Qarbotech
Qarbotech is a Malaysian agritech company that sells QarboGrow, a patented carbon quantum dot foliar spray that enhances plant photosynthesis to boost crop yields by 20-30%. It serves smallholder farmers, plantations, and agritech companies across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, with expansion into the Philippines and the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSeri Kembangan, Malaysia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Qarbotech does
Qarbotech Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian agritech company founded in 2018 by Professor Dr. Suraya Abdul Rashid, headquartered in Puchong, Selangor, with additional offices in Bukit Mertajam (Penang) and Jakarta, Indonesia. The company develops and commercializes a patented biocompatible nanotechnology using carbon quantum dots (CQDs) that mimic chlorophyll; when applied as a foliar spray, the compound integrates with plant chloroplasts to optimize photon absorption and electron transfer, reportedly accelerating photosynthesis by up to 100%. Its core commercial product, QarboGrow (launched 2022), is sold to smallholder farmers, plantations, and agritech companies across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, with case-study outcomes including 20-30% crop yield increases, 20% shorter crop cycles, and improved fruit sweetness. Earlier products Harvast and Harvast+ target the home gardening and ornamental plant segments respectively, originally commercialized via Instagram.
Qarbotech generates revenue primarily through one-time repeat purchases of QarboGrow sold via direct enterprise field sales with embedded agronomists, channel partners/distributors (e.g., Elsion Bioseeds, Sinarmas, FGV, elevarm, goKomodo), and emerging e-commerce links. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is exploring a secondary carbon credit revenue stream tied to estimated additional CO2 removal (1.3 tonnes per 7,000 liters sold) and has appointed a dedicated Carbon Credit Specialist. To date the company has raised approximately US$2.2 million across a 2023 seed round led by 500 Global and a 2024 undisclosed round, and has won numerous regional and global agritech/climate awards including the SusHi Tech Global Pitch Challenge 2026 Grand Prize.
Qarbotech firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Qarbotech
- Legal name
- Qarbotech Sdn Bhd
- Website
- https://qarbotech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Qarbotech is a Malaysian agritech company that sells QarboGrow, a patented carbon quantum dot foliar spray that enhances plant photosynthesis to boost crop yields by 20-30%. It serves smallholder farmers, plantations, and agritech companies across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, with expansion into the Philippines and the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Qarbotech industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- NAICS
- Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253)
- SIC
- Agricultural Chemicals (2870)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Foliar Fertilizers & Foliar Nutrition Programs (AFABACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Lawn Nutrition & Biostimulants (Compost Tea, Humic/Fulvic, Microbes) (HSAIAGAF)
Keywords
Where Qarbotech is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seri Kembangan
- HQ country
- Malaysia
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Qarbotech business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- QarboGrow Product Sales: Sale of QarboGrow photosynthesis enhancer as a foliar spray application. Sold to farmers, plantations, and agritech companies. Revenue is transaction-based, with repeat purchases for ongoing crop cycles. Application frequency: once per week depending on crop needs.
- Harvast/Harvast+ Product Sales: Sale of Harvast (home gardening) and Harvast+ (ornamental plants) products. Initially sold via Instagram e-commerce (shop.ee) and later expanded to commercial segments.
- Carbon Credit Revenue: Company estimates that QarboGrow facilitates additional CO2 removal through enhanced plant photosynthesis. 7,000 liters of QarboGrow sold to date have facilitated removal of 1.3 tonnes of additional CO2. Company is exploring carbon credit monetization opportunities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard commercial pricing for QarboGrow photosynthesis enhancer |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Qarbotech product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Qarbotech manufactures and sells QarboGrow, a patented foliar spray built on biocompatible carbon quantum dot (CQD) nanotechnology derived from agricultural waste. The chlorophyll-mimicking compound integrates with chloroplasts to optimize photon absorption and electron transfer, increasing photosynthetic efficiency by up to 100% and delivering 20–30% crop yield gains, 20% shorter crop cycles, and improved fruit sweetness. The technology works synergistically with conventional fertilizers and pesticides and is sold across commercial agriculture, home gardening (Harvast), and ornamental plants (Harvast+).
