DCVC

DCVC, established in 2010 and based in Palo Alto, California, is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments in deep tech companies. The firm backs entrepreneurs leveraging advanced technologies to drive transformative change across various sectors, including artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and life sciences. DCVC's portfolio comprises companies that combine cutting-edge science and technology with unique computing and algorithmic advantages, aiming to reduce capital and operational expenses. DCVC Bio, a subsidiary founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco, specializes in investing in early-stage life science companies powered by deep tech approaches, targeting sectors such as therapeutics platforms, agriculture, and industrial biotechnologies. Both DCVC and DCVC Bio are registered investment advisers.

Chris Boshuizen

Operating Partner

Jack Buendorf

Associate

Michael Driscoll

Founding Partner

Anna Fokina

Investment Director

John Hamer

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

Justin Kern Ph.D

Partner

Andy May

Operating Partner

Patrick McCauley

Operating Partner

Matt O'Connell

Operating Partner

Joe Oleynik

Associate

Luca Parolari Ph.D

Senior Associate

Jason Pontin

General Partner and Member of Investment Team

Spencer Punter

COO and Partner

Monica Rogati

Equity Partner

Stephen Seymour

Associate, Investments

Eric Shiozaki

Partner

Rachel Slaybaugh

Principal

Kiersten Stead

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

Milo Werner

General Partner

Past deals in Agriculture

AgZen

Series A in 2025
AgZen is a company focused on developing innovative pesticide sprays that enhance the efficacy of agricultural chemicals while minimizing environmental impact. Their patented, food-safe additives and retrofits for sprayers allow pesticide droplets to adhere more effectively to plants. This technology enables farmers to achieve the same level of protection with significantly lower volumes of pesticides, thereby reducing pollution associated with agricultural practices. By optimizing pesticide application, AgZen supports farmers in maintaining plant health and yield while promoting sustainable farming methods.

Elo Life Systems

Series A in 2024
Elo Life Systems is a biotechnology company dedicated to enhancing human health and wellness through innovative food solutions. The company aims to connect food, agriculture, and health by addressing challenges related to agricultural productivity, nutritional needs, food security, and overall wellness. Elo employs advanced techniques such as precision breeding, genomics, data analytics, and machine learning to develop healthier food alternatives. By focusing on replacing sugar and artificial sweeteners, Elo strives to empower consumers to enjoy their favorite foods while leading healthier lives. Through strategic partnerships within the food systems value chain, the company seeks to create sustainable solutions that benefit both individuals and communities.

Halter

Series C in 2023
Halter Limited, founded in 2016 and based in Morrinsville, New Zealand, specializes in developing GPS-enabled, solar-powered tracking devices for livestock. The company manufactures innovative collars designed for cows, allowing farmers to monitor and guide their animals across pastures. Halter's technology enables virtual fencing, helping farmers optimize productivity while promoting sustainable farming practices. By enhancing the management of livestock, Halter aims to improve agricultural efficiency and animal welfare, contributing to the overall sustainability of pasture-based farming.

Elo Life Systems

Series A in 2023
Elo Life Systems is a biotechnology company dedicated to enhancing human health and wellness through innovative food solutions. The company aims to connect food, agriculture, and health by addressing challenges related to agricultural productivity, nutritional needs, food security, and overall wellness. Elo employs advanced techniques such as precision breeding, genomics, data analytics, and machine learning to develop healthier food alternatives. By focusing on replacing sugar and artificial sweeteners, Elo strives to empower consumers to enjoy their favorite foods while leading healthier lives. Through strategic partnerships within the food systems value chain, the company seeks to create sustainable solutions that benefit both individuals and communities.

Verdant Robotics

Series A in 2022
Verdant Robotics, Inc. specializes in developing artificial intelligence-based robotic solutions for agriculture. Established in 2018 and headquartered in Hayward, California, the company focuses on enhancing grower profits through advanced technology that digitally maps farms and tracks plant health over time. Its flagship product, the Model B Smart Sprayer, significantly reduces labor costs by over 50% and input costs by 96%, while providing efficient weed and thinning services for various crop types, including organic and no-till fields. Utilizing proprietary targeting technology and a precise spraying system, Verdant Robotics enables micro-fertilization and nutrient delivery, leading to notable increases in crop yields. By integrating robotics, computer vision, and machine learning, Verdant empowers farmers to maximize productivity and efficiency in food production.

