Support includes the Gates Foundation’s first investment in an Argentine startup to strengthen global food security
A month ago, Puna Bio announced its Series A round, led by Corteva Catalyst and backed by other global investors focused on climate and agricultural innovation. Now, the company announces the closing of that investment round with the participation of the Gates Foundation.
This investment—the foundation’s first in an Argentine startup—reflects a commitment to advancing locally led innovation that can strengthen sustainable food systems and help smallholder farmers access to microbial-based bioinputs in places where there is limited affordability and accessibility.
The funding will accelerate the development, production, and distribution of Puna Bio’s biofertilizers and biostimulants, which are based on extremophile bacteria. These solutions are designed to enhance crop yields even under stress, by providing crops with nutrients and this collaboration aims to bring these benefits to smallholder farmers in developing regions across Africa.
As part of this partnership, Puna Bio will work closely with the Gates Foundation to test and adapt its technologies to local conditions and co-develop new targeted solutions to support food security at a global scale.
“We believe this partnership is deeply aligned with Puna Bio’s mission of ensuring food security at a global scale. Our science-backed biological inputs, already in use in South America can boost crop yields in a reliable and cost-effective manner, even in challenging weather conditions. By expanding our efforts to Africa, we aim to scale our impact, improve lives, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of global agriculture,” explains Franco Martínez Levis, CEO and co-founder of Puna Bio.
With this new strategic investor, Puna Bio successfully closes its Series A round, alongside At One Ventures, SP Ventures, Dalus Capital, Glocal LATAM, Builders VC, and Grid Exponential.