Product overview
Qarbotech offers a portfolio of photosynthesis enhancement products built on patented nanocarbon technology derived from agricultural waste. The core product is QarboGrow, a commercial-grade photosynthesis enhancer for vegetables, fruits, and flowers, which uses biocompatible organic compounds mimicking chlorophyll to boost photosynthetic efficiency by up to 100%. Supporting the portfolio are Harvast and Harvast+, sub-brands originally developed for the home gardening and ornamental plant segments respectively. All products share the same foundational carbon quantum dot technology developed at Universiti Putra Malaysia and work synergistically with existing fertilizers and growth boosters.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- QarboGrow: Photosynthesis enhancer for commercial agriculture - a groundbreaking product using nanocarbon technology to improve photosynthetic efficiency in plants, resulting in increased yields, shorter crop cycles, and improved fruit quality.
- Harvast
- Harvast+
Products and services
- QarboGrow QarboGrow is a patented, biocompatible foliar spray that uses carbon quantum dot (CQD) nanotechnology to mimic chlorophyll and integrate with chloroplasts, optimizing photon absorption and electron transfer. Applied at a 1:100 dilution once per week, it reportedly increases photosynthetic efficiency by up to 100%, boosts crop yields 20–30%, shortens crop cycles by ~20%, and improves fruit sweetness by ~20%. Sold to farmers, plantations, and agritech companies across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Harvast / Harvast+ Harvast is the home gardening version of Qarbotech's photosynthesis enhancement technology, sold via Instagram e-commerce (Shopee). Harvast+ is an advanced formulation targeting ornamental plants, especially aroids, promoting faster growth, improved foliage color, and overall plant health. Both products share the same foundational chlorophyll-mimicking organic compound technology as QarboGrow.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20-30% crop yield increase (varies by crop)
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Qarbotech
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Qarbotech technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Qarbotech partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered major, strategic, core and minor.
- Singapore Management University (SMU) Urban SustaInnovatormajorSelected for SMU's Urban SustaInnovator deep tech accelerator programme. 12-month hybrid programme backed by S$40 million in government funding and consortium of VC firms, R&D experts, and corporates. Focus on urban and sustainability innovations including photosynthesis nanotechnology.
- MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority)strategicMIDA and BEYOND4 co-hosted Strategic Engagement Session 2026 in Kuala Lumpur. Qarbotech participated in panel discussions with Cradle Fund, Iskandar Investment Berhad, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Focus on ecosystem connectivity, talent development, scaling opportunities.
- Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)coreTechnology developed at Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ION2), UPM. Prof. Dr. Suraya Abdul Rashid is Professor at UPM's Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and Director of ION2. Technology transfer conducted by Putra Science Park, UPM.
- Elsion Bioseeds Sdn BhdstrategicMalaysian plant breeding and biotech company distributing QarboGrow. CEO Scott Teh Weh Bing tested and adopted QarboGrow for their farms, now reselling to other farmers.
- elevarmstrategicIndonesian partner for distribution and market development. Listed on Qarbotech partners page.
- goKomodominorIndonesian partner listed on Qarbotech partners page. Channel partner for market expansion in Indonesia.
- Mitra bumdesminorIndonesian village cooperative partner for distribution. Supports market entry to village-level farmers.
- SinarmasstrategicMajor Indonesian conglomerate partner for distribution. Listed on Qarbotech partners page.
- PetronasminorMalaysian national oil company listed as partner. Nature of partnership not detailed in available sources.
- Boom growminorMalaysian partner listed on Qarbotech partners page.
- MUVAminorMalaysian partner listed on Qarbotech partners page.
- FGVstrategicFGV Holdings Berhad - Malaysian palm oil plantation company. Listed as partner.
- Abundance VictoryminorMalaysian partner listed on Qarbotech partners page.
- PutrajayaminorPutrajaya listed as partner. Possibly government-related partnership.
- mukubaminorZambian seed company partner listed on Qarbotech partners page.
- seed-cominorZambian seed company partner listed on Qarbotech partners page.
- Kamano SeedminorZambian seed company partner listed on Qarbotech partners page.
- Cradle FundstrategicMalaysian startup accelerator/grow accelerator. Participated in MIDA Strategic Engagement Session 2026 panel with Qarbotech.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Qarbotech competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sound Agriculture: US-based agricultural technology company developing bio-stimulant and nutrient-efficiency solutions for crops. Comparable to Qarbotech as a venture-backed startup selling foliar-applied biological/nano inputs that improve crop productivity without traditional fertilizer or pesticide chemistry.