Sabanto

Series A in 2022
Sabanto specializes in Farming-as-a-Service, focusing on enhancing autonomy in agricultural operations through innovative technology. The company offers low-cost retrofits for existing agricultural machinery, regardless of the make or model, enabling farmers to modernize their equipment affordably. Additionally, Sabanto develops supporting software that enhances the utility of autonomous technologies, ultimately improving return on investment for producers. By providing a supervised autonomous equipment platform, Sabanto delivers comprehensive agriculture services that allow farmers to monitor and manage their farmlands efficiently from a centralized location. This approach not only streamlines operations but also advances the future of agriculture through accessible and effective technological solutions.

Capella Space

Series C in 2022
Capella Space is a commercial satellite imaging company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2016. It operates a constellation of small satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, capable of providing high-resolution Earth observation imagery at 50 centimeters. This technology allows for continuous monitoring of the Earth's surface, regardless of weather conditions, including clouds, smoke, and darkness. Capella Space's services support various industries, including maritime domain awareness, agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. The company aims to enhance decision-making related to commerce, conservation, and security by delivering timely and flexible geospatial data. Its capabilities are particularly valuable for applications involving economic activity estimation, urban planning, and search and rescue operations.

Pivot Bio

Series D in 2021
Pivot Bio is a biotechnology company founded in 2010 and based in Emeryville, California, that focuses on enhancing crop nutrition through the use of engineered microbes. The company leverages its deep understanding of the plant microbiome, employing engineering principles and data science to map microbial dynamics and develop beneficial traits. Pivot Bio's proprietary ON Technology utilizes naturally occurring microbes to provide crops with essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, which is crucial for growth. This innovative approach aims to replace synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, thereby reducing the environmental impact associated with conventional farming practices. By enhancing crops' ability to capture and metabolize atmospheric nitrogen, Pivot Bio seeks to lower farming costs, improve crop yields, and contribute to a sustainable agricultural future that benefits both the planet and food supply.

Halter

Series B in 2021
Halter Limited, founded in 2016 and based in Morrinsville, New Zealand, specializes in developing GPS-enabled, solar-powered tracking devices for livestock. The company manufactures innovative collars designed for cows, allowing farmers to monitor and guide their animals across pastures. Halter's technology enables virtual fencing, helping farmers optimize productivity while promoting sustainable farming practices. By enhancing the management of livestock, Halter aims to improve agricultural efficiency and animal welfare, contributing to the overall sustainability of pasture-based farming.

BioPhero

Series A in 2021
BioPhero is a pioneer in the development of bio-based pheromones for pest management, focusing on providing cost-effective and safe alternatives to traditional insecticides. The company utilizes a fermentation platform that employs yeasts to produce insect pheromones at low costs, enabling farmers to effectively manage pests while minimizing environmental impact. This innovative approach aims to enhance agricultural practices by offering sustainable solutions that are both affordable and efficient.

Gro Intelligence

Series B in 2021
Gro Intelligence, Inc. is an agricultural data analytics company that provides insights to enhance productivity and access to capital in the farming sector. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in New York, with an additional office in Nairobi, the company employs proprietary algorithms and artificial intelligence to aggregate, process, and analyze data related to weather patterns, trade flows, pricing dynamics, and production. Its platform offers computational and visualization tools that enable financial institutions, corporations, and government entities to make informed decisions regarding supply chains, climate change, and food security. By bridging data gaps across global agriculture, Gro Intelligence synthesizes diverse farming data points from various sources, delivering a comprehensive view of factors influencing commodity markets. The company emphasizes the importance of combining artificial intelligence with human insight to transform raw agricultural and climate data into actionable knowledge.

Sabanto

Convertible Note in 2020
Sabanto specializes in Farming-as-a-Service, focusing on enhancing autonomy in agricultural operations through innovative technology. The company offers low-cost retrofits for existing agricultural machinery, regardless of the make or model, enabling farmers to modernize their equipment affordably. Additionally, Sabanto develops supporting software that enhances the utility of autonomous technologies, ultimately improving return on investment for producers. By providing a supervised autonomous equipment platform, Sabanto delivers comprehensive agriculture services that allow farmers to monitor and manage their farmlands efficiently from a centralized location. This approach not only streamlines operations but also advances the future of agriculture through accessible and effective technological solutions.

Zymergen

Series D in 2020
Zymergen, Inc. is a biotechnology company that focuses on researching, developing, and manufacturing microbes for various industries, including agriculture, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and personal care. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, Zymergen employs a platform that integrates automation, machine learning, and genomics to enhance the efficiency of microbial strain optimization and production processes. This technology enables the company to improve existing manufacturing strains and facilitates the development of new products by engineering novel molecules from microbes. With additional offices in Boise, Idaho; Medford, Massachusetts; Seattle, Washington; and Tokyo, Japan, Zymergen aims to partner with nature to create innovative materials and products that deliver significant value across multiple sectors.

