Uviquity Raises $6.6M to Advance Chemical-Free Disinfection for Food, Agriculture, and Beyond

Courtesy: Uviquity

Uviquity, a deep tech startup specializing in solid-state photonic disinfection, has raised $6.6 million in seed funding to accelerate the commercialization of its far-UVC semiconductor technology. The round was led by Emerald Development Managers with participation from leading agri-food investor AgFunder and global filtration expert MANN+HUMMEL.

Headquartered in the United States, Uviquity has developed a proprietary semiconductor light source capable of emitting far-UVC light (200-230 nm), a wavelength proven to inactivate viruses, bacteria, fungi, and mold—while remaining safe for continuous human exposure. The company’s platform, based on a patented photonic integrated circuit, enables disinfection in a compact chip small enough to fit on the tip of a finger.

Uviquity says its solid-state approach eliminates the size, cost, and safety limitations associated with traditional UV-C disinfection, opening the door to widespread adoption across air, water, and surface applications. Among the sectors expected to benefit most are food processing and agriculture, where the technology promises chemical-free pathogen control on production lines, in food packaging, and even in crop protection systems.

“We believe far-UVC light is the future of pathogen control,” said Scott Burroughs, CEO and co-founder of Uviquity. “Our semiconductor platform makes it scalable, practical, and safe—unlocking new possibilities for clean air, safe food, and pure water without relying on chemicals.”

The announcement comes as the food and agriculture industries face growing pressure to reduce contamination risks and cut chemical usage. From Listeria and Salmonella outbreaks in food manufacturing to the overuse of pesticides in farming, operators are searching for new tools to improve food safety and sustainability. Uviquity’s technology aims to meet that need by providing an “always-on” solution that can be built directly into existing infrastructure such as air handling systems, food processing equipment, and water treatment units.

AgFunder’s involvement signals a strong interest in the technology’s potential to address systemic challenges in the food sector. “Uviquity’s solution aligns with the industry’s shift toward cleaner, more resilient food systems,” said Rob Leclerc, Founding Partner at AgFunder. “The ability to reduce contamination and chemical dependency while improving operational efficiency is a win for producers and consumers alike.”

In agriculture, the company sees an opportunity to replace chemical-based pathogen control methods with light-based treatments that can protect crops from harmful microbes without leaving chemical residues. The approach could help growers meet tightening regulatory standards while reducing the environmental impact of conventional crop protection.

The seed round will support Uviquity’s next phase of R&D and product development as it prepares for commercial rollout. The company plans to target applications ranging from air purification in public spaces to pathogen control in food processing plants and farms.

“With its novel semiconductor design, Uviquity has the potential to set a new standard for disinfection across multiple industries,” said Cy Schroeder, Managing Director at Emerald Development Managers. “We’re excited to support their journey toward large-scale deployment.”

Founded in 2022, Uviquity joins a growing group of technology providers looking to transform pathogen control through scalable, chemical-free solutions. As the company moves toward commercialization, all eyes will be on how it delivers on its promise to improve the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.