{
  "id": 3713546,
  "title": "Eindhoven’s VitalFluid raises €17.2 million to protect crops with its “lightning in a box” technology",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/eindhovens-vitalfluid-raises-17-2-million-to-protect-crops-with-its",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-27T10:04:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "EU-Startups",
    "slug": "eu-startups",
    "url": "https://www.eu-startups.com/2026/08/eindhovens-vitalfluid-raises-e17-2-million-to-protect-crops-with-lightning-in-a-box-technology/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Eindhoven-based startup Vitalfluid has secured €17.2 million in funding to expand its plasma technology for sustainable crop protection. The round was co-led by Invest-NL and Alder Tree Investments, with additional investments from various shareholders, including a €2.7 million innovation credit. CEO Erik Hertel stated that the funding will help the company accelerate its commercial rollout, making effective alternatives to chemical crop protection more accessible to growers. Founded in 2014 as a spin-out from Eindhoven University of Technology, Vitalfluid specializes in Plasma Activated Water (PAW) technology, converting water, air, and electricity into plasma-activated water to boost plant health. This \"lightning in a box\" solution eliminates the need for chemical pesticides while providing a safe and effective method of protection against fungal diseases. The company has already deployed its technology on over 100 hectares of commercial strawberry production and plans to expand its reach into the UK, US markets, and other crops such as apples and grapes.",
  "summary": "Vitalfluid, an Eindhoven-based startup helping growers to adopt plasma technology as a natural, residue-free alternative to chemical fungicides, has secured €17.2 million to accelerate sustainable crop protection worldwide. The round was co-led by Invest-NL and Alder Tree Investments, with participation from existing shareholders Horticoop, Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM), Future Food…",
  "key_points": [
    "Eindhoven startup Vitalfluid raises €17.2 million in funding",
    "Funding co-led by Invest-NL and Alder Tree Investments",
    "Technology uses Plasma Activated Water to protect crops"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}