Last updated 2026-07-20
- Acquired by Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A. for $82M, Jul 2010
- Raised $9.6M Series A led by Pamot, 1997
- Raised $3.8M IPO, Dec 2009
Total raised
$17.4M
Stage
Acquired
Founded
1993
Headcount
71
HQ
Rehovot, Israel
Sector
Agriculture & Food Technologies
About
FuturaGene is a biotechnology company focused on plant genetic research and development for global forestry, bioenergy, and biofuel markets. They develop sustainable, ecologically-sound approaches to meet the increasing demands for fiber and alternatives to fossil fuel-based products, such as plastics and energy crops. The company's technologies are applicable to the forestry, biofuels, biochemical, and biomaterial sectors, with a key crop being subtropical eucalyptus. FuturaGene has fully integrated operations from discovery through regulatory to commercialization, coupled with germplasm access and market channels. FuturaGene Israel serves as FuturaGene's corporate headquarters and innovation hub in Rehovot, focusing on partnerships with the Suzano Group and other global partnerships, as well as providing technology prototyping and training.
Funding history · 6 rounds · $17.4M total
2009-12
IPO
$3.8M
2009-05
IPO
$1.9M
2004
Grant
$80K
★ U.S. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I
2001
B Round
Undisclosed
★ Suzano Papel e Celulose
1997
A Round
$9.6M
★ Pamot★ Dow Chemical★ Comsor Investment★ Biomedical Investments★ Challenge Fund (Etgar)★ Inventech Industrial Ventures
1995
Seed
$2.0M
★ Calyx Fund★ company founders★ Polaris I Fund (Dovrat Shrem)
Headcount over time
From 6 (2018-03) to 67 (2026-03) · +61 (+1017%) · 19 points · source: Finder history + radar grounding
Q&A
- What is FuturaGene's primary business focus?
- FuturaGene is an agricultural biotechnology company that researches and delivers agronomic traits to improve and protect yields for forestry, biofuels, biopower, and agriculture. Their strategic focus is renewable woody biomass.
- When was FuturaGene founded?
- FuturaGene was founded in December 1993.
- What is FuturaGene's current status?
- FuturaGene was acquired by Suzano Pulp and Paper in July 2010.
- Where is FuturaGene's headquarters located?
- FuturaGene's headquarters is located in Rehovot, Center District, Israel.
- How many employees does FuturaGene have?
- FuturaGene has 51-200 employees.
- What are the key crops FuturaGene focuses on for renewable woody biomass?
- FuturaGene's leading crops for renewable woody biomass are subtropical eucalyptus for the plantation-based pulp and paper industry and short-rotation energy poplar and eucalyptus for biopower and biofuel.
- Does FuturaGene have regulatory approval for any of its genetically modified varieties?
- Yes, FuturaGene has obtained regulatory approval to commercially deploy a yield-enhanced, genetically modified eucalyptus variety.
- What is FuturaGene exploring in China?
- In China, FuturaGene is exploring the potential of woody desert species, such as yellow horn (Xanthoceras sorbifolia), to couple ecosystem services with economic offtake, aiming to be a major provider of elite seedlings and an integrated oil producer.
Sectors & technology
Primary sector
Agriculture & Food Technologies
Sub-sectors
Climate TechFood & Land UseSustainable FarmingAgriculture & Food TechnologiesAg TechFarm Equipment & Treatment
Technologies
BiologicalsGenes
Target customers
Industrial ManufacturingHybrid IndustriesPulp & PaperAgriculture & FoodCropsTreesEnergy, Utilities & Waste ManagementNew Fuels
Business model
B2B
Highlights
1 Patents
Tags
plant-genomicscropsbiofuelforestrybreedingseedsclimate-techfarmersagricultureenterprisesagtechbiotechnologygeneticsbiomaterialsenvironmental-technologiessustainable-farming
Full data — links, identifiers, deals & radar signals (jobs, patents, research, more)
External links
| Website | futuragene.com |
|---|---|
| linkedin.com/company/1698388 | |
| YouTube | youtube.com/channel/UCFWfBHpUza_E4e9xieYl97A |
Identifiers & details
| Legal name | FUTURAGENE ISRAEL LTD |
|---|---|
| Former names | CBD Technologies |
| Founded | 1993-12 |
| Employees (exact) | 71 |
| Offices | Brazil; China |
| Status reason | Acquired by Suzano Pulp and Paper on Jul, 2010 |
Acquisitions & public offerings
Acquired by Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A. 2010-07 $82.0M
Radar intelligence
Patents
| EPO | 17 |
|---|
Publications (Crossref)
| Works | 10 |
|---|
Web history (Wayback)
| Domain | futuragene.com |
|---|
Certificate / subdomain footprint
| Subdomains | 9 |
|---|
Israeli Companies Registrar (רשם החברות / ICA)
| Registrar # (ח.פ.) | 511907412 |
|---|---|
| Status | פעילה |
| Corp type | ישראלית חברה פרטית |
| Incorporated | 1993-12-30 |
| Purpose | לעסוק בסוגי עיסוק שפורטו בתקנון |
| Liability | מוגבלת |
| In violation (unfiled) | no |
| Last annual report | 2025 |
| Active charges / liens | 0 |
| Registry events | 7 — charge (5), people (2) |
| Registered address | פקריס 2 רחובות |
Recent registry events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2026-01-26 | רישום שעבוד |
| 2026-05-19 | סילוק שעבוד |
| 2026-02-19 | סילוק שעבוד |
| 2026-01-06 | עדכון דירקטורים-הוספת דירקטור |
| 2026-01-06 | עדכון דירקטורים-הסרת דירקטור |
| 2026-03-04 | סילוק שעבוד |
| 2026-03-04 | סילוק שעבוד |