#Gates Foundation #Argentina #Buenos Aires #Puna Bio #Corteva Catalyst

Puna Bio Secures New Funding to Advance Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Puna Bio, a pioneering agricultural tech startup, recently concluded a successful Series A funding round. This significant milestone was predominantly backed by Corteva Catalyst, paired with various international investors committed to enhancing climate-focused agricultural practices. The funding is not just a number; it marks a noteworthy venture involving the Gates Foundation, which represents their inaugural investment in an Argentine startup. This collaboration aims to bolster efforts to improve global food security while fostering locally-driven innovations.

Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture

The investment from the Gates Foundation underscores a strong commitment towards advancing sustainable food systems that empower smallholder farmers. With this funding, Puna Bio is set to enhance the development, production, and distribution of biofertilizers and biostimulants sourced from extremophile bacteria. These innovative products aim to improve crop yields under stress conditions, thereby providing much-needed nutrients to farmers operating in regions where affordability and availability are pressing challenges.

Puna Bio CEO Franco Martínez Levis articulated their mission succinctly: "Our science-backed biological inputs that have already been deployed in South America aim to enhance crop production reliably and cost-effectively, even under adverse weather conditions. This funding allows us to expand our impact, improve lives, and support long-term sustainability in global agriculture, particularly across developing regions like Africa."

Innovations at the Core of Agriculture

Puna Bio's strategic approach involves leveraging innovative technologies that are tailored to meet the local conditions of farmers across different regions. Their current products, Kunza, designed for crops like soybeans, cotton, and beans, along with Kanzama for wheat and barley, have already seen deployment on over 800,000 acres during just three commercial seasons. This success reflects Puna Bio's relentless innovation and its commitment to nurturing sustainable agricultural practices that can transform landscapes across various countries, including the USA, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.

Future Prospects

As Puna Bio navigates this crucial phase with the engines of investment propelling its innovation, they have laid out plans to work closely with the Gates Foundation on adapting and testing their technologies. This partnership will not only enhance food security at a global scale but will also co-develop targeted solutions that are effective in supporting smallholder farmers.

In summary, this funding announcement heralds a new chapter for Puna Bio as they aim to scale their solutions in Africa, unlocking potential benefits for countless farmers. The global agriculture landscape stands at a pivotal moment, and Puna Bio’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and collaboration is indicative of a broader trend aiming to secure food sustainability and mitigate climate impact in agriculture.

For further details on Puna Bio’s innovative efforts and to follow their journey, you can visit their website at Puna Bio.