Pivot Bio

Series C in 2020
Pivot Bio is a biotechnology company founded in 2010 and based in Emeryville, California, that focuses on enhancing crop nutrition through the use of engineered microbes. The company leverages its deep understanding of the plant microbiome, employing engineering principles and data science to map microbial dynamics and develop beneficial traits. Pivot Bio's proprietary ON Technology utilizes naturally occurring microbes to provide crops with essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, which is crucial for growth. This innovative approach aims to replace synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, thereby reducing the environmental impact associated with conventional farming practices. By enhancing crops' ability to capture and metabolize atmospheric nitrogen, Pivot Bio seeks to lower farming costs, improve crop yields, and contribute to a sustainable agricultural future that benefits both the planet and food supply.

Halter

Series B in 2020
Halter Limited, founded in 2016 and based in Morrinsville, New Zealand, specializes in developing GPS-enabled, solar-powered tracking devices for livestock. The company manufactures innovative collars designed for cows, allowing farmers to monitor and guide their animals across pastures. Halter's technology enables virtual fencing, helping farmers optimize productivity while promoting sustainable farming practices. By enhancing the management of livestock, Halter aims to improve agricultural efficiency and animal welfare, contributing to the overall sustainability of pasture-based farming.

Capella Space

Series B in 2019
Capella Space is a commercial satellite imaging company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2016. It operates a constellation of small satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, capable of providing high-resolution Earth observation imagery at 50 centimeters. This technology allows for continuous monitoring of the Earth's surface, regardless of weather conditions, including clouds, smoke, and darkness. Capella Space's services support various industries, including maritime domain awareness, agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. The company aims to enhance decision-making related to commerce, conservation, and security by delivering timely and flexible geospatial data. Its capabilities are particularly valuable for applications involving economic activity estimation, urban planning, and search and rescue operations.

Sabanto

Seed Round in 2019
Sabanto specializes in Farming-as-a-Service, focusing on enhancing autonomy in agricultural operations through innovative technology. The company offers low-cost retrofits for existing agricultural machinery, regardless of the make or model, enabling farmers to modernize their equipment affordably. Additionally, Sabanto develops supporting software that enhances the utility of autonomous technologies, ultimately improving return on investment for producers. By providing a supervised autonomous equipment platform, Sabanto delivers comprehensive agriculture services that allow farmers to monitor and manage their farmlands efficiently from a centralized location. This approach not only streamlines operations but also advances the future of agriculture through accessible and effective technological solutions.

Zymergen

Series C in 2018
Zymergen, Inc. is a biotechnology company that focuses on researching, developing, and manufacturing microbes for various industries, including agriculture, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and personal care. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, Zymergen employs a platform that integrates automation, machine learning, and genomics to enhance the efficiency of microbial strain optimization and production processes. This technology enables the company to improve existing manufacturing strains and facilitates the development of new products by engineering novel molecules from microbes. With additional offices in Boise, Idaho; Medford, Massachusetts; Seattle, Washington; and Tokyo, Japan, Zymergen aims to partner with nature to create innovative materials and products that deliver significant value across multiple sectors.

Entocycle

Seed Round in 2018
Entocycle Ltd is an insect farming company based in London, United Kingdom, that specializes in producing insect-based protein for animal feed. Founded in 2014, the company raises black soldier fly larvae in an automated system designed to monitor their development and environmental conditions. By utilizing organic waste from farms, restaurants, and the catering industry, Entocycle efficiently converts this waste into a sustainable source of protein, contributing to both animal feed and organic waste management. The company serves various sectors, including feed suppliers, retailers, and the agricultural industry, aiming to facilitate a global transition to more sustainable protein sources.

Capella Space

Series B in 2018
Capella Space is a commercial satellite imaging company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2016. It operates a constellation of small satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, capable of providing high-resolution Earth observation imagery at 50 centimeters. This technology allows for continuous monitoring of the Earth's surface, regardless of weather conditions, including clouds, smoke, and darkness. Capella Space's services support various industries, including maritime domain awareness, agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. The company aims to enhance decision-making related to commerce, conservation, and security by delivering timely and flexible geospatial data. Its capabilities are particularly valuable for applications involving economic activity estimation, urban planning, and search and rescue operations.

