BASF invests in Israeli AgTech startup Equinom for seed breeding

In Israel, BASF Venture Capital is the lead investor in a funding round for Israeli AgTech startup Equinom. Equinom’s computerized breeding technology provides optimized seeds for the food industry to help it meet growing demand for plant-based products used as ingredients, clean label packed goods and healthier lifestyle cuisine.

With this investment, BASF Venture Capital promotes BASF’s strategy of applying innovative solutions in agriculture. Existing investors who also joined this round include, among others, Fortissimo Capital, a leading Israeli private equity fund that invests primarily in the technology, AgTech and industrial sectors, as well as Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients for food, nutrition and health markets and a pioneer in new vegetal proteins.

The Equinom algorithm analyzes the genomic characteristics from its database of thousands of plants to determine the ideal breeding combination to achieve the desired properties. The system evaluates millions of possible combinations to design optimized seeds that focus on protein, oil or nutrient content, seeds’ functionality, plant yield, disease resistance and other qualities. Equinom then uses the conventional method to crossbreed the plants whose genetic codes complement each other best. Using this exclusive technology and approach, the startup selectively optimizes varieties targeted to food producers’ needs, by creating an application-based solution.