AI Fungal Detection Sensors

BioScout raised a $6.75 million seed round, co-led by Demea Sustainable Investment and Astanor, to expand its spore-detection network from 250 to 1,000 sensors worldwide by 2029. The AI-powered system continuously captures airborne particles on adhesive tape and analyzes high-resolution microscope images to identify fungal pathogens before visible crop symptoms appear.

Each sensor monitors more than 40 airborne threats, combining spore data with environmental conditions such as humidity and wind to estimate infection risk days in advance. Growers using the technology have reduced fungicide spray costs by up to 50%, and the Sydney-founded startup is now deploying units across potatoes, soybeans and vineyards in 15 countries on five continents.

BioScout's growth signals that real-time biological monitoring could become as fundamental to modern farming as irrigation sensors are today.

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