AgFunderNews rounds up the most important fundings, mergers, acquisitions, closures, and industry buzz in agtech and foo…

2 More than 1,000 companies applied to the Cascador Africa’s 2026 ScaleUp cohort but only ten made it. Two of them solve…

Pinterest has identified that men are searching for more forms of personal care than the demographic has previously delved into. Men are searching for new ways to explore cosmetics and fragrances, tying their use to self-care, individuality, and wellness. 

Zoom in: The EIB is providing €30 million in venture debt to Ethris under the European Commission’s HERA Invest program. The financing is intended primarily to move ETH47 into the next stage of clinical development, with Phase IIb studies planned in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Lubrizol has launched Glucamate Evolve, a biodegradable thickener for sulfate-free surfactant systems. The release aligns with consumers prioritizing products that balance clean beauty principles, heightened performance, and elevated sensory experiences. 

Why it matters: Northway told European Biotechnology that it is already accepting projects (with six mammalian cell therapy lines and four microbial vaccine production lines currently undergoing qualification), and that the timing lets customers start process development now and move into GMP once the agency signs off. The project is helping usher in an entirely different pharmaceutical model in the Baltics and Europe.

Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee (SCC) on Science and Technology has approved the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill of 2026. The proposed law aims to regulate the country’s cosmetics industry as concerns about illegal beauty products and their health implications rise. 

L’Oréal and South Korean cosmetics manufacturer Cosmax have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), partnering to develop novel K-beauty-inspired cosmetics, ingredients, and sensorial formulations for global audiences. 

Givaudan has inaugurated a fragrance development hub in Casablanca, Morocco, to bolster its Fragrance & Beauty presence in the South Asia, Middle East, and Africa (SAMEA) region. The fragrances and active beauty ingredients company is positioning the new hub at the core of its Maghreb and West Africa strategy.