Liberation Bio has "no acceptable offers," ransomware on the rise, layoffs at Carbon Robotics, 'dependable 'biologicals, pulsed light for zapping weeds, mystery bidder for Believer Meats, physical AI for forestry

AFN & AgFunderOct 23, 2026

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This week: If lack of fit-for-purpose manufacturing capacity was a critical bottleneck for next-gen precision fermented ingredients, why is Liberation Bio struggling to raise the funds to get its Indiana facility over the finish line?

Elsewhere, robotics hit the headlines as Kodama raised $7m to scale physical AI for forestry, Reservoir Farms announced a new site in Washington, and Earth Rover gave us the lowdown on zapping weeds with pulsed light.

There was less positive news at Carbon Robotics, however, which blamed “broader economic conditions” for an undisclosed number of layoffs.

Plus:

Believer Meats: Unnamed bidder submits LOI re. US site
Dependable biologicals? IMIO raises $12m
Illuminated fermentation: Brevel plans large facility in India
Agentic analytics: Lumi AI finds new home at Newforma
RNAi: SenseUP’s mission to take the tech mainstream
‘Relational traceability’: Cotton Diaries launches new report
Yogurt to renewable energy: The week's biggest agrifoodtech headlines

And finally, agrifood is on track to have a record number of ransomware incidences this year, but businesses large and small can still take steps to ensure greater security.

Have a great week! Louisa, Jenn, and Elaine

And a big thanks to this week's headline sponsor:

‘No acceptable offers’ for Liberation Bioindustries as firm seeks to plug $25m funding gap

Why is the firm struggling to raise funds? Elaine Watson

Recent agrifood cyberattacks are ‘a wakeup call’ for the industry as ransomware incidences increase

No agrifood business is immune, but all of them can take precautionary steps now to secure their operations, says Food and Ag-ISAC. Jennifer Marston

Layoffs at Carbon Robotics as firm “realigns costs due to broader economic conditions”

One former employee claimed the firm had “rapidly scaled headcount only to issue a sudden massive layoff months later, with some employees let go just weeks after starting.” Elaine Watson

Unnamed bidder submits LOI to acquire Believer Meats’ US site

The receiver has also received a draft asset purchase agreement from key creditor Gray Construction. Elaine Watson

IMIO raises $12m to unlock nutrients trapped in crop residues with new generation of ‘dependable ag biologicals’

IMIO's freeze-dried biologicals can deliver yield improvements, fertilizer savings, and tillage savings, says CEO Charles Smith. Elaine Watson

Kodama nets $7m to scale physical AI for ‘intelligent forestry’

Loggers face growing demand for timber, forest management, and wildfire-resilience but struggle to find and retain reliable operators. Elaine Watson

Reservoir Farms expands to Pacific Northwest to accelerate physical AI

“This year Reservoir Farms is profitable. We'll do $5m+ ARR in 2026," says founder Danny Bernstein. Elaine Watson

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🎥 Earth Rover bets on pulsed light to tackle weeds without chemicals

Earth Rover's CLAWS robot targets individual weeds with pulsed light to destroy the meristem without harming surrounding plants or soil. Elaine Watson

Brevel teams up with The Wave Group to scale illuminated fermentation in India

Construction at the 300,000-L site will begin later this year, with full-scale production set to commence in 18 months. Elaine Watson

Lumi AI finds new home at Newforma as agentic analytics gathers pace - AgFunder portfolio co!

AI that touches project decisions must meet three tests, says Newforma. Answers must be explainable, verifiable, and accurate. Elaine Watson

🎥 SenseUP aims to take RNAi pesticides from niche to mainstream

Traditional pesticides are blunt instruments. RNAi is far more precise, if you can overcome cost and stability challenges, says SenseUP. Elaine Watson

It will take more than data to improve traceability in the cotton supply chain

New research supported by Cotton Diaries explores the idea of "relational traceability" and making farmers a key source of intel. Jennifer Marston

AgriFood Signals: Danone turns yogurt into renewable energy, Bison Ventures lands $160m, biochar projects

Plus: hackers at John Deere. Jennifer Marston

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US spray drone market “very much in flux” as firms attempt to navigate evolving landscape, says ASDC

The challenge has been compounded by a recent FCC proposal that could ban sales of existing foreign-made drones as well as new models. Elaine Watson

It’s time to take action on cybersecurity in agrifood

This week, hackers forced up temperature in freezers and fridges at several hundred French supermarkets, causing food spoilage and fires. Jennifer Marston

UK Agri-Tech Centre to slash workforce by 60% in strategic pivot

The move is “not a cost-cutting exercise" but reflects a shift to a new operating model, says its chief engagement officer. Elaine Watson