Rhizocore Technologies has raised an impressive £4.5 million in new funding to scale production of its pioneering fungal biotechnology, RhizoPellets™, and accelerate its mission to restore healthy, climate-resilient forests across the UK and beyond.
The investment round was led by The First Thirty, with strategic participation from key partners and supporters, including Grosvenor, The University of Edinburgh’s Old College Capital, Sand River, Scottish Enterprise, Generation-Re, Kibo Ventures, and investor John Thomson. Their backing reflects growing recognition of the urgent need to rebuild the biological foundations that support thriving forest ecosystems.
Rebuilding the Biology Beneath Forests
Rhizocore’s work focuses on restoring the vital fungal networks that help forests grow stronger. The company’s flagship product, RhizoPellets™, introduces locally adapted fungi to young trees, dramatically improving their ability to absorb nutrients and water. The result is healthier saplings, higher survival rates, faster growth, and more resilient woodlands.
Across more than 100 active field sites, RhizoPellets™ are already delivering transformative results:
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97% sapling survival vs. 78% in untreated plots – Forestry and Land Scotland
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23% faster growth in Sitka spruce on former pasture land
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13× growth improvement in birch – Trees for Life
This surge in proven impact has fuelled exceptional demand, with Rhizocore’s production already fully booked for the current planting season.
Scaling to Meet Demand
The newly secured funding will enable Rhizocore Technologies to:
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Expand its Scottish production facility
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Develop new applications in soil and water health
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Advance the world’s largest living fungal library
These advancements will support the forestry sector’s efforts to tackle establishment challenges, boost biodiversity, and enhance carbon outcomes.
Leadership Voices
“Our results show that planting success can be dramatically improved by restoring the belowground networks that make forests thrive,”
said Dr. Toby Parkes, CEO and co-founder of Rhizocore Technologies.
“This investment helps us meet growing demand, unlock new markets, and deliver real ecological and economic returns.”
Antony Yousefian, General Partner at The First Thirty, emphasised the broader impact of the company’s innovation:
“Planetary and human health start with soil. Rhizocore is proving that soil biology can be a driver of both ecological recovery and financial performance.”
A New Era for Fungal Forestry Science
As Rhizocore enters this next phase of growth, the company remains committed to transforming forestry through applied mycology—reconnecting forests with the fungi that help them flourish. With the support of new and existing partners, Rhizocore Technologies is poised to advance land restoration and climate resilience at scale.
