Ag Startups & Financing
Nancy Kavazanjian Nancy Kavazanjian
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Corn/Maize, Fertilizer, Ag Innovation, Ag Startups & Financing,

Startup Joyn Bio aims to reduce pollution involved in large-scale agriculture

A startup is using the tools of synthetic biology to reduce the pollution involved in large-scale agriculture.The big picture: We face two major challenges around farming: how to feed a still-growing global population, and how to do so without ruining the environment. Advances in synthetic biology could help us do both.Support safe, smart, sane journalism. Sign up for Axios Newsletters here.How it works: Joyn Bio, a joint venture between synthetic biology leader Ginkgo Bioworks and life sciences giant Bayer, is experimenting with engineering microbes that could help replace the synthetic fertilizer and chemicals used in conventional farming. * The company is focusing first on developing custom microbes that could fix nitrogen in the soil to feed growing cereal crops like corn, what Joyn Bio CEO Michael Miille calls the "Holy Grail of agriculture."Background: Plants need nitrogen to grow efficiently, but there's not enough naturally in soil to support the crops needed to feed a global population of nearly 8 billion people. * The Haber-Bosch process to artificially fix nitrogen using fertilizer transformed agriculture — by one estimate only 4 billion people could be supported using natural fertilizer — but the energy intensity of the process contributes to climate change, while fertilizer runoff leads to water pollution and aquatic dead zones.Details: Joyn Bio identifies natural microbes in the soil that show promise in fixing nitrogen and then "engineers them to perform at an entirely different level," says Miille. * The company aims to engineer microbes that can fix nitrogen efficiently enough that synthetic fertilizer use could be cut by 30–50% without affecting crop yield. * Miille says that currently, Joyn Bio's engineered microbes are efficient enough to reduce fertilizer use by 10% or so, though the company still needs to overcome regulatory hurdles and consumer acceptance before it could reach the marketplace."Agriculture needs innovation to be successful. The status quo is not going to get us the...

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Nancy Kavazanjian Nancy Kavazanjian
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Ag Startups & Financing, Biotech, AgriBusiness,

Paine Schwartz exits ag biotech startup Verdesian Life Sciences

Verdesian develops biological, nutritional, and inoculant technologies for the specialty crop, row crop, turf, and ornamental markets.

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TOPIC(S): USDA, Ag Tech, Ag Startups & Financing,

12/29/2020 SOURCE: sheridanmedia.com

USDA seeks applications for grants to help Ag producers and small rural businesses develop and market new products

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TOPIC(S): Ag Tech, Ag Startups & Financing,

12/28/2020 SOURCE: www.geekwire.com

Data experts tap their farming backgrounds to lead new Washington state agriculture tech startup

As a fourth-generation Yakima hop farmer running a century-old family business, Patrick Smith has deep roots in Washington state's agriculture sector. He also has a master'

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TOPIC(S): Food/Nutrition, Ag Startups & Financing, Ag Middle East,

11/16/2020 SOURCE: www.fdiforum.net

Foodtech start-up launches next-gen native starch made form chickpeas

Israeli foodtech start-up, ChickP Protein, has launched a next-gen native starch developed from chickpeas for food and beverage applications.

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TOPIC(S): Organic, Ag Startups & Financing,

10/30/2020 SOURCE: inc42.com

This Bootstrapped Startup Is Banking On Private Label Organic Foods To Challenge Online Grocery Giants

As the ongoing pandemic crisis continues to shed light on the need to embrace health foods, nutraceuticals and organic foods in India, startups and farmers are also increasingly looking to cater to the growing demand.

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TOPIC(S): Soil Health, Conservation/Tillage, Ag Tech, Ag Startups & Financing, Renewable Energy (Solar/Wind),

10/26/2020 SOURCE: www.fastcompany.com

These biological batteries generate renewable energy from the ground

Bioo uses microorganisms in the soil to power lights—and maybe one day, your whole house.

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TOPIC(S): Agriculture Global, Insects, Ag Global Specialty Food, Ag Startups & Financing, World Hunger,

10/24/2020 SOURCE: www.reuters.com

French startup Ynsect to build world's biggest bug farm

Growing global demand for food is putting a squeeze on available land and one French startup says it has the answer: indoor insect farming.

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TOPIC(S): Sustainability, Ag Tech, Ag Startups & Financing, AI/Artificial Intelligence,

09/30/2020 SOURCE: searchenterpriseai.techtarget.com

Advantages of AI in agriculture include increased efficiency

AI has replaced the traditional ways in which the food chain and agricultural industry predict demand. Discover how the advantages of AI in agriculture can better conserve resources and predict pro...

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TOPIC(S): Organic, Young Farmers, Pork/Swine/Pig/Hog, Ag Startups & Financing,

09/17/2020 SOURCE: www.businesswire.com

Niman Ranch Awards Over $169,000 in Scholarships to Young Farmers, Future Sustainable Agriculture Leaders

The Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation, the philanthropic arm of sustainable and humane meat pioneer Niman Ranch, last week awarded scholarships t

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