The Saudi Arabia-based Future Investment Initiative Institute has invested $500,000 in the Paris-based Interstellar Lab to study farming in space.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that the non-profit FII Institute had made the investment in the French firm that designs closed-loop bio domes for sustaining life on Earth, the moon, and Mars.
The equity investment was reportedly a part of Interstellar Lab’s latest $3-million seed round.
The investment is said to be building on FII Institute’s commitment to relevant, real-world solutions in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Education, Healthcare, and Sustainability.
Through the investment, the institute will reportedly fund the development of AI simulation-based designs to tackle pressing environmental issues, as well as look for solutions in waste management, zero-impact living, and resource-conscious agriculture.
Barbara Belvisi, founder and CEO at Interstellar Lab, was quoted by reports as saying: “Climate change is a real emergency for Earth, and we only have a small window to bring about positive change. We are developing a new framework for sustainable living on Earth and a testbed for future space missions.”
She added: “Working with investors like FII Institute advances Interstellar Lab’s mission to support human life sustainably on Earth, the moon and Mars by generating and recycling food, water and air.”