EdenShield Raises $1 Million for Nontoxic Pesticides

Date:01-08-2015

Israel’s EdenShield, a portfolio company of The Trendlines Group's Trendlines Agtech, recently completed an investment round of just over $1 million, led by OurCrowd. The Company, now in commercial stage, will use the funds to expand operations, establish a distribution network, and reinforce the Company's team.

EdenShield's nontoxic technology for insect control is based on extracts of medicinal plants endemic to Israel's semi-desert. Leveraging the beneficial characteristics of desert plants, the product masks the odor of the crop and lowers insect attraction, causing the insects to simply pursue feeding options elsewhere.

Pests cause damage of more than $2 billion annually, by direct damage to crops or through the transmission of devastating viruses. Conventional chemical pesticides are ineffective, as insects quickly develop resistance, even in a single growing season. The EdenShield material sustains its efficacy throughout the entire growing season of the crop, and insects do not develop resistance to it. A natural material, the EdenShield product can be used close to harvest, without health risks associated with conventional pesticides.

The Company's first product (NET) is applied to greenhouse screens. Its second product (DIRECT) is applied directly to greenhouses flowers and medical cannabis. Tests demonstrated that EdenShield's product lowers greenhouse penetration of thrips, whiteflies, red spider mites, and tuta absoluta by over 90%.

The funds will be used to expand operations, establish a distribution network, and reinforce the Company's team.