Cambridge-based Antler Bio, an AgriTech company transforming dairy farming with gene expression technology, has announced a €3.6 million investment to scale its EpiHerd system.
The investment round is led by The First Thirty Ventures, a VC firm that invests in early-stage agricultural technologies delivering health outcomes. It also included Endgame Capital and regenerative agriculture angel syndicate Generation-RE, bringing Antler Bio’s total raised to €7.2 million including grants.
Maria Jensen, CEO & Co-Founder of Antler Bio, said: “Bringing a technology like EpiHerd to an industry that has never seen anything quite like it is no small task, but we’re incredibly excited about the future. This investment will enable us to scale EpiHerd to thousands of farms across Europe, grow our team, and continue refining the technology to meet the evolving needs of farmers, benefiting their profits but, importantly, the wellbeing of their animals.”
Founded in 2020 by CEO Maria Jensen and CSO Nathalie Conte, Antler Bio is an AgriTech company transforming dairy farming with its solution; EpiHerd. Antler Bio uses gene expression data to help farmers identify and address hidden factors limiting their herd’s capabilities.
Jensen is a Finnish entrepreneur who sold her last company (analysing genetics in elite racehorses) to one of Sweden’s top breeders. While Conte, has 25+ years in cancer genetics and bioinformatics, transferring concepts from the human field to animals.
With the Founders bringing expertise in gene expression and data analytics from human and animal health sectors, Antler Bio is committed to advancing livestock farming through gene expression technology.
EpiHerd reportedly interprets how cows’ genes respond to environmental stress, nutrition, and health challenges, enabling farmers to make informed decisions that increase milk yield, improve animal welfare, and enhance fertility, resilience, and longevity.
Operating across key European markets including the UK, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. Antler Bio partners with over 100 farms, delivering notable results, including milk yield increases of up to 22%, a 6% rise in milk fat, and a 5% increase in milk protein.
The company outlines that these improvements deliver not only higher volumes but also better quality, more nutritious milk, helping farmers earn better prices while promoting healthier cows. This holistic approach to dairy farming drives profitability alongside enhanced fertility, resilience, longevity, and overall herd wellbeing, with a reported average return on investment to the farmer of more than 7:1.
Naeem Lakhani, Managing Partner at The First Thirty, added: “At The First Thirty, our AgriHealth Investment Strategy backs world-class companies creating value where agriculture meets human health. Antler Bio is a great example, combining biology and technology to help reshape the global food system. Their work supports animal welfare, enhances farm efficiency, and leads to improved nutrition for consumers. As a company at the forefront of this change, we’re proud to support their journey.”
Between April 2023 and April 2024, over 440 dairy farms in the UK exited the industry, squeezed by low milk prices, rising input costs, and regulatory pressures. In the US, upcoming changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order will reward milk quality over quantity, while EU milk production is forecast to drop to 149.4 million metric tons in 2025. Farmers worldwide are under pressure to do more with less.
Antler Bio is stepping in with a timely solution, aiming to help farmers unlock new value from existing herds by identifying and addressing hidden factors limiting performance, as well as improving overall herd wellbeing.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/06/british-antler-bio-raises-e3-6-million-to-help-farmers-increase-milk-yield/
