Business · Companies · 9 hrs ago
Molagri raises $5.2 million to develop adaptable pesticides
Toronto startup Molagri raised $5.2 million in seed funding to develop pesticides that can be updated as pests become resistant.
The company says its approach is designed to keep pace with pest resistance by allowing it to adjust pesticide formulations.
Molagri is building its pesticides on a non-infectious insect virus that it can engineer to target specific proteins.
The company was founded by University of Toronto PhD candidates Zaky Hassan and Min Jin, who became interested in advances in AI-driven protein design.
Molagri is focusing on tree nuts and tree fruits, which it says have an acute need for insecticides.
CEO Zaky Hassan said the funding will help the company double its four-person team and conduct field trials.
Molagri has secured lab space in Toronto and is looking to hire scientists as it works toward a product for farmers and consumers.
Molagri has raised $5.2 million USD in seed funding to develop pesticides that can be updated as pests develop resistance.
The Toronto-based startup plans to use the funding to hire more scientists and conduct field trials.
The seed round was led by Convective Capital, with participation from Y Combinator, Superorganism, Robinhood Ventures, Paul Graham and other angel investors.
Molagri says it is developing pesticides for tree nuts and tree fruits, which it says have an acute need for insecticides.
- Who
- Toronto-based AgTech startup Molagri raised the funding.
- What
- It raised $5.2 million USD in seed funding to develop adaptable pesticides.
- When
- The company announced the funding in the week of October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Molagri is based in Toronto, Canada.
- Why
- The funding will support hiring more scientists and conducting field trials as the company develops pesticides designed to stay ahead of pest resistance.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Molagri raised roughly $600,000 USD.
Molagri graduated from Y Combinator.
Molagri announced it had raised $5.2 million USD in seed funding.
- Seed round
- $5.2 million USD ($8.2 million CAD)
- Lead investor
- Convective Capital
- Pre-accelerator funding
- Roughly $600,000 USD
- Team size
- Four; the company plans to double it
- Base
- Toronto, Canada
What people are saying
I’m just thinking of hitting our milestones and building a product that works and makes life better for farmers and consumers,
We’re focused on building, so I feel like we have to maybe step back once in a while and smell the roses, but right now we’re just nonstop.