Ponderosa Ventures

Hoofprint Biome is a biotechnology company that develops probiotics and natural enzymes to enhance the sustainability of ruminant livestock production. Their products improve cattle health and digestive care by reducing methane emissions, thereby enabling the livestock industry to adopt more sustainable practices through microbiome engineering.

Terradot is a company that specializes in developing a carbon removal platform aimed at reducing carbon footprints and transforming soil carbon management. The platform employs various methods to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and enhance high-integrity soil carbon removal. By doing so, Terradot enables both businesses and individuals to actively participate in environmental stewardship, contributing to efforts to mitigate climate change and improve ecological health. The company's innovative approach seeks to create significant positive impacts on the environment through effective carbon management solutions.

Cerve is a technology company that specializes in enhancing communication and operational efficiency within the food industry. It provides an end-to-end platform that facilitates automated, two-way interactions between wholesalers and B2B buyers. Cerve's offerings include personalized product catalogs, dynamic pricing, tailored delivery terms, and customized deals accessible across various platforms and devices. The company also equips wholesalers with a comprehensive suite of tools, including an AI infrastructure, an ordering platform, a sales application, and a dedicated wholesaler platform. By focusing on integration and standardization, Cerve enables organizations within the food sector, such as manufacturers, wholesalers, and caterers, to streamline their operations and scale their commercial activities effectively.

Everest Carbon is a developer of advanced rock weathering technology aimed at permanently removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The company employs a process that involves spreading alkaline silicate-based rock or mineral powder on soils, which not only enhances soil health but also boosts crop yields. In addition to its core technology, Everest Carbon is focused on developing innovative measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) solutions to scale carbon dioxide removal through enhanced weathering to one billion tons annually. This approach is designed to provide economic opportunities for communities in the global south while addressing the pressing challenge of climate change.

CREW Carbon is a company dedicated to removing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, from wastewater through innovative technology. Utilizing engineered enhanced weathering, the company's approach harnesses the natural power of minerals to treat both municipal and industrial wastewater while permanently storing CO2. Operating within the environmental services sector, CREW Carbon focuses on greenhouse gas management and carbon removal, aiming to support businesses and governments in achieving their climate objectives. Through its climate tech solutions, the company strives to make a positive environmental impact.

Circe specializes in developing a scalable fermentation platform that transforms carbon dioxide, water, and electricity into organic molecules. By utilizing fermentation processes, Circe creates sustainable and decarbonized food products that cater to consumer demand for healthy, plant-based options. The company's innovative approach harnesses CO2 as a feedstock, enabling the production of desirable food items while significantly reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional food manufacturing. Circe's focus on integrating fermentation-derived and sustainably sourced ingredients ensures that their offerings are not only environmentally friendly but also appealing to consumers seeking nutritious alternatives.

Uncaged Innovations is a company focused on developing next-generation materials to replicate bovine and exotic leather using advancements in materials chemistry and digital manufacturing. By creating innovative biomaterials, Uncaged Innovations provides businesses across various industries, including luxury fashion and automotive, with sustainable and ethical alternatives to traditional animal skin. This commitment to sustainability not only addresses environmental concerns but also aligns with the growing demand for cruelty-free products in the market.

Syntopa is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of precision biologics for agriculture. It leverages proprietary methods and cutting-edge technologies from synthetic biology and ag tech to create innovative agricultural products. The company's core technology enables it to predict and optimize the performance of microorganisms in specific soil conditions, thereby enhancing crop productivity, profitability, and sustainability. This, in turn, contributes to the broader goal of reversing climate change.

Circe specializes in developing a scalable fermentation platform that transforms carbon dioxide, water, and electricity into organic molecules. By utilizing fermentation processes, Circe creates sustainable and decarbonized food products that cater to consumer demand for healthy, plant-based options. The company's innovative approach harnesses CO2 as a feedstock, enabling the production of desirable food items while significantly reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional food manufacturing. Circe's focus on integrating fermentation-derived and sustainably sourced ingredients ensures that their offerings are not only environmentally friendly but also appealing to consumers seeking nutritious alternatives.

Nfinite Nanotechnology is an advanced materials company specializing in open-air atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology to produce functional nanomaterials. The company focuses on enabling innovations in various sectors, including sustainable packaging, batteries, and photovoltaics. Nfinite has developed a rapid open-air nanocoating system that delivers large-area, high-quality ultrathin films at speeds up to 100 times faster than traditional ALD methods, significantly reducing costs. This technology sets new industry standards by providing packaging manufacturers with the ability to create cost-effective, sustainable packaging solutions that are fully compostable, recyclable, and capable of preserving product freshness and shelf life. Through its innovative approach, Nfinite aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of transformative technologies for a sustainable future.

