Venture Kick backs Apolarion with €164K to advance plasma-based seed treatment

Swiss cleantech startup Apolarion, a spin-off from EPFL, has secured €164,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick to further develop its chemical-free seed treatment technology. The company, founded by Jesus Poley and Luke Simons, is creating a modular device that employs cold atmospheric plasma to eradicate harmful microorganisms from seeds without the use of chemicals.

Preserving seeds for healthy crops and reliable harvests is crucial, but conventional seed treatments often involve chemical coatings that can leave residues in the soil and energy-intensive heat-based alternatives that may not always be effective. Apolarion's technology uses air and electricity to generate reactive particles that neutralize pathogens while preserving the seeds' ability to germinate, offering a low-energy, flexible application alternative to traditional chemical and heat-based treatments.

Focused initially on Swiss and European markets, Apolarion aims to provide sustainable seed treatment solutions for crop protection and improved agricultural yields. Luke Simons, CEO and co-founder of Apolarion, highlighted the importance of the Venture Kick program in introducing the company to the Swiss startup network and providing access to world-class training, coaching, and advisors.

He added that the funding will support the company's first field trials and initial customer deployments, covering operational facilities, equipment, and personnel required for its pilot programs, and enabling further development of the technology.