Wireless Energy, Automated Sugarcane, AI Crops, Farmer Credit, Sustainable Soy, On-Farm Bios, M&As, Funding Rounds
#12 BAR Brief
🎉Happy New Year to all🥳 Here's hoping for a wonderful 2025 🥂
Welcome to the BAR Brief - a weekly Brazil AgTech Report with key news and insights shaping the agrifood and climate tech ecosystems.
In this week’s edition…
AgTech
🌾 IBBX Powers AgTech with Wireless Energy 🚜
🍃 Atvos Automates Sugarcane Planting with Startups 🧑🌾
🌾 Taranis Expands AI to Brazil's Grain Sector 🌱
🍓 Open Solo Expands Beyond Fruits to Offer Credit Solutions 💳
Climate Tech
🌱 $150M for Sustainable Soy in Brazil 🌿
🐞 Brazil Approves Law for On-Farm Bioinput Production ✨
🐄 Brazil’s Path to Sustainable Livestock Farming 🔬
🌳 Soy Moratorium Overturned in Mato Grosso 📜
Funding Rounds
💰 TerraDot Raises $58M in Series A Round 🌎
🍬 MinusSugar Raises $15M for Healthy Food Alternatives 🍓
🚀Inspecto Agri Seeks R$48M to Scale Operations 💼
M&A
🍊Cutrale Family Expands in U.S. with Salad Market Deal🥬
💰 BRF Invests in Collagen Market for Growth and High Margins🧴
Jobs
📊 Senior Market Intelligence Analyst – Biond Agro 🌾
🌍 Country Fund Associate – Brazil ♻️
Sponsor
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AgTech
🌾 IBBX Powers AgTech with Wireless Energy 🚜
IBBX, a Brazilian startup, developed wireless energy technology that captures electromagnetic noise to power IoT devices—no batteries or wires needed. In 2024, it tripled revenue and secured R$ 200M+ in orders, including a deal with Atvos to use its tech in sugarcane harvesters and sprayers. Led by André Penha (ex-QuintoAndar), IBBX aims to expand into forestry and grain farming, boosting efficiency and sustainability with IoT innovations. 🌿read more
🍃 Atvos Automates Sugarcane Planting with Startups 🧑🌾
Atvos, a top Brazilian sugar and ethanol company, is investing R$3 billion in innovation (2024–2026). Through its Inov@tvos program, it launched 30+ projects with startups. Recent deals include funding BemAgro (R$15M) for agronomic data solutions and partnerships to automate the detection and correction of planting failures. Startups are developing tools for field mapping and automated gap correction, boosting productivity and efficiency. 🌿read more
🌾 Taranis Expands AI to Brazil's Grain Sector 🌱
Taranis, an Israeli AgTech specializing in crop monitoring, plans to expand its AI-driven services in Brazil's grain sector, targeting soybean and cotton crops. Currently overseeing 800,000 hectares of sugarcane—about 10% of Brazil's total—Taranis processes 3 million image samples to assist farmers. Their new Agri Assistant system integrates agronomic prescriptions to provide actionable recommendations on water usage, agrochemicals, and fertilizers, enhancing farm management. 🌿read more
🍓 Open Solo Expands Beyond Fruits to Offer Credit Solutions 💳
AgTech startup Open Solo, initially focused on fruit production, is now venturing into financial services to provide credit solutions for farmers. With recent funding, the company aims to simplify access to credit, helping farmers expand operations and modernize equipment. 🌿read more
Climate Tech
🌱 $150M for Sustainable Soy in Brazil 🌿
Traive, Opea, and SIM are raising $150M to fund deforestation-free soy production in Brazil’s Cerrado region for the 2025/26 season. The initiative, launched in 2022 with $11M from UK retailers, grew to $47M in 2023 with support from Rabobank and Santander. The goal is to triple funding this year. Farmers must meet strict environmental standards, including no deforestation after 2020 and preserving extra vegetation. 🌿read more
🐞 Brazil Approves Law for On-Farm Bioinput Production ✨
President Lula has sanctioned a new law to regulate on-farm bioinput production in Brazil. The measure promotes sustainable agriculture by providing legal certainty, tax incentives, and support for small farmers and cooperatives. It also allows farmers to produce bio inputs for personal use without registration, as long as best practices are followed. The new law is expected to accelerate innovation in biological pest control and soil health solutions, reducing reliance on chemical inputs and enhancing Brazil’s position as a leader in sustainable agribusiness. 🌿read more