CroBio Ltd is an agricultural biotechnology company that focuses on developing innovative solutions to enhance water retention in soil, particularly in the face of global agricultural drought. Founded in 2019 and based in Macclesfield, United Kingdom, the company specializes in genetically engineered root-associated bacteria that create a self-sustaining, biologically active material capable of improving soil health. By harnessing expertise in microbiology and engineering, CroBio aims to provide environmentally sustainable solutions that address the challenges of water scarcity in agriculture.

Peptobiotics is a biotechnology startup focused on livestock disease prevention through innovative synthetic biology solutions. The company specializes in the development of recombinant custom peptides cultivated from synthetic microorganisms, which serve as antibiotic alternatives for promoting animal health and growth. By providing farmers and breeders with effective tools to protect livestock against pathogens, Peptobiotics aims to enhance agricultural productivity while ensuring humane and sustainable practices. The company’s approach addresses the critical need for disease prevention in livestock without contributing to antibiotic resistance, thereby fostering a more responsible and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Umaro Foods focuses on creating a sustainable plant-based protein derived from ocean-farmed seaweed. The company aims to provide an alternative to traditional animal products by offering nutritious and flavorful food options, including crispy and umami-rich bacon alternatives. By leveraging seaweed farming, Umaro seeks to promote a more humane treatment of animals while also supporting environmental sustainability. The innovative approach positions seaweed as a viable and scalable source of protein, which can surpass traditional soy production, contributing to a thriving planet.

OKIPA is an agricultural chemical manufacturing company.

Mondra is a technology-focused company dedicated to transforming global supply chains with an emphasis on sustainability and environmental impact. By integrating advanced methods such as satellite data, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, Mondra addresses data gaps that hinder comprehension of the food supply chain's effects on the environment. The company has developed a data-driven insights platform that assists stakeholders in the food system in achieving their carbon neutrality objectives. This platform features a labeling system that allows producers to demonstrate their products' verified environmental performance and benchmark them against industry averages. Mondra empowers producers to identify opportunities for reducing their environmental footprint, thereby enhancing product performance and fostering brand loyalty through transparency in environmental practices.

Terradot is a company that specializes in developing a carbon removal platform aimed at reducing carbon footprints and transforming soil carbon management. The platform employs various methods to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and enhance high-integrity soil carbon removal. By doing so, Terradot enables both businesses and individuals to actively participate in environmental stewardship, contributing to efforts to mitigate climate change and improve ecological health. The company's innovative approach seeks to create significant positive impacts on the environment through effective carbon management solutions.

Everest Carbon is a developer of advanced rock weathering technology aimed at permanently removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The company employs a process that involves spreading alkaline silicate-based rock or mineral powder on soils, which not only enhances soil health but also boosts crop yields. In addition to its core technology, Everest Carbon is focused on developing innovative measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) solutions to scale carbon dioxide removal through enhanced weathering to one billion tons annually. This approach is designed to provide economic opportunities for communities in the global south while addressing the pressing challenge of climate change.

Ant Robotics is a mobile robotics company focused on enhancing agricultural practices through the development of autonomous systems. Utilizing image recognition and deep learning algorithms, the company provides innovative solutions that help farmers identify and eliminate harmful weeds in their crops. By offering open-source robotic platforms, Ant Robotics aims to improve efficiency in farming operations, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural practices and increasing crop yields.

CarbonFarm is a company focused on facilitating regenerative agriculture and aiding corporations in their pursuit of net-zero emissions. It operates a satellite-verified carbon credits platform that leverages satellite data and artificial intelligence to enhance transparency for its clients. By combining these technologies, CarbonFarm democratizes access to carbon credits, allowing rice farmers to accurately quantify their emissions. The company supports farmers in transitioning to sustainable practices by providing them with the necessary tools and data to monitor their agricultural practices and estimate emissions remotely. Through its innovative approach, CarbonFarm aims to make regenerative agriculture financially viable for farmers while contributing to broader environmental goals.

