Leaps by Bayer

Leaps by Bayer is the corporate venture capital arm of Bayer, established in 2015 and headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany. The company focuses on investing in groundbreaking advancements within the life sciences, particularly in biotechnology and agriculture. By targeting disruptive biotechnologies, Leaps by Bayer aims to make significant and lasting contributions that can profoundly impact humanity. Through its strategic investments, the firm seeks to support innovations that address critical challenges in healthcare and food production.

Paimun Amini

Senior Director of Venture Investments Agriculture

Rakhshita Dhar

Senior Director of Venture Investments Health

Juergen Eckhardt

SVP and Head

Fabio Pucci Ph.D

Senior Director of Venture Investments Health

Past deals in AgTech

NewLeaf Symbiotics

Series D in 2023
NewLeaf Symbiotics, Inc. is an agriculture technology company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of beneficial symbiotic bacteria aimed at enhancing plant health and increasing crop yields. The company focuses on naturally occurring bacteria, particularly pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs, which are utilized across various agricultural sectors, including row crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. NewLeaf Symbiotics conducts extensive laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials to validate the effectiveness of its products, providing farmers with sustainable solutions to combat plant diseases and improve agricultural productivity. Originally founded as TrophoMax, LLC in 2011, the company rebranded in July 2012 to better reflect its mission and objectives in the agricultural biotechnology space.

ChrysaLabs

Series A in 2023
ChrysaLabs, founded in 2017 and based in Montreal, Canada, specializes in the development of innovative technology for real-time soil fertility assessment. The company offers a portable probe that accurately measures soil nutrients and health directly in the field, allowing producers and agronomists to make informed decisions regarding fertilizer management. This advanced optical technology evaluates soil properties at various depths and requires no prior preparation, facilitating immediate access to critical data. In addition to the probe, ChrysaLabs provides a management platform that enables users to access this information and take appropriate actions to optimize crop yield and soil health.

Andes

Series A in 2023
Andes develops an integrated microbial technology to help accelerate crop growth. Its technology is combined with artificial intelligence to develop its seeds while reducing input costs and environmental footprints and helps farmers to boost their agricultural output and income. Andes was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Alameda, California.

EarthOptics

Series B in 2023
EarthOptics is a company focused on sustainable agricultural management through the development of a global soil cloud platform. Utilizing advanced sensors and machine learning, EarthOptics creates highly accurate soil maps by analyzing far fewer soil samples. The platform provides detailed insights into various soil attributes, including compaction, fertility, and carbon levels. This technology empowers farmers, ranchers, and land managers to make informed decisions that enhance profitability and sustainability in soil management. Additionally, EarthOptics offers near-real-time actionable data that aids in monitoring soil health, benefiting both agricultural practices and carbon credit verification efforts.

NuCicer

Seed Round in 2022
NuCicer is focused on transforming chickpeas from a niche ingredient into a staple superfood by developing new varieties with enhanced agronomic and quality traits. The company specializes in producing chickpeas that feature increased protein content, improved flavor, and tailored nutritional properties. Utilizing a diverse chickpea breeding library alongside a proprietary breeding innovation platform that integrates plant genetics and machine learning, NuCicer aims to address the growing demands for nutritious and sustainable food sources. Their efforts not only enhance the nutritional value of chickpeas but also aim to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, supporting the needs of the alternative-meat sector and promoting a more sustainable food system.

Apollo Agriculture

Series B in 2022
Apollo Agriculture, established in 2015, is a Kenyan agtech company based in Nairobi. It specializes in providing smallholder farmers with access to critical farming inputs, financing, and advisory services. Apollo's innovative platform employs agronomic machine learning, remote sensing, and mobile technology to assess credit risk and tailor financial and technical assistance to each farmer's unique needs and location. This approach enables farmers to enhance their yields and profits, with a focus on emerging markets, starting in Kenya.

EarthOptics

Series A in 2021
EarthOptics is a company focused on sustainable agricultural management through the development of a global soil cloud platform. Utilizing advanced sensors and machine learning, EarthOptics creates highly accurate soil maps by analyzing far fewer soil samples. The platform provides detailed insights into various soil attributes, including compaction, fertility, and carbon levels. This technology empowers farmers, ranchers, and land managers to make informed decisions that enhance profitability and sustainability in soil management. Additionally, EarthOptics offers near-real-time actionable data that aids in monitoring soil health, benefiting both agricultural practices and carbon credit verification efforts.

Andes

Series A in 2021
Andes develops an integrated microbial technology to help accelerate crop growth. Its technology is combined with artificial intelligence to develop its seeds while reducing input costs and environmental footprints and helps farmers to boost their agricultural output and income. Andes was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Alameda, California.

Grão Direto

Series A in 2021
Grão Direto LTDA operates a digital trading platform that facilitates the buying and selling of grains, connecting farmers and grain buyers in a more efficient manner. Founded in 2016 and based in Uberaba, Brazil, the platform enables users to negotiate and finalize deals for spot, future, or barter trades. It enhances market intelligence, allowing producers and buyers to make informed decisions regarding pricing and grain selection. Additionally, Grão Direto supports various processes related to grain trading, including logistics, contract management, and financial products. The platform is accessible via both a web interface and a smartphone application, catering to a diverse range of users, including cooperatives, trading companies, traditional brokers, and warehouses. By integrating technology into grain commercialization, Grão Direto aims to modernize the agricultural commodity chain in Brazil and beyond.

