Toopi Organics, a French startup, has secured $17.2 million in funding for its innovative urine-based biostimulants. Biostimulants are substances that enhance plant growth, improve health, increase nutrient absorption, and boost crop yield. While urine has been used as fertilizer for thousands of years, Toopi takes it a step further by fermenting it to create their product, Lactopi Start.
According to Toopi, Lactopi Start is highly effective and can reduce the reliance on synthetic fertilizers by up to 50%. This not only enhances sustainability but also decreases costs in the agricultural sector. The company aims to cover 600,000 hectares of European crops with their biostimulant by 2027, which will require over 2 million liters of urine.
To achieve this goal, Toopi plans to expand its urine collection network. Currently, the company partners with highway rest stop operators, a music festival port-a-potty leasing company, and a French theme park. With the recently secured funding, Toopi will establish two new facilities in France and Belgium to store and convert the collected urine into biostimulants.
The successful funding round indicates growing interest in sustainable agricultural practices. By utilizing a readily available and renewable resource like urine, Toopi hopes to disrupt the fertilizer industry. They aim to offer their urine-based biostimulant as a competitive alternative that can capture market share from synthetic fertilizers.
With the funds in place, Toopi can further develop its product and expand its reach across the agricultural sector. By providing a viable and eco-friendly solution, Toopi aims to revolutionize farming practices and contribute to a more sustainable future for food production.
Sources:
– AgFunderNews: [source]
– Defining biostimulants: substances that enhance plant growth, improve health, increase nutrient absorption, and boost crop yield.
– Source article: [source]