Biotechnology company QuberTech has raised £3.4 million through a combination of grant funding and equity investment to further develop its engineering biology platform and expand commercial operations.
The company is focused on producing sustainable natural rubber using engineered dandelions, aiming to reduce dependence on traditional rubber supply chains concentrated in tropical regions.
What The Company Does
QuberTech develops biotechnology systems that enable specially engineered dandelions to produce natural rubber and other bio-based materials in controlled cultivation environments.
The company’s approach is designed as an alternative to conventional rubber production, which relies heavily on rubber trees grown in tropical climates. Unlike rubber trees that can take years to mature, dandelions offer shorter growth cycles and can be cultivated closer to manufacturing and industrial centres through localised production systems.
QuberTech says its platform supports not only natural rubber extraction but also the development of additional plant-based compounds with potential applications across industries including packaging, cosmetics, food, and advanced materials.
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Market Context / Industry Background
Natural rubber remains a critical industrial material used across sectors such as automotive manufacturing, healthcare, defence, and consumer goods. However, global supply chains are highly concentrated geographically, exposing manufacturers to risks linked to climate change, crop disease, geopolitical instability, and environmental regulation.
These pressures are increasing interest in alternative and more resilient production methods, particularly those that can decentralise supply and reduce environmental impact. Advances in synthetic biology and precision breeding are also opening new opportunities for engineered crop systems capable of producing industrial materials more efficiently.
Governments and innovation agencies across Europe are increasingly supporting biotechnology-led agricultural solutions as part of broader efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience and sustainability.
Founder / Investor Commentary
Chief Executive Officer Dr Ofir Meir said the company’s objective is to create locally produced biomaterials that reduce reliance on imported raw materials while improving long-term supply stability.
“At QuberTech, we’re developing a new generation of sustainable biomaterials using engineering biology to create resilient, locally produced alternatives to imported natural rubber,” he said.
Meir added that the new funding will support research and development activities, team expansion, and pilot-scale validation of the company’s production platform as it moves closer toward commercial deployment.
Growth Plans / Use Of Funds
The £3.4 million funding package will be used to accelerate development of QuberTech’s engineering biology platform, expand operational capabilities, and support early-stage commercialisation efforts.
The company also received support through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, reflecting growing institutional interest in biotechnology applications for sustainable agriculture and industrial supply chains.
QuberTech plans to continue validating its technology at pilot scale while preparing for broader industrial deployment of its natural rubber production systems.
About QuberTech
QuberTech is a UK biotechnology company focused on developing sustainable alternatives for natural rubber production. Founded in 2025, the company uses engineering biology and precision breeding technologies to cultivate engineered dandelions capable of producing natural rubber and other bio-based materials. Its mission is to create more resilient, localised, and environmentally sustainable industrial supply chains.
