HELSINKI, Finland – Paulig ’s venture arm PINC is investing in the UK agritech startup Elaniti. The company is developing a digital decision-support tool that uses AI and DNA sequencing to decode the microbial composition of soil, enabling farmers to optimise productivity while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. The investment supports Paulig’s aim to develop a food system that enables the well-being of people and the planet.
A sound soil health can contribute to improved biodiversity, water holding capacity, less erosion and carbon sequestration. In addition, the quality of the soil and its microbiome affects both yield and pest resilience of the crops growing on them. While soil chemical and physical properties are often measured, biological activity – the microbes driving soil health and crop outcomes – remains largely unknown.
Since 2000, there has been increasing awareness of how agrochemicals harm the soil microbiome and ecosystems, prompting a shift towards using fewer synthetic inputs. The European Union (EU) aims to reduce pesticide use by 50% and fertilizers 20% by 2030¹, and both the EU and UK are promoting sustainable farming with initiatives like the EU’s “Farm to Fork Strategy” and the UK’s “Agricultural Transition Plan”. Retailers and consumers also support sustainable practices², encouraging farmers to adopt greener methods. Critics warn these targets may reduce crop yields, potentially threatening food security, so farmers need an increased “toolbox” in their agricultural practices, while expectations of steady crop yield persist.
Elaniti’s breakthrough technology addresses a critical knowledge gap in agriculture. By linking microbial data to agronomic performance like yield and disease pressure, Elaniti provides farmers with actionable insights to improve productivity while building healthier, more resilient soils.
“Elaniti’s ambition to decode the complexity of the soil microbiome and translate it into actionable insights for farmers is groundbreaking”, says Rosemari Herrero, Senior Investment Manager at PINC. “Their traction demonstrates that they are tackling a crucial challenge in agriculture, and we are impressed by their ability to generate revenue from day one as well as their early results in wheat, one of Paulig’s most important crops. We believe the team will play a key role in the shift towards healthier soils and we are happy to support alongside such great co-investors.”
“Soil is the foundation of our food system, but modern agriculture has strained its health. The soil microbiome holds the key to restoring fertility, resilience, and reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. By unlocking its potential, we can help farmers produce food sustainably while regenerating the land for future generations”, says Scott Jarrett, CEO of Elaniti.
Scaling up for impact
With this financing round of 1.5 MEUR where PINC was joined by Biotope and Planetary Impact Ventures, Elaniti will strengthen its team and expand its research efforts to accelerate the launch of its predictive analytics platform. The company continues to forge partnerships with agribusiness leaders, ensuring its insights are actionable and validated in real-world conditions.
1 https://food.ec.europa.eu/plants/pesticides/sustainable-use-pesticides/farm-fork-targets-progress_en, https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/sustainability/environmental-sustainability/low-input-farming/nutrients_en
2 https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/consumers-care-about-sustainability-and-back-it-up-with-their-wallets