Halter

Series A in 2018
Halter Limited, founded in 2016 and based in Morrinsville, New Zealand, specializes in developing GPS-enabled, solar-powered tracking devices for livestock. The company manufactures innovative collars designed for cows, allowing farmers to monitor and guide their animals across pastures. Halter's technology enables virtual fencing, helping farmers optimize productivity while promoting sustainable farming practices. By enhancing the management of livestock, Halter aims to improve agricultural efficiency and animal welfare, contributing to the overall sustainability of pasture-based farming.

Gro Intelligence

Series A in 2017
Gro Intelligence, Inc. is an agricultural data analytics company that provides insights to enhance productivity and access to capital in the farming sector. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in New York, with an additional office in Nairobi, the company employs proprietary algorithms and artificial intelligence to aggregate, process, and analyze data related to weather patterns, trade flows, pricing dynamics, and production. Its platform offers computational and visualization tools that enable financial institutions, corporations, and government entities to make informed decisions regarding supply chains, climate change, and food security. By bridging data gaps across global agriculture, Gro Intelligence synthesizes diverse farming data points from various sources, delivering a comprehensive view of factors influencing commodity markets. The company emphasizes the importance of combining artificial intelligence with human insight to transform raw agricultural and climate data into actionable knowledge.

Plenty

Series B in 2017
Plenty Inc., established in 2014 and based in South San Francisco, specializes in vertical farming. The company cultivates a variety of fresh produce using proprietary systems that combine engineering, software, and crop science. Plenty's innovative approach reduces water usage and eliminates the need for pesticides or GMOs, resulting in sustainable, year-round harvests. Its mission is to provide clean, nutritious food while minimizing environmental impact.

Capella Space

Seed Round in 2016
Capella Space is a commercial satellite imaging company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2016. It operates a constellation of small satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, capable of providing high-resolution Earth observation imagery at 50 centimeters. This technology allows for continuous monitoring of the Earth's surface, regardless of weather conditions, including clouds, smoke, and darkness. Capella Space's services support various industries, including maritime domain awareness, agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. The company aims to enhance decision-making related to commerce, conservation, and security by delivering timely and flexible geospatial data. Its capabilities are particularly valuable for applications involving economic activity estimation, urban planning, and search and rescue operations.

Zymergen

Series B in 2016
Zymergen, Inc. is a biotechnology company that focuses on researching, developing, and manufacturing microbes for various industries, including agriculture, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and personal care. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, Zymergen employs a platform that integrates automation, machine learning, and genomics to enhance the efficiency of microbial strain optimization and production processes. This technology enables the company to improve existing manufacturing strains and facilitates the development of new products by engineering novel molecules from microbes. With additional offices in Boise, Idaho; Medford, Massachusetts; Seattle, Washington; and Tokyo, Japan, Zymergen aims to partner with nature to create innovative materials and products that deliver significant value across multiple sectors.

Capella Space

Seed Round in 2016
Capella Space is a commercial satellite imaging company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2016. It operates a constellation of small satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, capable of providing high-resolution Earth observation imagery at 50 centimeters. This technology allows for continuous monitoring of the Earth's surface, regardless of weather conditions, including clouds, smoke, and darkness. Capella Space's services support various industries, including maritime domain awareness, agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. The company aims to enhance decision-making related to commerce, conservation, and security by delivering timely and flexible geospatial data. Its capabilities are particularly valuable for applications involving economic activity estimation, urban planning, and search and rescue operations.

Pivot Bio

Series A in 2016
Pivot Bio is a biotechnology company founded in 2010 and based in Emeryville, California, that focuses on enhancing crop nutrition through the use of engineered microbes. The company leverages its deep understanding of the plant microbiome, employing engineering principles and data science to map microbial dynamics and develop beneficial traits. Pivot Bio's proprietary ON Technology utilizes naturally occurring microbes to provide crops with essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, which is crucial for growth. This innovative approach aims to replace synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, thereby reducing the environmental impact associated with conventional farming practices. By enhancing crops' ability to capture and metabolize atmospheric nitrogen, Pivot Bio seeks to lower farming costs, improve crop yields, and contribute to a sustainable agricultural future that benefits both the planet and food supply.

Blue River Technology

Series B in 2015
Blue River Technology Inc. develops advanced computer vision and robotics technology tailored for agricultural applications. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with additional offices in Salinas and Yuma, the company focuses on intelligent machinery that addresses significant challenges in farming. Its innovative "see and spray" technology allows for the identification of weeds and the selective elimination of unwanted plants, thereby reducing chemical usage in food production. This automated solution is particularly beneficial for organic farming and areas with chemical-resistant weeds, enabling farmers to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices. Blue River Technology operates as a subsidiary of Deere & Company, enhancing its capabilities in the agricultural sector.

