Rize Secures $31M Series B to Expand Low-Emission Rice Network in Vietnam and Indonesia

Singapore agritech company Rize has secured a $31 million Series B round to expand its low-emission rice operations in Vietnam and Indonesia, with a goal of reaching 150,000 smallholder farmers and 300,000 hectares by 2030. The funding includes $20 million in equity led by BNP Paribas Asset Management Alts, The Rockefeller Foundation, and existing investors like Temasek and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, as well as $11 million in debt from UOB, BIDV, and Temasek Foundation. This brings Rize's total funding to $47 million, allowing them to create a more sustainable food system for farmers.

Rize focuses on reducing methane emissions from rice cultivation through irrigation techniques like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), which can cut methane by up to 50% and increase farmer income by 30% without compromising yield. The company also helps farmers meet export standards and traceability requirements, enabling them to sell low-emission rice to markets in Europe, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. The new capital will be used for export expansion, AI tools, carbon certification, and entry into additional markets, with India as a potential target for future growth. CEO Dhruv Sawhney sees this funding round as validation of Rize's model and a step towards building a more resilient and sustainable food system for smallholder farmers.