Leuven, 23 July 2026
Agri Investment Fund (AIF) is participating in a EUR 26 million financing round in Moa Technology (Moa), a spin-out of the University of Oxford that develops new herbicides with novel modes of action. With this investment, AIF strengthens its portfolio of innovative technologies that contribute to more efficient and sustainable crop protection and weed control. The financing round was led by Oxford Science Enterprises and Supernova Invest, an investor affiliated with the French Crédit Agricole group, and was supported by both existing and new investors. The new financing round will enable the company to expand its pipeline of early-stage herbicide programmes.
The search for new herbicides
The use of herbicides is under increasing pressure worldwide. More and more weeds are developing resistance to existing products, while the number of authorised products is declining due to stricter regulation. As a result, farmers must rely on a shrinking number of solutions, which further accelerates resistance pressure and increases the need for new modes of action, while very few new products are being developed.
With its unique screening platform, Moa aims to address this challenge. By using microscopic plants, the platform accelerates the discovery of new herbicides and bioherbicides with innovative modes of action. The platform has already identified more than 80 novel modes of action, which control weeds in entirely different ways and can therefore overcome resistance to existing herbicides. Following successful validation in greenhouse trials, Moa’s new molecules have delivered particularly strong performance in international field trials over successive seasons.
In addition to developing new herbicides, Moa is also working on so-called Moa Amplifiers™, molecules that are not herbicidal in themselves but can enhance the effect of existing herbicides. As a result, they may contribute to lower use rates or reduced doses of certain products, without compromising efficacy.
A strong innovation partner for resilient and sustainable agriculture
Thanks to its impressive results, Moa has entered into several agreements over the past two years with leading companies in the crop protection sector, including Nufarm, Gowan and Certis Belchim. Recently (press release of 7 July 2026), Moa and Corteva also announced a multi-year R&D collaboration to accelerate the development of new herbicide solutions. This further strengthens Moa’s position as a key innovation partner in the sector. For AIF, Moa’s unique research achievements, combined with its collaborations with these globally leading players, provide important validation of the company’s potential.
“This marks a major milestone for Moa Technology – a validation of the outstanding progress we have made not just in the laboratory, but also in striking commercial deals with leading industry partners around the world.” said Virginia Corless, CEO of Moa. “We are particularly pleased that, through AIF in Europe and GrainInnovate in Australia, the farming sector itself is closely connected to this next phase of Moa’s development, helping accelerate the delivery of our solutions to the fields where they are so urgently needed.”
“This investment fits perfectly with AIF’s ambition to support innovative technologies that contribute to stronger and more sustainable agriculture,” added Patrik Haesen, CEO of AIF. “Moa addresses the growing need for new weed-control solutions within an increasingly stringent regulatory environment. At the same time, with this first investment in new herbicides, AIF strengthens its portfolio in crop protection.”
About AIF
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. More information can be found on www.aifund.be
About Moa Technology
Moa Technology is a spin-out of the University of Oxford, founded in 2017, and develops new herbicides with promising novel modes of action (MoA) that can overcome weed resistance to existing herbicides. The company has commercial collaborations with, among others, Nufarm and Certis Belchim, as well as a recently announced research collaboration with Corteva Agriscience. www.moa-technology.com
For more information, please contact:
AIF
Patrik Haesen, CEO
T: +32 (0)16 28 62 54 | E: pers@aifund.be
Moa Technology
Alexandra Ranson, Head of Corporate Affairs
T: +44 7946 283956 | E: Alexandra.ranson@moa-technology.com