Wootzano specializes in developing advanced robotic solutions for the post-harvest industry, focusing on the delicate packing of fresh produce. The company's flagship product, Wootzskin, is an electronic skin that equips robots with highly sensitive force/pressure sensors, along with temperature/humidity and chemical/gas sensors. This technology enables robots to handle various types of fruit and vegetables with precision and care, mimicking human touch. Wootzano's systems integrate vision technology, machine learning algorithms, and real-time cloud updates, allowing the robots to learn and improve over time. This results in a more efficient and gentle handling process for soft produce, reducing damage and enhancing overall quality.

Hoofprint Biome is a biotechnology company that develops probiotics and natural enzymes to enhance the sustainability of ruminant livestock production. Their products improve cattle health and digestive care by reducing methane emissions, thereby enabling the livestock industry to adopt more sustainable practices through microbiome engineering.

Mondra is a technology-focused company dedicated to transforming global supply chains with an emphasis on sustainability and environmental impact. By integrating advanced methods such as satellite data, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, Mondra addresses data gaps that hinder comprehension of the food supply chain's effects on the environment. The company has developed a data-driven insights platform that assists stakeholders in the food system in achieving their carbon neutrality objectives. This platform features a labeling system that allows producers to demonstrate their products' verified environmental performance and benchmark them against industry averages. Mondra empowers producers to identify opportunities for reducing their environmental footprint, thereby enhancing product performance and fostering brand loyalty through transparency in environmental practices.

SnoFox Sciences specializes in data analytics aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and reducing energy consumption in the cold industrial sector. The company has developed a proprietary platform that leverages thermodynamic data to provide insights for cold chain monitoring and preventative maintenance. This innovative technology transforms complex data feeds into actionable analytics, which can be accessed through a customizable web-based interface. This tool enables decision-making at various levels—from individual units to entire facilities—facilitating targeted improvements that not only optimize energy usage but also mitigate the environmental impact of industrial cooling operations.

Adapt AgTech provides a turn-key opportunity for container farming of edible and gourmet mushrooms. Adapt opens the door for new entrants to the farming industry and creates an opportunity for entrepreneurs while advancing access to a sustainable food supply.Adapt AgTech provides a turn-key opportunity for container farming.

Natrx is an innovative company focused on enhancing coastal resilience and protection through advanced technology and a nature-based approach. By integrating geospatial software and advanced manufacturing solutions, Natrx promotes harmony between natural ecosystems and urban infrastructure. The company's solutions are designed to meet the performance needs of large-scale public and private asset owners, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional methods that are often costly and ecologically harmful. Natrx aims to set a new standard for sustainable resilience, delivering high-performance solutions that not only address environmental challenges but also contribute positively to economic outcomes. Through its technology-first approach, Natrx empowers builders, architects, and ecologists to create infrastructure that enhances both functionality and aesthetic value.

Rubi Laboratories is a California-based company that specializes in the development of technology to manufacture carbon-negative textiles. The firm utilizes innovative sustainable solutions to convert carbon emissions into natural fibers, resulting in biodegradable textiles. Its technology directly synthesizes threads, providing a natural resource for the production of viscose that is carbon-negative, as well as being water-chemical, land-neutral, traceable, and environmentally friendly. Rubi Laboratories aims to address the environmental impact of textile manufacturing by offering a more sustainable alternative in the industry.

BlakBear is a company that specializes in the development of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors designed to enhance quality control and reduce food waste throughout the supply chain, from producers to consumers. By utilizing innovative electrochemical sensing technology combined with statistical algorithms, BlakBear effectively monitors soil nitrogen levels and optimizes soil fertilization. This approach not only extends the shelf-life of food products but also assists food producers in minimizing rejections, ultimately leading to greater efficiency in food production and distribution.

Klim enables farmers to transition to regenerative agriculture at scale by providing them financial support, knowledge, documentation tools, and a community via our digital companion for farmers. Klim-verified carbon removal credits, generated by Klim farmers, help companies to transition to net zero by offsetting their carbon emissions locally and with maximum impact and transparency.

Neolithics is a technology company that specializes in automating quality control for fresh produce. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence software, Neolithics provides automated crop inspection solutions that enable users to detect, classify, and sort their crops efficiently. The company's innovations aim to enhance transparency and facilitate digital recording of inventory, allowing customers to maximize utilization, reduce waste, and improve food safety. Through its automated systems, Neolithics helps clients lower distribution costs and increase the overall value of their inventory, thereby streamlining the quality control process and minimizing reliance on manual sorting methods.

