GigaCrop to advance photosynthesis for boosted crop productivity
Published by Ellie Brosnan,
Editorial Assistant
World Fertilizer,
Biotech pioneer GigaCrop has announced it has raised a US$4.5 million pre-seed round of funding led by Playground Global.
Using machine learning to improve enzymes, the company aims to boost photosynthesis, crop yields, and farmers’ profits. The company’s technology will help plants use sunlight more efficiently, enabling agricultural producers of food, fibre, and fuel to grow more with the same water, fertilizer, and acreage.
“Farmers, and the plants they grow support a robust and self-sufficient biomanufacturing economy. GigaCrop is developing crops to supply the additional yield needed to massively scale this sector, and benefit everyone in the process,” said Chris Eiben, Founder and CEO of GigaCrop.
The enzyme Rubisco holds back the full potential of photosynthesis, the plant process converting sunlight and CO2 into biomass. To compensate for slow Rubisco, plants synthesise huge amounts, making Rubisco the most abundant protein on earth. By using machine learning and enzyme engineering, the team is working to bypass sluggish Rubisco entirely.
Early-stage, deep tech venture capital firm Playground Global led GigaCrop’s pre-seed round of more than US$4.5 million in funding to accelerate photosynthesis and increase crop yields.
“Imagine a planet where plants are twice as efficient,” said Bruce Leak, General Partner at Playground Global and GigaCrop board member. “GigaCrop has the potential to change the world by doubling crop yields. This breakthrough could drive a more energy-abundant future and unlock economic growth by transforming agriculture at its core.”
Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/project-news/12032025/gigacrop-to-advance-photosynthesis-for-boosted-crop-productivity/
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