RootWave, the UK-based pioneer in electrical weed control, has successfully raised $15 million to scale its sustainable, chemical-free solution for eliminating weeds – including herbicide-resistant varieties – using electricity.
The round was led by Clay Capital, a specialist food and agriculture venture fund, with participation from Agri Investment Fund – the investment arm of the Belgian collective Boerenbond Group – as well as vineyard-focused Xinomavro Ventures, Naruhisa Nakagawa, founder and CIO of Caygan Capital, Jorge Heraud, former CEO and Co-founder of Blue River Technology (acquired by John Deere), and returning investors V-Bio Ventures, Rabo Ventures and PYMWYMIC. The round includes $3 million in debt facilities provided by Innovate UK as part of the UK’s Future Economy initiative.
At a time when agrifoodtech investment has fallen to its lowest levels in five years, RootWave’s success underscores the urgent demand for sustainable agriculture solutions.
The $40+ billion herbicide industry is facing unprecedented challenges from herbicide-resistant weeds and tightening regulation due to safety concerns. While alternative solutions such as mechanical, laser, and thermal weeding have emerged, RootWave stands out for its unmatched combination of efficacy, cost competitiveness, and safety. Its market leading technology eliminates weeds without damaging soils or crops, with field performance rivalling that of chemical herbicides.
RootWave manufactures tractor-mounted implements using its patented high-frequency electricity that delivers exceptional performance, achieving up to 99% kill rates in a single pass during independent field trials. Compatible with conventional, regenerative and organic farming systems, the technology helps farmers protect yields and profits while safeguarding human health and the environment.
RootWave has commercial sales in the UK and has also secured international manufacturing and distribution agreements, including a partnership with leading mechanical weeding company, Garford Farm Machinery. The company is actively conducting trials with several other agrimachinery manufacturers to expand distribution across Europe, with plans to enter the US market thereafter. RootWave’s electrical weeding technology is suitable for a wide range of crops from tree, bush and vine crops, to row crops including vegetables, broad-acre, and cereals.
With this new funding, RootWave is set to accelerate both regional and international rollout, drive forward its mission to replace chemical herbicides use worldwide, and become the new standard for sustainable weed control.
Andrew Diprose, CEO of RootWave, commented: “This fundraising allows RootWave to accelerate its growth. We are grateful for the support from our customers, partners, and employees, and look forward to working with the new investors. Together, we will grow RootWave to become the dominant global player in weed control.’
“Decades of chemical herbicides overuse have made resistant weeds one of agriculture’s toughest challenges. We chose to back RootWave because it offers farmers an affordable, effective, and safe alternative to chemical herbicides,” shared Darren Leong, Principal at Clay Capital. “Having known Andrew and the team for over seven years, we have seen their technology evolve from concept to commercial launch, partnering with some of the world’s leading agriculture machinery companies. RootWave is now well-positioned to become the solution of choice for farmers seeking a safer and more effective option”.
Patrik Haesen, CEO of Agri Investment Fund, comments: “Weed control being an increasing challenge for farmers, we are excited to support RootWave bringing its technology to market. Providing a non-chemical and sustainable solution that destroys weeds down to the roots is a true gamechanger for agriculture.”
Contact
Andrew Diprose Chief Executive Officer +44 7816 312039 andrew.diprose@rootwave.com
For sales and marketing:
Tom Archer Head of Sales and Marketing +44 7880 786460 tom.archer@rootwave.com
About RootWave
RootWave manufactures machines that kill weeds using electricity, completely replacing the need for chemical herbicides — saving farmers money while protecting human health and the environment. Its electrical weeding technology is highly effective, does not disturb the soil, and is compatible with both organic and regenerative farming systems. RootWave’s patented technology uses high frequency alternating current for effective and environmentally friendly weed control. Jorge Heraud, former Co-Founder and CEO of Blue River Technology which exited to John Deere for over USD 300 million, sits on the advisory board of RootWave. www.rootwave.com
About Clay Capital
Headquartered in Singapore, Clay Capital supports ambitious teams that are developing transformative solutions for a healthier, safer, and more regenerative agri-food system. Pioneers in making impactful investments in agrifood tech, Clay Capital is backed by significant institutional investors, including government-linked funds, supranational entities, banks, insurance companies, and prominent families in the agrifood industry. www.claycapital.vc
About Agri Investment Fund
Agri Investment Fund BV (“AIF”) is the private equity and venture capital fund of the group Boerenbond (Farmers’ Union) and wishes through its investments to contribute directly or indirectly to a stronger and more sustainable agriculture and horticulture in Flanders and German speaking Belgium. Its investments have a focus within the Ag-Tech and Agro-Food domains aiming at stimulating innovation and as such helping to build a stronger agriculture of the future, allowing farmers and horticulturists to provide high-quality products at honest prices. www.aifund.be.
About Xinomavro Ventures
Xinomavro Ventures invests in early-stage startups in AgTech, WineTech and Beverage innovations. Founded in 2023 by Grégoire Letort and Guillaume de Pracomtal, it supports startups that create a more sustainable future for the wine & beverage industry. www.xinomavro-ventures.com
About V-Bio Ventures
V-Bio Ventures is an independent venture capital firm specialized in financing and supporting innovative life sciences companies. Since its inception in 2015 the fund invests across Europe in high growth potential startups and young companies targeting transformational innovations in the biotech, pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors. www.v-bio.ventures
About Rabo Ventures
Rabo Ventures, part of Rabobank, partners with early stage companies across the value chain to support their growth ambitions and enable the vital transitions needed in global Food & Agriculture. We invest behind stellar management teams building solutions for real problems with a focus on driving innovation and sustainability. With a local presence in more than 40 countries, Rabobank is the global leader in Food & Agriculture banking. As part of Rabobank’s captive investment franchise, Rabo Investments, we leverage the banks platform, knowledge and network to help sustain and grow your business while accelerating transitions that matter. www.raboinvestments.com/team/ventures/
About Pymwymic
Pymwymic (Put Your Money Where Your Meaning Is Community) has taken a frontrunner role in the transition towards investing with care for both people and planet since 1994. Backed by over 250 individuals, families, entrepreneurs and angel investors and joined by institutional investors, we have launched two Article 9 compliant impact funds, currently investing through the Healthy Food Systems Impact Fund II. This fund focuses on early-stage AgriFood scale-ups that offer pioneering solutions in areas like sustainable farming, food waste reduction, and regenerative agriculture. www.pymwymic.com
Images
RootWave F601 machine for vine-and-tree-crops.
RootWave F601 machine for vine-and-tree-crops.
2 weeks after RootWave treatment of a vineyard.
