The food industry has seen more than its fair share of changing trends in recent years. From a consumer perspective, the developed world are becoming more conscious of what they eat, where it has come from and whether it fits one of many ambiguous but socially approved categories such as, organic, sustainable or fair trade. Celebrity chefs and increased travel have introduced us to ever more exotic ingredients, and health has become a major consumer driver, with a pseudo science and aggressive marketing prevalent in the sector.

But along side the changing consumer preferences, a more serious trend has been creeping to the top of political agendas globally - food prices. This complex issue relates to a number of factors, though economists will argue over the relative importance of each. Poor harvest yields due to weather, disease and pest control, changing land use, increasing fuel costs for logistics and production, and the ever increasing appetites of developing nations such as India and China are all among the major forces.

A view is emerging that this is not just a temporary blip, but a trend that will continue for the foreseeable future. With turbulence in a sector of such fundamental importance, there are many companies with innovations whose aim it is to build serious businesses from mitigating these various problems.

One area receiving particular attention is methods of pest control, which can massively increase yields, with some experts predicting increasing pest populations becoming an ever more prevalent issue if global temperatures continue to rise. Some of the companies involved in this particular sector are outlined below.

Companies developing pest control technology

Oxford based Oxitec, whose total disclosed funding is just over €12m, recently received a WHO grant, indirectly funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as part of the Global Health Initiative. The company developed and patented a novel technology platform based on advances in molecular biology and genetics, which promises a step change in the cost-effectiveness of the Sterile Insect Technique. This technique relies on the mass rearing, sterilisation and release of large numbers of insects. Mating of released sterile males with native females reduces their reproductive potential and leads to control of the insect pest population throughout the release area. One of the major applications is to protect crops from attack, with one example product being designed to control the Mediterranean fruit fly, a world-wide pest of citrus.

Exosect is taking a different approach to pest control, aiming to produce a system where the insects carry insecticide back to their nests or pass it amongst themselves in the course of their social and reproductive interactions. This means insecticide can be more effectively targeted, reducing dose and residues. One of the tools behind this approach is a natural plant wax extract with binding properties as a consequence of an electrostatic charge. The Winchester based company received its third and largest round of venture funding of €3.3m earlier this year.

Terraseed has taken a different approach, with the use of physical barrier systems replacing agrochemicals for weed, insect and disease control. This approach is particularly suited to organic farming methods where the use of insecticide or any GM techniques is prohibited. The barrier is a biodegradable, nutrient-retaining polymer that also acts as mulch which retains moisture and reduces the need for irrigation, particularly in arid conditions where higher yields can be obtained with less water.

These companies just touch the surface of developments and innovations affecting one part of food production. However, given the huge concerns surrounding food prices, it is likely this will become a sector which continues to attract increasing levels of attention in the future.

Sulfurcell Solartechnik, the Germany-based developer of thin-film solar modules, has raised €85m from Intel Capital, AIG Capital Partners, BankInvest Group, Climate Change Capital, DEMETER Partners, Vattenfall Europe Venture, Zouk Ventures, Conetwork, BEU Berliner Energie Umweltfonds, Ventegis Capital, Masdar Clean Tech Investments, IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft, M+W Zander Facility Engineering, Hahn-Meitner-Institut Berlin and undisclosed individual investors. Sulfurcell Solartechnik has developed PV solar modules that have a high power output, retaining optimal performance at elevated temperatures or under partial shading. The funding will be used to expand the company's manufacturing operations with the construction of a new plant in Berlin for the production of CIS/CIGSe based thin-film solar modules. The funding will also be used to fund Surfurcell Solartechnik's long-term oriented development projects. EquityGate acted as sole advisor to Sulfurcell Solartechnik in the funding round.

Bestofmedia, the France-based online media publishing companies for technology, has raised £17.8m (€22.4m) in series A funding from Index Ventures. Bestofmedia claims to be the third largest online technology publisher, operating Buycentral.com, Jeuvideopc.com and the Tom's Hardware Guide group sites, which it acquired in April 2007. The funding will be used to grow the company and to enable the company to remain independent.

Milestone Systems, the Denmark-based developer of open platform IP network-based video surveillance management software, has raised $27m (€17m) in series A funding from Index Ventures. Milestone Systems has developed a open platform for IP video management that is available in 15 languages and supports over 400 models of network cameras. The funding will be used to open additional locations in order to support numerous partnerships, to fund development of the company's technology platform and spearhead new business initiatives.

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Operax, the Sweden-based provider of software for dynamic resource and admission control in IP-based telecommunications, has been acquired by NetSocket for an undisclosed amount. Operax has developed a suite of products that are aimed at operators of multi-vendor, multi-service commercial, civil and military networks. The acquisition will enable NetSocket to strengthen its European presence and provides the company with a European operations base. All existing and future technology developed by Operax will be branded in accordance with NetSocket product and service naming conventions.

Zoomix Data Mastering, the Israel-based developer of master data quality management software, has been acquired by Microsoft for an undisclosed amount. Zoomix Data Mastering has developed a proprietary technology that enables enterprises to create, maintain, and manage a unified and standardised master data set. The acquisition will allow Microsoft to provide its customers with a manageable and scalable data quality solution, enhancing Microsoft's vision of making SQL Server a complete data platform for all data management needs and to expand its R&D operations in Israel.

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Wunderloop, the Luxembourg-based provider of integrated targeting technologies and services, has appointed Torsten Ahlers as chief executive. Prior to joining the company, Mr Ahlers held the position of managing director at AOL Germany, a position he held since 2004. Before that, Mr Ahlers held various positions at Tomorrow Focus, Gruner + Jahr and Axel Springer Verlag.

Anevia, the France-based provider of video over IP solutions for IP Television, video on demand and nPVR (Network Personal Video Recorder), has appointed Pierre Yves Le Berre as marketing and business development director. Prior to joining the company, Mr Le Berre served as vice president of Netcentrex, a position he held for five years. As vice president of Netcentrex, Mr Le Berre was responsible for strategy and business development. The company was acquired by Comverse in 2006. Before that, Mr Le Berre held senior management positions at Nortel Networks and Matra Communication, specialising in marketing and business development.

XConnect, the UK-based provider of 'Plug and Peer' VoIP federation-based interconnection services, has appointed Tania Platt as vice president, global sales. Prior to joining the company, Ms Platt held the position of senior vice president for Europe at IDT. Before that, Ms Platt spent 12 years at Cable & Wireless, where she held a variety of positions including sales director, international wholesale division.

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Activ4Life Healthcare Technologies, the UK-based healthcare technology company focused on patient activity monitoring and predictive modelling, has revealed to Library House that the company will seek two additional funding rounds in 2008 and 2009. Mr David Heaton, Activ4Life Healthcare Technologies' sales director, informed Library House that the company intends to raise £100K (€125K) in Autumn 2008, and that this investment would be used for product development and clinical trails. Mr Heaton went on to state that the company intends to seek its second additional round of funding in January 2009, and intends to raise an additional £2m (€2.5m).

Escaux, the Belgium-based provider of IP voice communication solutions for enterprise, has informed Library House that the company expects to begin fundraising in Q4 2008/Q1 2009. Mr Christophe Hendrix, Escaux's chief executive, revealed to Library House that the company intends to seek between €5m and €10m. Mr Hendrix went on to state that the funding would be used for international expansion.

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