The startup develops a non-toxic RNA interference (RNAi) spray solution that targets fungal pathogens in crops, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fungicides. This bio-fungicide enhances global food security by preventing fungal diseases in plants while being cost-effective and sustainable.
Funding
$400K raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Current fungicide treatments often contain harmful chemicals, lose effectiveness over time, and lead to pathogen resistance, contributing to significant crop losses and environmental damage. Approximately 85% of plant diseases are caused by fungi, resulting in 30-45% production loss along the supply chain, which equates to roughly $940 billion in financial losses. Post-harvest losses, primarily due to inadequate disease prevention, account for 5-15% of total losses.
Solution
HarvestR is developing a Spray-Induced Gene Suppression (SIGS) solution based on double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to combat fungal pathogens in crops. This non-toxic bio-fungicide offers a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical treatments by disrupting specific gene expression crucial for fungal membrane formation. The dsRNA-based technology provides targeted disease control without genetically modifying the crops or harming beneficial microbes. By incorporating slow-release mechanisms, HarvestR's solution aims to provide extended crop protection and prolong the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, thereby improving global food security and reducing food waste. The technology is adaptable to a wide range of fungal pathogens for both field and post-harvest applications.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes agricultural businesses, crop growers, and post-harvest handlers seeking sustainable and effective solutions for fungal disease management in crops and produce.
Features
- dsRNA-based spray solution for targeted inhibition of fungal pathogens
- Spray-Induced Gene Suppression (SIGS) technology that disrupts fungal membrane formation
- Non-toxic and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides
- Specific action that avoids genetic modification of crops and harm to beneficial microbes
- Slow-release mechanisms for extended crop protection and shelf life
- Adaptable to a wide range of fungal pathogens for field and post-harvest use
- Addresses pathogen resistance issues associated with traditional agrichemicals