Bildnachweis: SenseUp, BioCampus Cologne, VC Magazin, Pixabay.
Increasing resistance among pests and mounting regulatory requirements are placing growing pressure on agriculture. SenseUP Biotechnology offers an innovative, effective, and, above all, affordable solution.
The biotechnology start-up SenseUP is developing not only environmentally friendly but also particularly powerful biopesticides for crop protection. With deep expertise and a patented natural evolution technology, SenseUP has created a Corynebacterium-based fermentation platform for the cost-effective and scalable production of encapsulated dsRNA. This active substance protects crops against pests such as the Colorado potato beetle and grey mould, significantly enhancing sustainability in the agricultural sector. ‘Conventional substances are becoming increasingly ineffective, and the world is desperately seeking alternatives – we see a massive demand for new biological solutions,’ emphasises Dr Georg Schaumann, founder and CEO of SenseUP.
Cost-effective and stable production
The start-up is on a mission to transform global crop protection and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable food system. The unique selling point of its development lies in the use of double-stranded RNA, which can be produced and stabilised in-house at very low cost. This process eliminates the need for expensive and complex cooling systems. ‘For this reason, our product will be priced significantly lower than conventional alternatives,’ says Schaumann. ‘Our goal for the coming years is to establish partnerships with several global players to gain access to important distribution channels for our crop protection products.’ SenseUP has already received multiple awards for its innovative work, including the Innovation Award from the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations, MIT Technology Review, and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Optimal infrastructure
SenseUP emerged from the Institute of Biotechnology at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ). ‘However, we had to vacate those premises at short notice after many successful years,’ Schaumann explains. ‘At BioCampus Cologne (BCC), fully equipped laboratory spaces were available immediately.’ Together with the affiliated Rechtsrheinisches Technologie- und Gründerzentrum Köln (RTZ), BioCampus forms a community of more than 70 knowledge-based companies that actively promote exchange among themselves and with external partners. A modern infrastructure with offices, workshops, laboratories, and event spaces provides the vibrant atmosphere required. ‘We call it community management,’ stresses André van Hall, Managing Director of BioCampus Cologne and the RTZ. ‘This means strong networking within the community and beyond the city of Cologne – including events, networking opportunities, knowledge exchange, and assistance with finding investors. In this way, we bring different stakeholders together and make business models visible through PR and social media.’
Solid funding
In April 2025, SenseUP successfully closed a funding round of EUR 2.4 million. The round was led by the lead investor Capnamic, with further participation from Check24 Impact GmbH, HBG Ventures, and Rockstart. The market for insecticides and fungicides is expected to reach USD 44 billion by 2030. This indicates significant potential for new technologies that offer safer and more sustainable solutions, as the excessive use of chemical pesticides is simultaneously leading to pest resistance, loss of biodiversity, and soil contamination. SenseUP’s biopesticide provides an effective countermeasure to these challenges.
