We’re delighted to share that SugaROx, a campus company based at Rothamsted, has been named one of the UK’s Top Startups to Watch in 2026 by Startup Stash.

The recognition highlights some of the UK’s most promising and innovative early-stage businesses, with SugaROx taking the number one position on the list.

Supporting the future of sustainable agriculture

Founded in 2021, SugaROx is a spin-out from Rothamsted Research and the University of Oxford, developing precision crop biostimulants designed to improve crop performance.

Its technology is based on trehalose-6-phosphate, a signalling molecule involved in how plants allocate carbon. SugaROx has developed a proprietary formulation designed to enable this technology to be applied using conventional farm spraying equipment. Trials have indicated potential yield improvements in wheat following a single application, alongside promising early results in drought-stressed sorghum.

Investment supporting international growth

The company is continuing to build momentum following a £2.5 million investment from The Mosaic Company as part of its ongoing Series A funding round.

According to Startup Stash, the investment will support SugaROx in expanding its international field trials and generating the data required for regulatory approval as the company works towards future commercial launches across the UK, Europe and North America.

SugaROx’s recognition is another example of the innovative companies based on the Rothamsted campus, where pioneering science and entrepreneurship come together to help develop solutions for the future of agriculture.

Congratulations to the SugaROx team on this fantastic recognition.