Apollo Agriculture

Series A in 2020
Apollo Agriculture, established in 2015, is a Kenyan agtech company based in Nairobi. It specializes in providing smallholder farmers with access to critical farming inputs, financing, and advisory services. Apollo's innovative platform employs agronomic machine learning, remote sensing, and mobile technology to assess credit risk and tailor financial and technical assistance to each farmer's unique needs and location. This approach enables farmers to enhance their yields and profits, with a focus on emerging markets, starting in Kenya.

Oerth Bio

Corporate Round in 2020
Oerth Bio LLC is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative solutions for crop protection through the use of targeted protein degraders. Founded in 2019 and based in Durham, North Carolina, the company utilizes PROTAC (proteolysis targeting chimeras) technology to create effective agricultural applications. This approach allows Oerth Bio to enhance crop yields while reducing reliance on harmful pesticides, ultimately promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By targeting protein degraders, the company aims to produce cleaner and healthier crops, contributing to the overall improvement of agricultural efficiency and safety.

NewLeaf Symbiotics

Series D in 2020
NewLeaf Symbiotics, Inc. is an agriculture technology company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of beneficial symbiotic bacteria aimed at enhancing plant health and increasing crop yields. The company focuses on naturally occurring bacteria, particularly pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs, which are utilized across various agricultural sectors, including row crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. NewLeaf Symbiotics conducts extensive laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials to validate the effectiveness of its products, providing farmers with sustainable solutions to combat plant diseases and improve agricultural productivity. Originally founded as TrophoMax, LLC in 2011, the company rebranded in July 2012 to better reflect its mission and objectives in the agricultural biotechnology space.

AgBiome

Series C in 2018
AgBiome, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Durham, North Carolina, that focuses on developing biological products to address significant challenges in agriculture, particularly soil-borne diseases affecting greenhouse and major row crops. Utilizing advanced genomics and screening technologies, AgBiome identifies plant-associated microbes that can enhance plant health, improve pest resistance, and increase crop yields. The company operates a state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facility and collaborates with prominent agricultural firms to expedite its research and product development. AgBiome's offerings include fungicides that protect crops from various diseases and a platform for capturing and screening diverse microbes for agricultural applications. Established in 2012, AgBiome aims to provide sustainable solutions that support global food production and address critical agricultural issues such as insect and nematode control.

Resson

Series C in 2018
Resson is a bioinformatics and data analytics company based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, specializing in customized agriculture solutions for large corporate clients. The company employs advanced technologies such as cloud-based data processing, swarm robotics, computer vision, and machine learning to enhance agricultural productivity. Its proprietary platform, the Resson Agricultural Management and Analytics System, analyzes crop metrics to assess the health and status of crops. By providing actionable insights derived from field data, Resson enables agricultural operators to optimize their operations, improve efficiency, increase yields, and maximize profitability.

NewLeaf Symbiotics

Series C in 2017
NewLeaf Symbiotics, Inc. is an agriculture technology company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of beneficial symbiotic bacteria aimed at enhancing plant health and increasing crop yields. The company focuses on naturally occurring bacteria, particularly pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs, which are utilized across various agricultural sectors, including row crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. NewLeaf Symbiotics conducts extensive laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials to validate the effectiveness of its products, providing farmers with sustainable solutions to combat plant diseases and improve agricultural productivity. Originally founded as TrophoMax, LLC in 2011, the company rebranded in July 2012 to better reflect its mission and objectives in the agricultural biotechnology space.

FarmLead

Series A in 2017
FarmLead Resources Ltd. is a digital marketplace designed to enhance the buying and selling of grain, connecting farmers with verified buyers across North America. Founded in 2013 and based in Ottawa, Canada, the company operates in key agricultural regions including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Through its online platform and mobile application, FarmLead offers various services such as market research, grain testing, and price visibility, which help reduce brokerage fees and risks for farmers. The marketplace promotes efficiency, transparency, and equality within the grain industry, enabling farmers to negotiate better deals while allowing buyers to conveniently find the grain they need in their preferred locations.

Resson

Series B in 2016
Resson is a bioinformatics and data analytics company based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, specializing in customized agriculture solutions for large corporate clients. The company employs advanced technologies such as cloud-based data processing, swarm robotics, computer vision, and machine learning to enhance agricultural productivity. Its proprietary platform, the Resson Agricultural Management and Analytics System, analyzes crop metrics to assess the health and status of crops. By providing actionable insights derived from field data, Resson enables agricultural operators to optimize their operations, improve efficiency, increase yields, and maximize profitability.

AgBiome

Series B in 2015
AgBiome, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Durham, North Carolina, that focuses on developing biological products to address significant challenges in agriculture, particularly soil-borne diseases affecting greenhouse and major row crops. Utilizing advanced genomics and screening technologies, AgBiome identifies plant-associated microbes that can enhance plant health, improve pest resistance, and increase crop yields. The company operates a state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facility and collaborates with prominent agricultural firms to expedite its research and product development. AgBiome's offerings include fungicides that protect crops from various diseases and a platform for capturing and screening diverse microbes for agricultural applications. Established in 2012, AgBiome aims to provide sustainable solutions that support global food production and address critical agricultural issues such as insect and nematode control.

AgBiome

Venture Round in 2014
AgBiome, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Durham, North Carolina, that focuses on developing biological products to address significant challenges in agriculture, particularly soil-borne diseases affecting greenhouse and major row crops. Utilizing advanced genomics and screening technologies, AgBiome identifies plant-associated microbes that can enhance plant health, improve pest resistance, and increase crop yields. The company operates a state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facility and collaborates with prominent agricultural firms to expedite its research and product development. AgBiome's offerings include fungicides that protect crops from various diseases and a platform for capturing and screening diverse microbes for agricultural applications. Established in 2012, AgBiome aims to provide sustainable solutions that support global food production and address critical agricultural issues such as insect and nematode control.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.