BiocSol secures €5.2M seed funding to transform sustainable crop protection with next generation microbial-based solutions, targeting total €10M in funding by year-end

* Built on decade of research at UCLouvain, BiocSol’s next generation microbial-based solutions bring cutting-edge, sustainable crop protection without use of live microbes, resulting in higher stability and efficacy for major crops like potatoes, other vegetables and grapes, critical for sustainable agriculture
* Field-tested success: BiocSol’s first biopesticide products targeting late and early blight in potatoes (Phytophthora infestans and Alternaria solani) and downy mildew in lettuces and grapes have already been tested in real field conditions, demonstrating positive initial results in effective crop protection

BiocSol, a UCLouvain spin-off specialized in sustainable crop protection solutions, today announces the successful closure of its initial seed funding round, securing €5.2 million ($5.6M) in equity. Built on a decade of research at UCLouvain’s Earth & Life Institute, BiocSol aims to attract a total €10 million by year-end through additional non-dilutive and equity financing.

Agri Investment Fund and VIVES IUF led the round, bringing extensive expertise in agribusiness and biotechnology, alongside Belgian investors, including Invest.BW and IMBC Spinnova SA.

Acting as a catalyst for BiocSol’s development, this funding will allow the company to expand its team, broaden its R&D pipeline and kickstart the regulatory processes for its pioneering biofungicides. BiocSol will also be able to increase production to meet demand and optimize its quality and efficiency processes.

“We are thrilled by the confidence our investors have shown in our biopesticides technology and our long-term vision,” said Denis Payen, newly-appointed CEO of BiocSol. “With this funding we can scale up our technology, providing farmers worldwide with access to more sustainable and efficient agricultural solutions. In the face of climate change and resource limitations, our microbial-based methods offer a future-forward, eco-friendly approach.”

“This new investment is strategic for our fund as it enables us to become part of the rapidly growing Wallonia AgTech ecosystem,” said Patrik Haesen, CEO of Agri Investment Fund. “We are particularly impressed by BiocSol's innovative approach, which addresses some of the most pressing agricultural problems by creating multiple modes of action to combat pathogens that are swiftly developing resistance to current solutions.”

BiocSol develops innovative microbial-based biopesticides empowering farmers by providing an efficient biocontrol to protect their crop. By harnessing specific microbial substances, the company creates reliable, stable and cost-effective biosolutions targeting key agricultural challenges, such as mildew agents.

“We are proud to have brought everything together to help create BiocSol and to have supported it since inception. Its unique molecular platform opens new avenues for sustainable, microbial-based crop protection. We fully believe in its mission to create resilient agricultural solutions for current and future challenges. This round is a significant achievement, especially in today’s challenging funding environment,” said Yannick Vancoppenolle, partner at VIVES Partners.

Emerging fungal and oomycete pathogens infect staple calorie crops and economically important commodity crops (https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-020-0075-0) , thereby posing a significant threat to global food security. Indeed, plant pathogenic fungi destroy between 20 and 40% of the global annual harvest (https://www.mpg.de/23545750/plants-fungal-diseases) .

“Closing this seed round shows the quality and the potential of the research in applied microbiology conducted at the Earth and Life Institute of UCLouvain. We are excited to see the BiocSol team further develop this technology to address the environmental challenges encountered by the agricultural sector,” said Xavier Bastin, CEO of Sopartec SA, the technology transfer company of UCLouvain.

Simon Caulier, CTO and founder of BiocSol, concluded by saying: “We’re at a pivotal moment for the company, advancing our mission to develop sustainable crop protection solutions. This investment allows us to bring impactful solutions to agriculture, fostering a healthier planet for future generations.”