- 500 Global, Better Bite Ventures, people, participated in this round
- Money will be used to level activities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand &, Vietnam
Qarbotech Sdn Bhd, which claims to be a technology pioneer in photosynthesis enhancement through advanced carbon quantum dots, has announced its expansion across Southeast Asia, driven by US$ 1.5 million ( RM6.2 million ) in a seed round , from investors, including 500 Global, Better Bite Ventures, ID Capital, EQT Foundation, and Epic Angels Limited.
Launched in 2018, the , investment , solidifies , Qarbotech ‘s , commitment to introducing its pioneering technology to new markets. It had earlier announced in Feb that it raised US$ 700, 000 in a plant square. The most recent statement is characterized as its grain expansion round. Data from Crunchbase , shows Temasek Foundation among its owners, while Khazanah Nasional gave it a give and Petronas Future Tech gave aid with non-equity help.
The funding , may allow it to range functions in areas such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, where demand for innovative agricultural solutions is rising.
” We’re thrilled to embark on this new section of growth”, said Chor Chee Hoe, CEO of Qarbotech. ” Our solution, QarboGrow, is a milestone in plant science, using natural, biodegradable carbon quantum dots to dramatically improve light intake and increase crop yields by up to 60 %. This addresses issues with food safety and optimizes the use of fertilizers, thereby reducing the need for a lot of software that can cause dirt pollution and degradation.
As part of its development, Qarbotech is opening its second manufacturing center in Puchong, Malaysia, capable of producing 100, 000 gallons of QarboGrow regular. This facility represents a major step forward in meeting the country’s growing need for cutting-edge agricultural technology.
Amirul Merican, COO of Qarbotech, stated,” This purchase will help us to increase production and bring our branded alternatives to more farmers in the region, enabling them to make more with less economic impact.
The entrepreneur behind Qarbotech’s breakthrough technologies is Prof Dr Suraya Abdul Rashid, a leading nano scientist ranked among the nation’s top 2 % experts in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Her research supports the foundational knowledge of QarboGrow more, in line with the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the finding of quantum dots.
” With over two decades of experience in nano, I am thrilled to discover classical lines finally achieving useful, large-scale influence in agriculture”, said Prof Dr Suraya, chairman and chief professor of Qarbotech and director of the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University Putra Malaysia. ” Our patented technology addresses the inconsistencies of photosynthesis using a scalable and sustainable approach, bypassing the need for genetic modifications, allowing us to directly address challenges in crop yield and climate resilience.”
Qarbotech’s innovations are already making an impact. A pilot project with PT Iceh Agro Indonesia in Indonesia that involved 400 hectares of rice fields increased yields by up to one tonne per hectare and significantly increased farmer incomes.
” Imagine the same farmer with the same land, labour, and workflow being able to produce up to 60 % more food. Qarbotech’s photosynthesis multiplier makes that possible. We are proud to provide additional financing to Qarbotech and believe their technology will be mission-critical for regions vulnerable to climate change”, said Khailee Ng, managing partner, 500 Global.
Michal Klar, founding partner at Better Bite Ventures, added,” Qarbotech embodies our commitment to supporting a more sustainable, climate-friendly food system through transformative technology, improving economic outcomes while lowering emissions. This innovative team and their effort to transform the world food system are a success, in our opinion.
The potential to increase crop yields across a range of climates and agricultural practices presents a significant market opportunity with over 500 million smallholder farmers worldwide.
” During our entrepreneurship competition in Southeast Asia, Qarbotech surprised us with their breakthrough in photosynthesis enhancement. Their innovation demonstrates that it is possible to increase farmers ‘ yields and economic outcomes while lowering carbon emissions. With EQT’s global expertise in agricultural investments, we aim to help Qarbotech overcome barriers to achieving scale”, said Cilia Holmes Indahl, CEO of EQT Foundation.
Beyond boosting productivity, QarboGrow’s unique carbon quantum dot technology promotes carbon sequestration by enabling plants to store more carbon dioxide, which results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. With each litre of product increasing carbon dioxide capture, QarboGrow’s global scaling could have a significant impact on efforts to combat climate change. This opens up the doors to carbon credits and offsets, which are becoming increasingly important in a world where emissions reduction is a top priority.
With far-reaching economic and environmental effects, Qarbotech’s technology is a breakthrough in agritech with increased yields and climate action.