Mycoverse Raises EUR 2.4 Million to Develop Biological Solution Against Potato Late Blight

Mycoverse, an agri-tech spin-out from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) developing biological crop protection using fungi, has raised EUR 2.4 million (USD 2.8 million) in pre-seed equity funding. The round was co-led by Future Food Fund and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), with participation from PINC, the venture arm of Paulig.

The funding will support the development of Mycoverse's first solution targeting potato late blight, one of Europe's most destructive crop diseases, as Europe faces mounting pressure to reduce chemical pesticide use.

Using its AI-driven discovery platform, Mycoverse identifies promising fungal strains and develops bioactives that provide crop protection. Combined with the company's fungal production technology, this approach aims to deliver scalable biological crop protection solutions that can integrate into existing farming systems.
 

AI-driven discovery for biological crop protection

Lead candidates have already demonstrated strong performance in greenhouse trials.

Svend Petersen, CEO and Co-founder of Mycoverse:

"This funding allows us to rapidly expand our field trials program, bringing us closer to delivering reliable biological crop protection products that farmers can adopt without changing their existing practices."

Christian Kannemeier, Senior Investment Manager at High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF):

"We are impressed by the scientific depth of the team and the speed with which they are able to identify and screen high-performing biological candidates. The rapid development of their potato blight candidates, achieved in just five months, demonstrates the strength and efficiency of their platform."

Growing demand for sustainable crop protection

The crop protection landscape in Europe is evolving in response to regulatory developments and growing demand for more sustainable agricultural practices. At the same time, farmers require reliable and cost-effective solutions to manage persistent disease pressures.

Potato late blight remains a major challenge and represents an estimated USD 1.9 billion global market opportunity. This creates significant potential for innovative bio-based solutions that can support crop resilience while reducing environmental impact.

Kim Wagenaar, Investment Director at Future Food Fund:

"As chemical crop protection products are phased out and growers are increasingly dealing with resistance to products that are still on the market, the need for new solutions has never been clearer. Our investment strategy is guided by the Planetary Boundaries framework, supporting innovations that allow food production to operate within Earth’s safe limits. Mycoverse combines AI-driven discovery with advanced fungal production technology to deliver biological solutions that can match field performance while reducing systemic environmental pressure."

Rosemari Herrero, Senior Investment Manager at PINC:

"As a food company reliant on sustainable agricultural value chains, we see significant potential in technologies that reduce chemical inputs without compromising reliability. Solutions that help maintain yields while supporting soil health, biodiversity and long-term food security are essential for a resilient food system. Mycoverse’s approach combines strong science with a clear route to scale, making it a compelling addition to our portfolio."

Looking ahead, Mycoverse plans to expand its platform to additional crops, including grapevines, as regulatory institutions and agribusiness across Europe accelerate the shift toward biological crop protection.

At the Mycoverse Lab