Australia’s Number 8 Bio has secured fresh capital to scale a feed additive designed to cut methane emissions from cattle while boosting productivity. The Sydney startup raised $7.1 million in a Series A round led by New Zealand’s Icehouse Ventures, with participation from existing investor Main Sequence and new backer One Innovators from Japan. The round follows a $4.5 million seed in September 2024, led by CSIRO-backed Main Sequence, supported by Breakthrough Victoria and The March Group.
Company and Mission
Founded in 2022 by Dr. Tom Williams and Dr. Alex Carpenter, Number 8 Bio develops livestock feed solutions that target enteric fermentation, the microbial process behind ruminant burps. The company’s goal is to provide farmers with a cost-effective route to lower emissions that fits seamlessly into day-to-day operations. It aligns the commercial incentive of improved animal performance with measurable and verifiable climate outcomes.
Technology and Approach
Number 8 Bio’s platform models the rumen to iterate rapidly from lab to animal trials in weeks rather than years. Its proprietary active ingredient is an organic small molecule manufactured in Australia using green chemistry, which aims to keep costs predictable and supply chains local. Early trials reported up to 90 percent methane reduction alongside improved rumen fermentation, indicating potential productivity gains.
Funding Use and Commercial Path
Proceeds from the Series A will finance large-scale animal trials to validate performance across diverse diets and production systems. The company will also pursue regulatory approvals to expand into New Zealand, Europe, and the United States, complementing initial efforts in Australia. Commercial rollout plans include both a feed additive and a slow-release capsule for cattle that can last up to six months, targeting market launch in 2026.
Market Context and Competitive Landscape
Livestock methane is a primary driver of agricultural emissions, accounting for about 70 percent of agricultural greenhouse gases in New South Wales and roughly 10 percent of Australia’s total reportable emissions. That footprint has spurred multiple approaches, including seaweed-based supplements such as those pursued by Rumin8, FutureFeed, and Sea Forest. While seaweed solutions have raised significant funding and built production facilities, scaling at a cost that delivers a clear return on investment to farmers remains a persistent challenge.
Strategic Positioning and International Links
Backers see regional and export synergies, with Japan noted as Australia’s second-largest beef market and a growing focus on decarbonized supply chains. Number 8 Bio plans to layer a carbon-insetting program that enables farmers and downstream buyers to claim verified emissions reductions from on-farm deployment. That structure could help integrate the product into procurement standards and sustainability reporting frameworks across beef and dairy supply networks.
Execution Plan and Timelines
The next 12 to 18 months will focus on validating efficacy at scale, optimizing delivery formats, and completing regulatory dossiers. Manufacturing in Australia is intended to support consistent quality control while preparing for eventual international tech transfer or co-manufacturing. Partnerships with producers, processors, and retailers will be key to field deployment, data collection, and the verification workflows needed for insetting claims.
Number 8 Bio enters its next phase with capital to prove performance, secure approvals, and ready a 2026 commercial launch. If trial results and cost curves hold, the company could offer farmers a practical path to reduce methane without compromising productivity. The strategy combines science, manufacturing, and market incentives to turn emissions reduction from a compliance burden into an operational advantage.