Rainbow Crops is a next-generation Agtech company focused on engineering complex, high-value agronomic traits that have long been difficult to address, allowing the development of crop varieties that are both climate resilient and optimized for yield and other key traits. These improved varieties are an important support to ensure the farmer’s income, which fits perfectly with the mission of Agri Investment Fund (“AIF”).
New VIB spin-off based on solid scientific research
Rainbow Crops has developed an integrated platform, Trait Foundry™, that combines continuously trained AI models with multiplex genome editing, precision breeding, and automated phenotyping. This technology enables the simultaneous enhancement of multiple traits by generating and testing rationally designed genetic diversity across a wide range of crop species. The platform’s scalability and applicability have already been demonstrated through initial proof-of-concept work. The company is targeting key agronomic traits such as drought tolerance, heat resilience and input efficiency – critical traits in the face of climate change that have long been difficult to improve through traditional plant breeding.
The company is led by serial biotech entrepreneur Giacomo Bastianelli who joins as Co-founder and CEO of Rainbow Crops. “When I first met with the VIB scientists behind the technology, I was impressed by the results, which revealed a transformative approach to engineering complex traits,” commented Giacomo Bastianelli. “We’re forging partnerships with seed and breeding companies to co-develop next-generation crop genetics that tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s agri-food systems.”
AIF continues to focus on innovation to support the agriculture and horticulture of the future
“We are happy to join a strong group of like-minded investors backing the incorporation of the new promising VIB initiative Rainbow Crops”, says Barbara Berckmans, Investment Manager at AIF. “As agriculture needs relevant innovation like this sooner rather than later, we did not have to think twice when asked to help fast-track this start-up based on such scientific excellence.”
The company launches operations with the support of a strong syndicate of European investors, comprising of Agri Investment Fund (AIF), PINC (the venture capital arm of Paulig Group), Qbic, and VIB, bringing deep expertise across agriculture, foodtech, and the commercialization of early-stage innovation.
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 Rainbow Crops
Rainbow Crops is a next-generation Agtech company developing climate-resilient, high performing crop varieties through its proprietary Trait Foundry™ platform. By integrating multiplex genome editing, artificial intelligence, precision breeding, and automated phenotyping, Rainbow Crops enables the simultaneous enhancement of multiple complex agronomic traits such as yield, input efficiency, and stress resilience. Founded in 2025 as a spin-off from the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Rainbow Crops builds on research supported by an ERC Advanced Grant and benefits from strategic infrastructure at VIB, including the VIB Agro- Incubator. The company collaborates with seed and breeding partners to co-develop advanced plant genetics tailored for sustainable agriculture and global food security. Learn more at https://www.rainbowcrops.com .
For further information, please contact:
AIF
Patrik Haesen, CEO
T: +32 (0)16 28 62 54 | E: pers@aifund.be
Rainbow Crops
Giacomo Bastianelli, CEO
T: +39 388 49 10 858 | E: giacomo.bastianelli@vib.be
Read the full press release here
