UPL and Radicle Growth launch the Radicle NPP Challenge

The Challenge sets out to invest US $ 1.75M in start-up companies that are advancing natural and biological solutions to protect crops from biotic stresses such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes, insects, arachnids, and weeds and follows ‘The Radicle Carbon and Soil Challenge by UPL’ which saw US $ 1.25M invested in early-stage companies in 2022.

Natural solutions

NPP is a business unit of UPL, offering growers natural solutions to increase crop resilience and protection, improve nutrition, and support soil health. Over the past decade, there has been a growing demand for natural solutions as an alternative or complement to synthetic chemistries as means of protecting crops whilst safeguarding the environment.

Mike Frank, CEO of UPL Corporation Ltd. said: “Amidst the multitude of challenges facing farmers and food systems, natural solutions are critical to advancing agriculture in a way that delivers prosperity for growers, consumers, and the environment. We invite entrepreneurs who share our aspirations to apply and join our journey to Reimagine Sustainability.”

Kirk Haney, Managing Partner, Radicle Growth, said: “Feeding our growing population is of utmost importance. We recognize that to transform our agriculture system and advance sustainable solutions in the food value chain, we need to find new technologies that are working on natural and biological control solutions.”

Applying

A US $ 1 million investment will be made in The Challenge winner and a US $ 750,000 investment in the secondplace winner in order to accelerate their growth. Apply now is possible.

Investment decisions will be made during a ‘Pitch Day’ in March 2024. A judging panel of industry experts will hear from 4-6 finalists who will be chosen from the global applicant pool. In addition to the funding, the winners will also get access to advice from both UPL and Radicle senior executives to help accelerate their company’s business and technical efforts.