SenseUP is a Cologne-based ag-biotech startup creating double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) biopesticides that selectively disable pests via RNA interference while sparing soil, plants, and wildlife. Its key innovation is engineering Corynebacterium strains that both encapsulate dsRNA inside robust cell walls and produce it at high titers, giving the products 18-plus months of room-temperature stability and production costs that can compete with synthetic chemicals. Proprietary fluorescence-activated biosensors screen millions of strains per second, allowing rapid identification of top dsRNA producers and enabling single products that can target multiple pests simultaneously. The company has completed initial field trials and is now advancing roughly 15 product candidates, with greenhouse and expanded field results expected in 2026. SenseUP plans to submit regulatory dossiers and commercialize through partnerships with major agricultural firms, initially focusing on the U.S. and South American markets while also eyeing Europe. The seed financing provides capital to expand its portfolio, grow its team, and deepen strategic collaborations. No revenue figures have been disclosed, and this seed raise represents the first publicly reported external funding for the company.

Total raised

$3M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Jan 2026