Using biology to fight biology

In our human-centered and eco-centered design, we focus on reducing chemical pesticide use and improving safety, affordability, effectiveness, and food security for farmers.

Explore our roots

One of the first bioherbicides in the world

Synthetic chemicals to control crop pest and weed problems were developed in the 1900s and have established a dominant position in agricultural production. However, continuing use of synthetic pesticides further increases the threat to global health through non-target exposure, herbicide-resistant weeds, and environmental run-off that negatively impacts humans and animals alike. The agricultural industry is in dire need of a new intervention that can both fight starvation and reduce our reliance on harmful pesticides.

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Better for Farmers, Better for the Planet

Through extensive laboratory testing and field research over forty years, our novel bio-herbicide technology targets individual weeds with precision – with no toxic run-off or the carpet-bombing tactics of traditional herbicides. The innovative technology protects crops in areas otherwise besieged by high levels of malnutrition, restoring crop yield and keeping farmers safe from the harm of chemical herbicide.

Flipping Plant Pathology

Rather than fighting plant diseases, we are putting them to use against the threat of weeds. Our innovation is host-specific (only impacting the target weed, unlike broad-spectrum plant-killers).

This is the century of biology

Our technology is poised to rock the $35 billion herbicide industry with one of the first effective, safe, and cost- effective biological solutions.

Milestones

A snapshot of our innovation's journey

1980s-1990s

Dr. David Sands, at Montana State University, developed our 'virulence enhancement innovation. Funded by the US government.

Launch of R&D

2007

Identifying Striga as the worst pest threat to African food security, the pilot was launched to select the fungal strains, develop partnerships, and commercialize. Funded by the Starfish Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the German Environmental Foundation (DBU), and Welthungerhilfe.

Pilot Launch: Striga (witchweed)

2021 - 2023

The Kenya product was approved for commercial use - one of the first products to achieve this milestone in the world.

In 2023, a seed coating product was approved.

With this approval, we are now ready to expand in Africa (Toothpick Project) and launch efforts against weeds in North America. and globally

Commercial success

2021 - now

2023 Food Planet Prize Finalist (largest environmental prize in the world)
World Food Program Innovation Portfolio
Winner of UN Best Small Business Award, Good Food for All (UN Food Systems Summit)
Milken-Motsepe Prize in Agritech Finalist
UN Food Systems Summit Corporate Dialogues SME Representative
BBC World News
MacArthur Foundation Bold Solutions Network