SAN DIEGO-- September 02, 2021 -- Radicle Growth, a company-building platform for early-stage ag and food technologies, today announces its partnership with UPL, a global provider of sustainable agriculture products and solutions. The partners have come together to run “The Radicle Carbon and Soil Challenge by UPL”, which sets out to invest $1.25M USD in two start-up companies that can positively impact and reduce the carbon footprint and improve soil health of the food value chain.

The Challenge provides a platform to explore disruptive and innovative technologies across the entire food value chain, covering soil health, digital tools, supply chain tech, biologicals, plant nutrition, fintech, carbon markets, MRV, new business models, and livestock management.

A $1 million USD investment will be made in The Challenge winner and a $250,000 USD investment in the second-place winner in order to accelerate their growth. Register now for early application through https://radicle.vc/carbon-soil-early-applicant-form/

Jai Shroff, Global CEO, UPL Ltd. said:

“At UPL we strongly believe in the power of open collaboration to connect people and problems with game-changing technologies and solutions. That is why we are launching The Radicle Carbon and Soil Challenge in partnership with Radicle Growth, to pool the best ideas, innovators, start-ups and scientists that will help protect and preserve one of our most valuable natural assets: soil.”

Kirk Haney, Managing Partner, Radicle Growth, said: “Feeding our growing population is of utmost importance and our farmers do an incredible job at this - the challenge is mitigating the environmental impact that producing food leaves. We are excited to work collaboratively with UPL to find and fund the entrepreneurs who are solving this problem.”

Investment decisions will be made during a “Pitch Day” in San Francisco in March 2022. A judging panel of industry experts, soon to be announced, will hear from 4-6 finalists who will be chosen from the global applicant pool. In addition to the funding, the winners will also get access to advice from both UPL and Radicle senior executives to help accelerate their company’s business and technical efforts.

For more information on the Radicle Carbon and Soil Challenge by UPL, and to apply, visit: https://radicle.vc/the-radicle-challenge/.