Sistema.bio, a social enterprise platform to empower family farmers by providing access to biodigester technology, training, and financing, has announced Novastar Ventures as its newest investor. Novastar has joined Sistema.bio’s recent internal financing round of $7.75 million with a $3.5 million investment.

A media statement said this will accelerate Sistema.bio’s expansion into new African markets, new agricultural and energy products and its overall growth.

Joyce Cacho, Board Chairman of Sistema.bio, said, “Novastar Ventures’ investment strengthens Sistema.bio’s mission to empower low-resourced farmers with sustainable solutions that drive economic growth, climate resilience, and regenerative agriculture. Together, we are scaling impactful technologies that benefit both people and the planet.”

Steve Beck, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Novastar said Sistema.bio’s innovative technology and financing empower family farmers to transform farm waste into renewable energy and fertilizer. This unlocks farmers’ economic, health, and productivity benefits, building their resilience to climate change while reducing substantial greenhouse gas emissions.

“Sistema.bio is the first investment from our third fund, the Novastar Ventures Africa People and Planet Fund III (NVIII), which invests in transformative businesses that align the economic interests of Africa’s growing population with planet-positive technologies. We are excited to partner with Sistema.bio at this inflection point, as the company unlocks carbon markets to accelerate growth and serve more farmers with the tools to build resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural systems,” Steve Beck said.

A media statement said Sistema.bio’s innovative biogas systems and digital MRV (digital measurement, reporting, and verification) technology align well with Novastar’s mission to partner with bold entrepreneurs building businesses in Africa that create lasting value for the many, not just the few, for both people and the planet—for good.

Alex Eaton, CEO and Co-founder of Sistema.bio, said: “We have known the Novastar team for some time and are excited to welcome them now to Sistema.bio’s family of investors. Their investment bolsters our ambition to scale our services across Africa, empowering even more farmers with impactful solutions. It also reinforces our commitment to climate action as we work toward achieving a 1 per cent reduction in annual global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.”

Sistema.bio has raised a total financing of $18.5 million in 2024, with a focus on regional geographic growth and adding new products. This funding will also help address the global demand for renewable energy, promote regenerative agricultural solutions, and support carbon emission reduction projects. The statement said that this funding also sets the stage for Sistema.bio’s anticipated Series C round, allowing the company to continue its leadership in biogas technology while advancing its mission to support smallholder farmers worldwide.