Muddy Machines develops autonomous robots aimed at assisting farms with labor-intensive crops. The company's primary focus is on enhancing its technology for harvesting green asparagus, while also exploring applications for other crops. Utilizing computer vision and machine learning, Muddy Machines' robotics platform enables precise harvesting by predicting crop maturity and selectively gathering produce, minimizing damage and ensuring freshness. In addition to harvesting, the company is investigating other labor-intensive agricultural tasks, such as weeding and precision applications, to further support farmers in improving efficiency and productivity in their operations.

Concert Bio is a technology company that assists businesses in enhancing their microbial communities' productivity through its proprietary full-stack platform. This platform integrates monitoring, analytics, and intervention strategies to manipulate microbiomes, empowering clients to optimize these communities for improved performance.

Modern Synthesis is a biomaterials company focused on developing sustainable, biobased textiles for the fashion industry. By harnessing the capabilities of bacteria, the company creates customizable bio-textiles and composites that serve as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials. Their innovative approach utilizes bacterial nanocellulose, recognized for its strength and versatility, to produce textiles that do not rely on petrochemical binders or harmful chemicals. This process allows for the creation of a wide range of aesthetics and functionalities, meeting the diverse needs of designers while eliminating animal inputs. Modern Synthesis is positioned to transform the fashion industry by providing scalable solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing manufacturing practices, thereby reducing reliance on nonrenewable resources and promoting sustainable material usage.

Feedvax is an innovative company based in Argentina, established in 2018, focused on developing a platform for oral vaccines aimed at improving animal health in aquaculture. Its primary product is an oral vaccine designed to protect farmed tilapia from streptococcosis, a common disease affecting this widely farmed species. Feedvax's platform not only delivers vaccines but also provides a smart feeder that ensures nutritional and health treatments are administered automatically and individually to each animal. The company's solution is environmentally safe, cost-effective, and easy for farmers to use, promoting greater efficiency in animal production while helping to eliminate the need for antibiotics and reducing stress on the fish. By transforming traditional aquaculture practices, Feedvax aims to make a sustainable impact on the industry.

Plonts is a company focused on producing plant-based foods that promote sustainability through innovative microbial processes. It specializes in crafting a new category of plant-based cheeses that feature a range of flavors and textures derived from sustainable plant sources. By utilizing fermentation and aging techniques, Plonts transforms mild plant-based ingredients into flavorful cheeses that offer an authentic taste experience. The company aims to provide consumers with healthy and organic food options at reasonable prices, thereby supporting a more sustainable food system while catering to diverse dietary preferences.

Savefruit specializes in post-harvest technologies aimed at preserving yield, maintaining healthiness, and extending the shelf life of fruits. The company has developed and validated technologies specifically for varieties such as bananas, mangoes, tomatoes, apples, papayas, and avocados. Their product is a fine powder delivered in sealed bags, designed to delay the ripening process while preserving texture, firmness, color, odor, flavor, and nutritional properties. This technology helps producers reduce fruit waste and contribute to global food abundance.

Aquanzo is a company focused on the sustainable farming of marine zooplankton on land, utilizing agricultural byproducts to minimize environmental impact. The company operates a marine protein farming platform designed to domesticate and cultivate zooplankton, which serves as a highly nutritious feed for fish and shrimp. By employing advanced technologies, Aquanzo produces zooplankton sustainably, ensuring that its ingredients are both natural and environmentally friendly. This innovative approach allows clients in the aquafeed industry to source marine proteins without depleting ocean resources, thereby promoting a more sustainable aquaculture practice.

Planblue GmbH, established in 2017 and headquartered in Bremen, Germany, specializes in developing innovative underwater monitoring solutions. The company's flagship product, DiveRay, is an intelligent hyperspectral underwater camera that automatically scans seafloors, lake bottoms, and river beds using machine-learning algorithms for image analysis. This technology significantly reduces time spent on underwater monitoring and data interpretation, making it accessible to experienced divers rather than requiring experts-only operation. The objective data obtained by DiveRay facilitates environmental impact assessments, scientific research, exploration of unknown ocean information, inspection of underwater constructions, and support for repair activities, thereby promoting conservation and sustainable industrial activities in the blue economy.

Umaro Foods focuses on creating a sustainable plant-based protein derived from ocean-farmed seaweed. The company aims to provide an alternative to traditional animal products by offering nutritious and flavorful food options, including crispy and umami-rich bacon alternatives. By leveraging seaweed farming, Umaro seeks to promote a more humane treatment of animals while also supporting environmental sustainability. The innovative approach positions seaweed as a viable and scalable source of protein, which can surpass traditional soy production, contributing to a thriving planet.