- Pivot Bio: US-based agricultural biotech company developing microbial nitrogen-fixing solutions for major crops. Comparable to Qarbotech as a venture-stage agritech with proprietary biological technology sold to row-crop growers targeting yield and input-cost improvements.
- Indigo Ag: US-based agricultural technology company using plant microbiome science to improve crop productivity and sustainability outcomes. Comparable to Qarbotech as a venture-backed agritech with proprietary biological science, grower-facing sales motion, and carbon/sustainability monetization angles.
- Braintree Technologies: Malaysian smart-farming agritech company that is both a customer and a regional peer. Comparable to Qarbotech as a Malaysian-based agritech operating farms and selling productivity-enhancing technology to Southeast Asian growers in similar crop segments (chilli, vegetables).
- Biolchim: Italy-based global manufacturer of biostimulants and specialty fertilizers for crop nutrition. Comparable to Qarbotech as a producer of foliar-applied plant-nutrition and biostimulant products aimed at improving yield and quality across a wide crop range.
Emerging players
- InnerPlant: US-based plant-sensing biotech working at the intersection of plant biology and crop productivity. Comparable to Qarbotech as an emerging deep-tech agritech using novel plant-biology science to improve crop outcomes rather than traditional chemistry.
- AgBiome: US-based agricultural biotechnology company developing biological crop protection and yield products from microbial collections. Comparable to Qarbotech as a venture-backed biological-input startup targeting crop health and productivity improvements.
Regional players
- Boomgrow Productions: Malaysian vertical farming and agritech company that is a listed Qarbotech partner. Comparable to Qarbotech as a Malaysia-based agritech operating in Southeast Asia with adjacent crop-input and plant-productivity focus.
Broad incumbents
- Corteva Agriscience: Global agricultural input major offering seeds, crop protection, and digital agronomy solutions across Southeast Asia. Comparable to Qarbotech as a broad incumbent in agricultural productivity with the distribution scale and R&D budget that defines the competitive ceiling for an emerging startup.
- Syngenta Group: Global agrochemical and seed company with deep presence across Southeast Asian row crops and plantations. Comparable to Qarbotech as the dominant incumbent against which any new foliar-applied photosynthesis or biostimulant technology must compete for shelf space and grower mindshare.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Qarbotech social profiles
Digital presenceQarbotech financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Qarbotech leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Qarbotech funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors10 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Qarbotech M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Qarbotech
What does Qarbotech do?
Qarbotech manufactures and sells QarboGrow, a patented foliar spray built on biocompatible carbon quantum dot (CQD) nanotechnology derived from agricultural waste. The chlorophyll-mimicking compound integrates with chloroplasts to optimize photon absorption and electron transfer, increasing photosynthetic efficiency by up to 100% and delivering 20–30% crop yield gains, 20% shorter crop cycles, and improved fruit sweetness. The technology works synergistically with conventional fertilizers and pesticides and is sold across commercial agriculture, home gardening (Harvast), and ornamental plants (Harvast+).
Is Qarbotech a public or private company?
Qarbotech is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Qarbotech founded?
Qarbotech was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Qarbotech based?
Qarbotech is headquartered in Seri Kembangan, Malaysia, in the Asia region.
How does Qarbotech make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. QarboGrow Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are harvast/Harvast+ Product Sales and carbon Credit Revenue.
Who are Qarbotech's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sound Agriculture, Pivot Bio, Indigo Ag, Braintree Technologies and Biolchim. Emerging players are InnerPlant and AgBiome. Boomgrow Productions is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Corteva Agriscience and Syngenta Group.
Does Qarbotech have an API?
No public API is recorded for Qarbotech.
What industry is Qarbotech in?
Qarbotech's product category is Agricultural Biotechnology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFABACAC, Foliar Fertilizers & Foliar Nutrition Programs, with a secondary code of HSAIAGAF, Lawn Nutrition & Biostimulants (Compost Tea, Humic/Fulvic, Microbes). Its NAICS code is 3253 and its SIC code is 2870.