🐄 Brazil’s Path to Sustainable Livestock Farming 🔬
Brazil is advancing toward more sustainable livestock farming through innovation and technology. Efforts focus on improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact, ensuring long-term sustainability. Investments in regenerative agriculture, carbon-neutral practices, and resource optimization are positioning Brazil as a global leader in eco-friendly livestock production. 🌿read more
🌳 Soy Moratorium Overturned in Mato Grosso 📜
Brazil’s Supreme Court has temporarily suspended a Mato Grosso state law that proposed revoking tax benefits for companies adhering to the Soy Moratorium. The moratorium is a private sector agreement prohibiting the purchase of soybeans from areas in the Amazon deforested after 2008. The law, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, would not only block new tax incentives and public land grants for trading companies enforcing the moratorium but also suspend existing benefits. The Supreme Court will rule at a later date on the constitutionality of the law.🌿read more
Funding Rounds
💰 TerraDot Raises $58M in Series A Round 🌎
TerraDot, an AgTech startup, secured $58 million in a Series A funding round to expand its innovative solutions for sustainable farming. The investment will fuel technology development and scaling operations, helping farmers improve efficiency and productivity while addressing climate challenges. 🌿read more
🍬 MinusSugar Raises $15M for Healthy Food Alternatives 🍓
MinusSugar, a food-tech startup, secured $15 million in funding to expand its line of low-sugar and healthier food options. The investment will fuel product development, market expansion, and help meet the rising demand for health-conscious alternatives. 🌿read more
🚀Inspecto Agri Seeks R$48M to Scale Operations 💼
Agfintech Inspecto Agri is seeking R$48 million in funding to scale its business and launch Fiagro, a financial product focused on agricultural investments. The company aims to support farmers with digital solutions that streamline financing, improve transparency, and optimize resource allocation. This initiative aligns with Brazil’s push for agricultural innovation and sustainable growth, offering farmers modern tools to access capital and boost productivity. 🌿read more
M&A Deals
🍊Cutrale Family Expands in U.S. with Salad Market Deal🥬
Brazil’s Cutrale family, the world’s largest orange producer, has boosted its international presence by acquiring McEntire Produce, a major player in the U.S. salad market. This strategic move, carried out by Cutrale’s subsidiary Fresh Express, diversifies the company’s portfolio of activities in agribusiness, away from a previously high concentration in orange juice. The company did not disclose the amount paid for the acquisition. 🌿read more
💰 BRF Invests in Collagen Market for Growth and High Margins🧴
Brazilian food giant BRF has entered the collagen market by purchasing a 50% stake in Londrina-based Gelprime for around $50m. BRF says it was drawn by the segment’s 30% profit margins and rising demand for health and beauty products. Collagen is booming in industries like skincare and nutrition, aligning with trends in wellness and functional foods. This strategic move diversifies BRF’s portfolio and taps into the premium market, combining profitability with innovation. 🌿read more
Jobs
📊 Senior Market Intelligence Analyst – Biond Agro 🌾
📍 Location: São Paulo
💼 Hybrid Role: 3 days in office, 2 days from home ✨apply
🌍 Country Fund Associate – Brazil ♻️
🌱 Organization: UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions)
💼 Focus: Supporting sustainable development and climate transitions ✨apply
If you are a Brazilian AgriFood or Climate Tech startup with a job opening, feel free to get in touch to post it on here.
Thanks for reading!
KFG
Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil, primarily in agricultural commodities. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in early-stage agrifood tech startups. All views, opinions, and commentary expressed are strictly his own.