Descartes Labs

Series A in 2015
Descartes Labs, Inc. is a technology company based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that specializes in the automated analysis of geospatial data using advanced machine learning and deep learning techniques. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on processing and categorizing visual data from a variety of sources, including satellites, drones, cameras, and smartphones. Its cloud-based platform harmonizes extensive data sets to provide scalable analysis, which supports various sectors such as agriculture, mining, consumer goods, and government. By leveraging artificial intelligence, Descartes Labs aids organizations in resource exploration, commodity forecasting, and enhancing climate resilience, facilitating informed decision-making through comprehensive insights into the physical world.

Zymergen

Series A in 2015
Zymergen, Inc. is a biotechnology company that focuses on researching, developing, and manufacturing microbes for various industries, including agriculture, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and personal care. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, Zymergen employs a platform that integrates automation, machine learning, and genomics to enhance the efficiency of microbial strain optimization and production processes. This technology enables the company to improve existing manufacturing strains and facilitates the development of new products by engineering novel molecules from microbes. With additional offices in Boise, Idaho; Medford, Massachusetts; Seattle, Washington; and Tokyo, Japan, Zymergen aims to partner with nature to create innovative materials and products that deliver significant value across multiple sectors.

DroneDeploy

Series A in 2015
DroneDeploy, Inc. is a cloud-based software company that specializes in drone solutions for various industries. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company provides a comprehensive platform for aerial mapping, data processing, and analysis. Its offerings include orthorectified maps, topographic modeling, crop health visualizations, and three-dimensional models. The platform enables users to automate workflows and perform flight safety checks, allowing for real-time data collection and analysis. DroneDeploy's software is compatible with a range of drones, including those from major manufacturers like DJI, and serves sectors such as agriculture, construction, mining, and insurance across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The company also features a drone-on-demand service that connects customers with certified professional pilots to gather aerial data on-site.

Pivot Bio

Seed Round in 2014
Pivot Bio is a biotechnology company founded in 2010 and based in Emeryville, California, that focuses on enhancing crop nutrition through the use of engineered microbes. The company leverages its deep understanding of the plant microbiome, employing engineering principles and data science to map microbial dynamics and develop beneficial traits. Pivot Bio's proprietary ON Technology utilizes naturally occurring microbes to provide crops with essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, which is crucial for growth. This innovative approach aims to replace synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, thereby reducing the environmental impact associated with conventional farming practices. By enhancing crops' ability to capture and metabolize atmospheric nitrogen, Pivot Bio seeks to lower farming costs, improve crop yields, and contribute to a sustainable agricultural future that benefits both the planet and food supply.

DroneDeploy

Seed Round in 2014
DroneDeploy, Inc. is a cloud-based software company that specializes in drone solutions for various industries. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company provides a comprehensive platform for aerial mapping, data processing, and analysis. Its offerings include orthorectified maps, topographic modeling, crop health visualizations, and three-dimensional models. The platform enables users to automate workflows and perform flight safety checks, allowing for real-time data collection and analysis. DroneDeploy's software is compatible with a range of drones, including those from major manufacturers like DJI, and serves sectors such as agriculture, construction, mining, and insurance across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The company also features a drone-on-demand service that connects customers with certified professional pilots to gather aerial data on-site.

Blue River Technology

Series A in 2014
Blue River Technology Inc. develops advanced computer vision and robotics technology tailored for agricultural applications. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with additional offices in Salinas and Yuma, the company focuses on intelligent machinery that addresses significant challenges in farming. Its innovative "see and spray" technology allows for the identification of weeds and the selective elimination of unwanted plants, thereby reducing chemical usage in food production. This automated solution is particularly beneficial for organic farming and areas with chemical-resistant weeds, enabling farmers to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices. Blue River Technology operates as a subsidiary of Deere & Company, enhancing its capabilities in the agricultural sector.

Zymergen

Seed Round in 2014
Zymergen, Inc. is a biotechnology company that focuses on researching, developing, and manufacturing microbes for various industries, including agriculture, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and personal care. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, Zymergen employs a platform that integrates automation, machine learning, and genomics to enhance the efficiency of microbial strain optimization and production processes. This technology enables the company to improve existing manufacturing strains and facilitates the development of new products by engineering novel molecules from microbes. With additional offices in Boise, Idaho; Medford, Massachusetts; Seattle, Washington; and Tokyo, Japan, Zymergen aims to partner with nature to create innovative materials and products that deliver significant value across multiple sectors.
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