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DEFRA: Investment Portfolio & Startup News
DEFRA
Investment Portfolio
Versatile RobotX
17 Aug 2026
Versatile RobotX lands £1m led by British Design Fund to automate harvesting and crop handling with robotic systems
Versatile RobotX builds low-cost robotic systems that automate labour-intensive farm tasks such as harvesting and crop handling. The platform combines AI, machine vision, embedded intelligence and robotic manipulation, and is aimed at growers facing high labour costs and staffing shortages.
Ponda
21 Jul 2026
Ponda secures a £2.4m grant led by DEFRA to scale plant-based insulation and restore UK wetlands
Ponda is a biomaterials company behind BioPuff, a natural insulation used in jackets and accessories as a replacement for goose down and petroleum-based fills. The material is derived from bulrush, a wetland crop cultivated on restored peatland.
More venture news
- 19 Oct 2026
FrugaFruga secures a £1m in funding led by PXN Ventures to lower insurance renewal premiums through open banking
EquityFintech - 13 Oct 2026
SainapticSainaptic raises £1m in funding led by Cornerstone VC and Ufi Ventures for AI-assisted marking of vocational and professional qualifications
EquityEducation - 8 Oct 2026
IMMIXIMMIX raises £2.6m in funding led by Crane Venture Partners to make stablecoin payments easier for non-dollar currencies
EquityFintech
