Bristol-based agritech start-up, Glaia, has secured a £1 million investment from Green Angel Syndicate, the UK’s leading network of climate-conscious investors. The company, founded by former University of Bristol scientists, has developed a groundbreaking carbon-based technology to supercharge crop growth without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Glaia’s “sugar dots” technology enhances photosynthesis, the process plants use to convert sunlight into energy. By boosting photosynthesis efficiency, the technology has demonstrated the potential to increase crop yields by up to 40% without relying on additional fertilisers or environmentally harmful inputs.
This innovation could transform the production of staple and horticultural crops, initially focusing on hydroponic tomatoes and strawberries. With an estimated fivefold return on investment for growers, Glaia aims to expand into the EU and North America within the next three years, targeting a global market exceeding $1.9 billion.
The investment from Green Angel Syndicate and Yield Lab Europe will enable Glaia to scale production and prepare their product for market entry, including pilot customer projects. Cam Ross, CEO of Green Angel Syndicate, praised the potential of Glaia’s technology to revolutionise farming’s carbon footprint.
John Carrigan of Yield Lab Europe highlighted the significance of Glaia’s technology in addressing the increasing global food demand and mitigating climate change by increasing crop productivity.
Glaia’s co-founder, David Benito, expressed enthusiasm for the company’s next phase and emphasized their unique approach to tackling climate change by improving crop productivity without increasing the carbon footprint.
Green Angel Syndicate, with over 340 members, is the UK’s largest network of specialist investors fighting climate change, having invested in numerous start-ups across various sectors. Yield Lab Europe is a leading funder of early-stage agri-food and agri-tech companies, aiming to sustainably feed the world.
