosystems, announced the close of a $12.8 million Series C funding round.


Shuttle-hailing startup SWVL completes $35.5m pre-funding to accelerate growth strategy
Published: 01-09-2021 | 12:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SWVL, a Dubai-based provider of transformative mass transit and shared mobility solutions, announced that several investors, including Agility and Chimera Abu Dhabi, have completed the pre-funding of $35.5 million of the aggregate PIPE subscription.


South African fintech startup SOL announces rebrand with new virtual card offering
Published: 01-09-2021 | 12:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African fintech startup SOLmate, an online payment platform that offers clients a digital wallet facility, has unveiled a new product offering together with an extensive rebrand and renewed corporate vision.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.