Key Takeaways:
- Toopi Organics has received an €8.4 million grant from the European Innovation Council Accelerator.
- The funding will support the development of agricultural products derived from human urine.
- Toopi Organics addresses Europe’s dependency on fertilizer imports and increasing droughts.
- The company has already launched a biostimulant product in France and Belgium.
- Toopi Organics plans to conduct 120 agricultural trials in six EU member states.
Toopi Organics’ Significant Funding Achievement
Toopi Organics, a French biotechnology startup, has been granted €8.4 million by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. This funding, comprising a €2.4 million grant and €6 million in equity to be invested in 2025, aims to develop the agricultural use of human urine in Europe. This comes after the company raised 16.5 million euros in its last funding round.
Addressing Europe’s Agricultural Challenges
Europe faces significant agricultural challenges, including a heavy reliance on imported fertilizers and increasing drought conditions. The company’s initiative seeks to address these issues by utilizing human urine, an abundant resource, in agricultural applications.
The Potential of Human Urine in Agriculture
Alexandra Carpentier, CEO of Toopi Organics, emphasizes the potential of human urine to close the nutrient cycle between consumers and farmers. While urine alone does not contain enough nutrients for plant growth, it is an excellent medium for cultivating agriculturally beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms can enhance soil phosphorus solubilization, capture atmospheric nitrogen, or protect crops from water stress.
Expansion and Product Development
The French Biotech company plans to use the funding to increase production capacity and develop new products. The company aims to distribute over 5 million liters of urine-based biostimulants across Europe by 2029. Additionally, Toopi Organics has launched its first product, Lactopi Start, a biostimulant that promotes plant growth and optimizes phosphorus assimilation.
Future Plans and Trials
The company will conduct 120 agricultural trials in six EU member states: Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. These trials will test the effectiveness of their products on local crops and explore the needs of different European regions.
Image provided by Toopi Organics
