Swanlaab Innvierte Boosts Catalan Startup KOA Biotech with €2 Million Funding for Aquaculture Innovation
Swanlaab Innvierte Agrifood-Tech, a prominent venture capital firm, has spearheaded a €2 million investment round in KOA Biotech, a Catalan biotechnology startup dedicated to early infection detection in aquaculture. This funding aims to accelerate KOA Biotech's technological advancements and broaden its commercial footprint.
Founded by Sira Mogas as a spin-off from the University Pompeu Fabra, KOA Biotech has developed an innovative system combining proprietary biosensors with advanced algorithms. This autonomous technology enables the early detection of infections in aquaculture environments, facilitating timely interventions that reduce pathogen-related mortality and the reliance on antibiotics.
The aquaculture industry, which supplies over half of the fish consumed globally, faces significant challenges due to infections that can lead to production losses of up to 30%. Economically, these losses are estimated to exceed $6 billion annually. KOA Biotech's solution addresses these critical issues by providing a means to monitor water quality and fish health proactively, thereby enhancing sustainability and productivity within the sector.
Nora Alonso, General Partner at Swanlaab Innvierte Agrifood-Tech, emphasized the importance of investing in innovative companies like KOA Biotech. She stated, "The investment in technological and innovative companies like KOA is key to developing and valuing research conducted in this sector in Spain, serving as a lever for development and differentiation of the country's agri-food sector with global impact." Alonso also highlighted the role of such investments in attracting foreign capital, noting the participation of international funds like Austria's Fund-F and Portugal's FABER in this round.
The €2 million investment is earmarked for advancing KOA Biotech's technological development and expanding its commercial presence. This strategic funding is expected to bolster the company's growth trajectory and solidify its position in the aquaculture biotechnology market.
This investment aligns with broader efforts to support innovation in the biotechnology sector. For instance, in October 2023, the government of Catalonia committed €7 million to alternative protein research, aiming to position the region as a hub for sustainable food production. Similarly, in September 2023, the UK government announced a £2 million funding boost for high-risk, high-reward cancer research projects, underscoring the importance of supporting pioneering scientific endeavours. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the critical role that biotechnology plays in addressing global challenges.
The collaboration between Swanlaab Innvierte Agrifood-Tech and KOA Biotech exemplifies the dynamic nature of the biotechnology investment landscape. By focusing on early-stage companies with innovative solutions, investors are not only fostering technological advancements but also contributing to the sustainable development of vital industries such as aquaculture.
As the aquaculture sector continues to grapple with the dual challenges of disease management and environmental sustainability, solutions like those offered by KOA Biotech are poised to make a significant impact. The successful implementation of early infection detection technologies could lead to healthier fish populations, reduced antibiotic usage, and more sustainable aquaculture practices globally.
In summary, the €2 million investment in KOA Biotech by Swanlaab Innvierte Agrifood-Tech represents a strategic move to advance early infection detection technologies in aquaculture. This partnership not only underscores the importance of supporting innovative biotech startups but also highlights the critical role of investment in driving sustainable practices within the aquaculture industry.
