The Oxford-based start-up SugaROx, emerging from Oxford University, is making strides in the agritech sector with its precision biostimulants aimed at enhancing crop yields. Recently, the company announced a significant £400,000 investment from The Mosaic Company, a leader in global fertilisers, as part of a £1 million seed round extension. An additional £600,000 was raised from UK angel investors and funds such as Future Planet Capital and Regenerate Ventures.
CEO Mark Robbins highlighted the need to accelerate manufacturing due to rising demand for product samples, transitioning from lab production to a pilot facility. This expansion is supported by an Innovate UK grant and the new investments, with Mosaic joining as a strategic partner. The company aims to revolutionize the biostimulants industry through collaborative, science-based solutions.
The biostimulants sector, known for enhancing plant growth and resilience, is rapidly growing with an annual growth rate of 11%. SugaROx plans to introduce its wheat biostimulant in the UK by 2027 and in the EU by 2028, with ongoing trials for soybean and maize targeting entry into the US and Brazilian markets. According to Dr. Cara Griffiths, co-founder and chief technical officer, the partnership with Mosaic provides access to extensive trial sites in the US for large-scale validation of their inaugural product.
