SenseUp

SenseUP operates at the intersection of biotechnology and sustainable agriculture, developing microbial production strains for eco-friendly pesticides.

The company originated in 2015 as a spin-off from the Institute for Biotechnology at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) in Germany. It was founded by a team of scientists, including Gunter Festel, Thomas Schwarz, and Stephan Binder, with Dr. Georg Schaumann serving as CEO. Dr. Schaumann's journey began with his PhD at Forschungszentrum Jülich, where he developed single-cell biosensors for microbial strain development, a technology foundational to SenseUP. He initiated SenseUP as a project in 2015 and the company began its commercial activities in mid-2017. The firm has garnered several innovation awards and recently relocated to BioCampus Cologne.

SenseUP's core business revolves around its patented natural evolution technology and a precision fermentation platform based on *Corynebacterium glutamicum*. This microorganism, long utilized in food and feed production, is employed to create encapsulated double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) biopesticides. These products are designed to be highly selective, targeting specific pests like the Fall Armyworm and pathogens such as Botrytis, without harming other organisms. The dsRNA is delivered in inactivated, non-GMO bacterial cells, making it a stable and robust solution compatible with existing farming infrastructure. This approach addresses significant annual crop losses, which range from 17-30%, by offering an alternative to chemical pesticides that can lead to pest resistance and soil contamination. The company's business model involves strategic collaborations with partners in the feed, food, and pharmaceutical industries to bring its products to market. Revenue is generated through these partnerships and the sale of its biopesticide solutions. In May 2025, SenseUP secured €2.4 million in a seed funding round led by Capnamic, with participation from HBG Ventures, CHECK24 Impact, and Rockstart, to advance its product portfolio and expand its team.

Keywords: biopesticides, dsRNA, Corynebacterium, precision fermentation, crop protection, agricultural biotechnology, sustainable agriculture, microbial strain development, natural evolution technology, food security