Kubota has made an additional investment in UV Boosting through its European arm, Kubota Holdings Europe, as it seeks to deepen collaboration with the French agtech company.
The move builds on an initial investment in 2024 and follows a period of joint field trials and early commercial rollout. Kubota has already begun full-scale sales of UV Boosting’s products through its European distribution network this year, signalling a shift from validation to market expansion.
The latest funding is aimed at accelerating adoption of the startup’s UV-C technology and strengthening its route to market across the region.
UV light as an alternative to pesticides
UV Boosting has developed “UV flash” technology that exposes crops to short-wavelength ultraviolet light, stimulating natural plant defence mechanisms.
The process triggers the production of salicylic acid and other hormones that enhance resistance to disease, offering farmers a non-chemical alternative to conventional crop protection.
The technology can be applied across multiple crop types, including vineyards, fruit orchards and vegetables, with particular traction in wine grape production.
Field trials conducted by independent organisations have shown promising results, including:
- 40% reduction in disease incidence
- 13% increase in vineyard yields
Beyond disease control, the approach is also positioned as a tool to improve resilience against environmental stresses such as drought and frost.
Aligning with Europe’s sustainability push
The investment comes as European agriculture faces increasing pressure to reduce chemical inputs and meet sustainability targets.
Kubota said the partnership aligns with its broader push into smart farming and environmentally focused solutions tailored to modern farm needs.
“By utilising ultraviolet light to stimulate plants and support growth, it offers an innovative approach to crop production,” said Hisakazu Kitanobu, vice-president at Kubota Holdings Europe. “We believe the technology is easy to use and provides value for both dealers and end users.”
Scaling through distribution and industrial backing
For UV Boosting, the partnership provides access to Kubota’s industrial capabilities and extensive dealer network across Europe – critical levers for scaling hardware-based agtech.
“This marks an exciting next chapter in our strategic partnership with Kubota,” said CEO Baptiste Rouesné. “By leveraging Kubota’s expertise and distribution network, we are confident we can consolidate our market presence.”
Founded in 2017, UV Boosting develops tractor-mounted UV-C implements under its Helios range, designed primarily for vineyards but increasingly expanding into other crops.
A broader shift toward deep tech crop protection
Kubota’s increased commitment reflects a wider shift in agtech investment towards deep tech solutions that reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
Technologies such as UV treatment, robotics and biologicals are gaining traction as farmers and regulators look for scalable alternatives to pesticides.
By backing UV Boosting, Kubota is positioning itself at the intersection of machinery, plant science and climate-driven innovation – an area expected to play a growing role in European agriculture’s transition to more sustainable production systems.
