Catalera secures series A funding to boost biological pest control solutions
Catalera BioSolutions, a company specialising in biological pest control, has secured Series A funding to advance its innovative solutions for agriculture and public health. This funding is particularly relevant for growers of specialty crops, row crops, and organic farms, where reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals is becoming increasingly important
Catalera BioSolutions, an independent company spun out from Vancouver-based ag-tech firm Terramera, has announced the first close of its Series A funding round. The second and final close is expected in Q4 of 2024 at a US$8M investment. The investment is expected to help Catalera expand its product range, which includes biological solutions for crops such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, as well as pest control in public and home settings. A second and final funding close is expected by the end of 2024.
Growing interest in biological pest control solutions
The funding round, led by S2G Ventures and supported by FCC Capital, reflects the growing interest in biological pest control solutions as the agricultural industry faces increasing pressure to reduce the use of synthetic chemicals. Catalera’s product line includes RANGO® for specialty crops, SOCORO® for row crops, and Vaporpad® for bed bug treatment. The company is also poised to launch new products in the coming years, including TRIFECTO®, recently registered in Mexico.
Challenges for the industry
The agricultural sector’s reliance on synthetic chemicals has led to a range of issues, including soil degradation, water contamination, and food security risks. As a result, there is a growing movement towards biological alternatives. Catalera aims to meet this demand with its innovative solutions, which are designed to offer effective pest control without the environmental and health impacts associated with traditional chemicals.
These solutions are particularly crucial for organic and conventional growers who are seeking more sustainable ways to manage pests in high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and grains. Sanjeev Krishnan, managing partner at S2G Ventures, highlighted the potential of Catalera’s technology to reshape the industry: “The biologicals market is at a pivotal moment, with farmers reevaluating their use of synthetic chemicals. Catalera’s platform has the potential to drive significant change in the way pest control is approached in agriculture.”
Looking Ahead
With the support of FCC Capital, which is making its first investment in the biologicals space, Catalera is well-positioned to scale its operations and continue developing new biological products. FCC President Justine Hendricks emphasised the importance of this investment for the future of Canadian agriculture: “We are excited to support Catalera BioSolutions in advancing innovative solutions that can benefit the entire food and agriculture sector.”
