Mekong Enterprise Fund IV invested US$5 million in HUSK to Drive Regenerative Agriculture in Southeast Asia

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (1 July 2024) – Mekong Enterprise Fund IV (MEF IV) announces to have invested US$5 million in HUSK, a pioneering biochar and biofertilizer company committed to regenerative agriculture practices in Southeast Asia. This investment exemplifies MEF IV’s dedication to generating both financial returns and meaningful social and environmental impact across the region.

Founded in 2017 by two female entrepreneurs Heloise Buckland and Carol Rius, and joined by Richard Kendall in 2019, HUSK has rapidly emerged as a leader in the agricultural sector. Leveraging innovative technology, HUSK produces biochar, carbon-based fertilizers and crop protection products designed to address the challenges faced by farmers, including the yield gap, pests, diseases and poor soil and nutrient management, all exacerbated by climate change.

Heloise Buckland, CEO and co-founder at HUSK, states,

“Our mission is to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture and to achieve this we have developed a unique set of technologies and products that build soil, sink carbon and build climate resilience. Farmers choose our products as they are better value for money than conventional inputs and support long term soil health, crop protection and improved water and nutrient efficiency. The commitment of Mekong Capital to support our vision could not have come at a more critical time – where the need for viable, scalable, and impactful solutions to runaway soil degradation is at its most urgent.

Today’s announcement is both transformative to the continuing rapid development of HUSK as a leading producer of organic fertilisers – and also to the uptake of biochar as a key foundation to the acceleration of regenerative agricultural practices across South East Asia. The HUSK team is looking forward to working together with Mekong on the next exciting stage of our journey.”

Ellen Van, Principal at Mekong Capital and Deal Leader for the investment in HUSK, remarked,

“We are honoured to partner with HUSK in bringing together knowledge and innovation to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture. At Mekong Capital, we believe in investing in companies that not only deliver financial returns but also create meaningful social and environmental impact. We stand behind HUSK’s mission, and we look forward to supporting its growth in the years to come and showcasing the positive correlation between impact and returns.”