Qarbotech, a Malaysian startup that enhances photosynthesis via advanced carbon quantum dots material, has raised US$1.5 million in funding from 500 Global, Better Bite Ventures, ID Capital, EQT Foundation, and Epic Angels Limited.
The seed extension round will enable Qarbotech to scale its operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, where demand for advanced agritech solutions is surging.
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“This investment will allow us to ramp up production and bring our patented solutions to more farmers across the region, empowering them to produce more with less environmental impact,” said Amirul Merican, COO of Qarbotech.
As part of its expansion, Qarbotech is opening its first manufacturing facility in Puchong, Malaysia. The facility can produce 100,000 litres of QarboGrow monthly.
Qarbotech is a sustainability and green-tech company. Its flagship product, QarboGrow, is a photosynthesis enhancer that helps farmers increase crop yields by up to 60 per cent while reducing their environmental footprint. Thus, the firm promotes sustainable agriculture solutions that contribute to carbon sequestration.
“Our product QarboGrow is a breakthrough in plant science, using organic, biocompatible carbon quantum dots to dramatically boost light absorption and increase crop yields by up to 60 per cent. This enhancement addresses food security challenges and optimises fertiliser use, reducing the need for excessive fertilisation that could lead to soil degradation and pollution,” Chor Chee Hoe, CEO of Qarbotech, said.
In Indonesia, Qarbotech’s pilot project with PT Iceh Agro Indonesia covering 400 hectares of rice fields demonstrated an increase of up to 1 tonne per hectare in rice yields and a substantial boost to farmer incomes.
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The firm’s carbon quantum dot technology also addresses carbon sequestration by enabling plants to absorb more carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Can you imagine the same farmer with the same land, labor and workflow, being able to produce up to 60 per cent more food? Qarbotech’s photosynthesis multiplier does exactly that. We believe their technology will be mission-critical to regions vulnerable to climate change,” shared Khailee Ng, Managing Partner, 500 Global.
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