Plantix, Germany, announced a €6.6 million Series A led by RTP Global, Russia, with participation from Atlantic Labs, Berlin; Index Ventures, San Francisco; and Piton Capital, London.

The funding will be used to improve Plantix’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solution, which provides a digital method for the automated detection of plant diseases. With the app, users can take photos of their diseased crop, which are then processed by Plantix’s AI-driven image recognition software. Users are then shown the most probable disease, nutrient deficiencies or relevant pests.

Plantix is said to offer the world's largest independent database for the detection of plant disease, with users receiving advice on the treatment of the affected plant as well as ecological suggestions. The app also serves as a global community of scientists, farmers and plant experts, where users can exchange information on crop issues in real-time. The platform offers instant access to cutting-edge preventative measures, disease and weather alerts and reminders for pesticide application.

“Food production is one of mankind’s most pressing issues, and we are committed to improving farming techniques,” says Simone Strey, co-founder and CEO of Plantix. “We have built the world's largest database of plant damage to tackle this problem, and will be using this fresh capital injection to grow it further. In developing and emerging countries in particular, our digital solution can drastically reduce crop losses, minimize pesticide use and increase overall yield. We are delighted to have attracted a group of investors who are as convinced of our product and vision as we are. The funding will allow us to further optimize our app, make new strategic hires and expand our global community of experts."

"With 15 million images on file, Plantix already has the world’s largest plant database,” says Galina Chifina, partner at RTP Global. “An additional 50,000 images are being uploaded every day, so it’s fair to say we see huge potential in Plantix. This new round of funding is a testament to the dedication of Simone and her team as well as the strength of the Plantix platform. The app can and will make a major contribution toward building a more sustainable and intelligent global agriculture system by using digital solutions to solve the problems associated with an incredibly fractured ecosystem. We’re excited to offer our expertise and mentorship as Plantix continues to grow its presence across APAC."