SugaROx

Introduction

With the global population projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, and over 208 million people already facing high levels of acute food insecurity in 2024, the need for sustainable food production has never been greater. Biostimulants have emerged as one of the most promising solutions to support global food security, with demand for these products growing at an estimated 11% CAGR.

That’s where SugaROx comes in. A spin-out from Rothamsted Research and the University of Oxford, SugaROx is leading the way in precision biostimulants. Its first product, Trehalose-6-Phosphate (T6P), boosts yields and resilience in crops by targeting plant energy regulation pathways. With a new £1 million seed round extension – including £400,000 from Mosaic, with the remainder from existing investors UKI2S, Regenerate Ventures and angel backers. – the company is accelerating its timeline to bring its solutions to farmers worldwide

The Science

SugaROx’s innovation centres on Trehalose-6-Phosphate (T6P), a natural plant sugar signal molecule. T6P inhibits SnRK1, an enzyme that signals energy scarcity in plants. By interrupting this process, plants are encouraged to grow more efficiently, resulting in improved yields and greater resilience.

Applied by spray, the T6P-based formulation enhances carbon allocation in the crop, boosting yield potential. Safety testing completed in 2024 confirmed a strong regulatory outlook, enabling SugaROx to share product samples with partners for large-scale field validation. Initial trials in wheat have already demonstrated up to 22% yield gains, significantly outperforming existing solutions.

In 2025, the company began extending its research into soybean and maize, paving the way for market entry in the US and Brazil following expected launches in the UK (2027) and EU (2028).

UKI2S Impact

UKI2S has played a critical role in backing SugaROx from its early stages through to global expansion. Recent support has enabled the company to accelerate manufacturing from in-house lab production to a pilot facility, fast-tracking commercialisation.

£350,000

As Investor Partner alongside an Innovate UK grant

£3.4M

Total capital raised to date (Inclusive of a £2.4M grant from the UK’s national innovation agency)

Andy Muir, Managing Director, UKI2S, (Managed by Future Planet Capital)

“SugaROx is a brilliant example of how world-class UK science can translate into globally relevant innovation. SugaROx's technology is grounded in real agronomic impact - increasing crop resilience and productivity in the face of climate and economic pressures. We’re proud to have supported SugaRox early on their journey pushing the boundaries of crop science, but doing so with the potential to transform global agriculture.”

Alongside financial support, UKI2S has been instrumental in providing strategic guidance, board-level input, and introductions to co-investors. Together with Regenerate Ventures and The Mosaic Company, UKI2S has helped position SugaROx as a global leader in sustainable agricultural technology.

With UKI2S involvement, SugaROx now has access to established trial networks in the US and Mosaic’s TruResponse® digital platform, allowing the company to validate its first product at scale. This collaboration is accelerating SugaROx’s mission to provide farmers worldwide with reliable, science-driven tools for resilient and sustainable food production.

The world urgently needs innovative agricultural technologies to overcome food insecurity, climate stress, and rising demand. With the support of UKI2S and global partners, SugaROx is delivering a pioneering biostimulant platform that combines world-class science with commercial scalability. Its precision solutions promise to help farmers optimise productivity, strengthen resilience, and support food security – sustainably and profitably – for generations to come.

© UKI2S and Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited. All Rights Reserved. UKI2S is managed by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited which is Authorised and Regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 148549. Registered in England and Wales. Company Number 2500898. Registered Address: Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited, 1 Scott Place, 2 Hardman Street, Manchester, M3 3AA.

The Science

UKI2S Impact

Andy Muir, Managing Director, UKI2S, (Managed by Future Planet Capital)

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