SnoFox Sciences specializes in data analytics aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and reducing energy consumption in the cold industrial sector. The company has developed a proprietary platform that leverages thermodynamic data to provide insights for cold chain monitoring and preventative maintenance. This innovative technology transforms complex data feeds into actionable analytics, which can be accessed through a customizable web-based interface. This tool enables decision-making at various levels—from individual units to entire facilities—facilitating targeted improvements that not only optimize energy usage but also mitigate the environmental impact of industrial cooling operations.

Heartee is a producer of gourmet mushrooms that specializes in solar-powered container farms. The company offers a turn-key solution for the cultivation of fourteen different types of edible and gourmet mushrooms. By utilizing sustainable energy sources, Heartee ensures that its farming practices are environmentally friendly while providing customers with fresh, high-quality mushrooms.

Peptobiotics is a biotechnology startup focused on livestock disease prevention through innovative synthetic biology solutions. The company specializes in the development of recombinant custom peptides cultivated from synthetic microorganisms, which serve as antibiotic alternatives for promoting animal health and growth. By providing farmers and breeders with effective tools to protect livestock against pathogens, Peptobiotics aims to enhance agricultural productivity while ensuring humane and sustainable practices. The company’s approach addresses the critical need for disease prevention in livestock without contributing to antibiotic resistance, thereby fostering a more responsible and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Rebel Meat develops organic meat products that are made half from meat and blended with mushrooms, millet, and spices. They sustainably reduce meat consumption. They also rely on organic quality for their vegetable content.

Chi Botanic specializes in the production of plant stem cells, which are cultivated to create plant-based products and ingredients on an industrial scale. The company utilizes advanced plant cell culture techniques, allowing for the rapid growth of specific plant components without the constraints of traditional agriculture, such as climate, geography, and seasonal variations. By focusing on the desired products, Chi Botanic's cultures can synthesize these materials efficiently while significantly reducing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. This innovative approach not only conserves water and energy but also minimizes shipping requirements, resulting in safer and often enhanced natural products. Through its synthetic biology platform, Chi Botanic aims to revolutionize the cultivation and utilization of plant cells, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional plant-based production methods.

Circe specializes in developing a scalable fermentation platform that transforms carbon dioxide, water, and electricity into organic molecules. By utilizing fermentation processes, Circe creates sustainable and decarbonized food products that cater to consumer demand for healthy, plant-based options. The company's innovative approach harnesses CO2 as a feedstock, enabling the production of desirable food items while significantly reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional food manufacturing. Circe's focus on integrating fermentation-derived and sustainably sourced ingredients ensures that their offerings are not only environmentally friendly but also appealing to consumers seeking nutritious alternatives.

Sera Intelligence is an Agtech company that offers IoT, machine learning, and advanced analytics to farmers to meet global food demand.

Ascribe Bioscience, established in 2017 and based in Ithaca, New York, specializes in developing crop protection products. Their primary focus is creating seed treatments that bolster plants' innate defenses against pathogens like Rhizoctonia, without leaving a negative environmental footprint. The company's innovative approach involves studying the molecular interactions between microbes and plants to identify immunity-activating signaling molecules.

Boomitra is an innovative carbon marketplace that collaborates with farmers and landowners globally to combat climate change through enhanced agricultural practices. Based in the United States, the company leverages proprietary artificial intelligence and satellite technology to monitor, report, and verify soil organic carbon levels to depths exceeding 30 centimeters, eliminating the need for physical soil sampling and significantly reducing measurement costs. This efficient and scalable approach allows Boomitra to operate across diverse land sizes and regions, impacting over 5 million acres and engaging more than 150,000 farmers across four continents. By facilitating the sale of carbon credits, Boomitra ensures that farmers and landowners receive the majority of proceeds, enabling them to reinvest in their farms and surrounding communities. The company's platform also utilizes satellite data and geospatial deep learning to assess soil conditions, further promoting sustainable land management practices.

Verdi is a developer of advanced data science platforms focused on enhancing precision agriculture, particularly in irrigation management. The company creates scalable control systems that facilitate plant-level healthcare and automation, even in challenging farming environments. By leveraging geospatial analytics, Verdi's network of irrigation valves allows farmers and growers to make informed irrigation decisions. This innovative approach enables users to customize water and fertilizer application at the individual plant level, thereby optimizing cultivation processes. Verdi aims to empower agricultural professionals with the tools needed to effectively build, manage, and scale their farming operations.

Verdi Expeditions is a scalable platform for agricultural automation and tailored plant health.