Ghent-based VIB spin-off Rainbow Crops has successfully closed an oversubscribed seed funding round, raising €9.7 million (approximately $11.25 million). The funding, led by LIFTT with participation from Corteva Catalyst, will advance its AI-guided multiplex genome editing platform for climate-resilient crops.
Rainbow Crops, spun out of VIB in 2025, employs a systems biology approach. This combines AI prediction of gene combinations, multiplex gene editing for creating plant variations, and high-throughput screening to assess performance. This "Trait Foundry" platform addresses complex traits like drought tolerance and yield.
The company's strategy focuses on polygenic traits, which are controlled by multiple interacting genes, unlike simpler monogenic traits. By analyzing extensive genotypic and phenotypic data, including omics data, Rainbow Crops aims to holistically understand gene contributions and interactions for trait optimization.
The collected data is fed back into their AI models, creating a continuous improvement cycle. This closed-loop approach, which recently secured a grant from the Gates Foundation, was a key factor attracting investors to Rainbow Crops' innovative system for crop improvement.