Harpe Raises $10.5M to Develop Natural Bioherbicide

Harpe Bioherbicide Solutions, an agtech technology company providing natural herbicides, closed a $10.5 million round of fundraising led by ADM in April. 

Harpe Bioherbicide Solutions offers natural and sustainable weed-management solutions for organic and conventional agriculture. The financing provides the resources to further advance research and development of Harpe’s portfolio of natural, non-selective herbicide formulations, which use a series of active ingredient compounds found in plant extracts, including those from mint plants. 

A.J. Todd, vice president of commercial development for ADM’s mint business, says ADM will provide key inputs to Harpe’s bioherbicide, including mint. Harpe’s portfolio of products, which feature new sites and modes of action, offer wide-spectrum control of broadleaf and grass seeds or weeds.

“Through a series of all-natural herbicide formulations, our products will deliver new opportunities for organic and regenerative agriculture for pre, post and desiccation use patterns,” says Bill Buckner, CEO of Harpe Bioherbicide Solutions.

The financing also supports the next development stages of Harpe herbicide-tolerant row crop systems, which will further expand Harpe’s intellectual property portfolio. The company says a series of tailored Harpe premix formulations will improve control of tough-to-kill weeds, including those resistant to current synthetic chemistries. The goal is to reduce, replace and rotate with synthetic herbicides used in row and specialty crops for commercial and consumer markets.    

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