Ponderosa Ventures

Hoofprint Biome is a developer of probiotics that improve the sustainability of ruminant livestock production. Its probiotics and natural enzymes improve cattle health and digestive care by eliminating methane and enabling the livestock industry to catalyze the symbiotic agriculture movement with microbiome engineering.

CREW Carbon focuses on the removal of greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater through engineered enhanced weathering. The company's technology harnesses the natural properties of minerals to effectively treat both municipal and industrial wastewater while permanently storing carbon dioxide. Operating in the environmental services sector, CREW Carbon is dedicated to greenhouse gas management and carbon removal, striving to contribute positively to environmental sustainability. Its innovative climate technology solutions are designed to assist businesses and governments in achieving their climate objectives.

Uncaged Innovations develops next-generation materials to recreate bovine and exotic leather through advancements in materials chemistry and digital manufacturing, providing businesses from luxury fashion to automotives with an alternative to animal skin and sustainable and ethical services.

Syntopa develops precision biologics using our proprietary methods and the latest technologies from Ag Tech and Synthetic Biology.

Circe specializes in the development of a scalable fermentation platform that transforms carbon dioxide, water, and electricity into organic molecules. By utilizing fermentation, the company aims to revolutionize food production by creating sustainable and healthy ingredients for plant-based foods. Circe focuses on using carbon dioxide as a feedstock, which allows for economically viable and climate-friendly production methods. Through careful selection of fats and fermentation-derived ingredients, Circe produces food items that appeal to consumers while significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional food manufacturing processes.

Nfinite Nanotechnology is an advanced material company that enables breakthrough innovations to redefine how we live, use, and create using open-air atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. Nfinite makes functional nanomaterials that accelerate the development and commercialization of transformative technologies for a sustainable future, such as sustainable packaging, batteries, and photovoltaics. They have created a rapid open-air nanocoating system that produces large-area, high-quality, ultrathin films at up to 100x the speed of conventional ALD at a lower cost.

CroBio Ltd is an agricultural biotechnology company based in Macclesfield, United Kingdom, founded in 2019 by experts in microbiology and engineering. The company focuses on developing environmentally sustainable solutions to combat global agricultural drought. Its technology leverages genetically engineered root-associated bacteria that produce a sponge-like biomaterial, facilitating biologically active water retention in soil. This innovative approach aims to improve soil health and enhance water management in agricultural practices.

Peptobiotics is a synbio startup that develops livestock disease prevention biotechnology for sustainable Agri productivity. The company makes agriculture more productive, humane, and sustainable by promoting growth and protecting against pathogens using a new type of antibiotic alternative that does not cause resistance.

Umaro Foods specializes in developing a plant-based protein source from ocean-farmed seaweed.

OKIPA is an agricultural chemical manufacturing company.

Terradot is a developer of a carbon removal platform focused on reducing carbon footprints and enhancing soil carbon management. The company employs various methods to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and facilitate high-integrity soil carbon removal. This platform enables both businesses and individuals to actively participate in environmental sustainability efforts, contributing to a positive impact on the planet.

Everest Carbon is focused on developing innovative rock weathering technology aimed at permanently removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The company utilizes alkaline silicate-based rock or mineral powder, which is spread on soils to enhance soil health and boost crop yields. In addition to its core technology, Everest Carbon is advancing measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems to scale Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) efforts to one billion tons annually. This approach not only addresses carbon emissions but also supports communities in the global south by fostering sustainable agricultural practices and improving livelihoods.

Ant Robotics is a mobile robotics company focused on developing autonomous systems for agriculture. By utilizing image recognition and deep learning algorithms, the company provides open-source robotic platforms that assist farmers in identifying and removing harmful weeds from their crops. This technology aims to enhance efficiency in farming practices, ultimately helping to improve crop yields and reduce the reliance on chemical herbicides.

Hoofprint Biome is a developer of probiotics that improve the sustainability of ruminant livestock production. Its probiotics and natural enzymes improve cattle health and digestive care by eliminating methane and enabling the livestock industry to catalyze the symbiotic agriculture movement with microbiome engineering.

SnoFox Sciences specializes in providing data analytics solutions 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 deliver insights for cold chain monitoring and preventative maintenance. This technology transforms complex data feeds into actionable analytics, which are presented through a customizable web-based tool. This platform facilitates informed decision-making at various levels, whether for specific units, entire facilities, or across entire organizations. By focusing on the optimization of energy use, SnoFox aims to lessen the environmental impact associated with industrial cooling processes.

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 specializes in providing innovative, nature-based solutions for coastal resilience and infrastructure protection. By leveraging advanced technology and geospatial software, the company aims to create sustainable and high-performance solutions that integrate nature directly into infrastructure. Natrx's approach addresses the limitations of traditional methods, which are often costly and ecologically harmful. The company's offerings are tailored to meet the performance needs of large-scale public and private asset owners, enabling builders, architects, and ecologists to enhance environmental outcomes while developing infrastructure. Natrx's commitment to marrying ecological considerations with infrastructure development seeks to set a new standard for sustainability and economic impact.

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 specializes in the development of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors designed to enhance food quality control and minimize waste throughout the supply chain. By leveraging electrochemical sensing technologies and statistical algorithms, the company provides insights into soil nitrogen levels and fertilization practices. This innovative approach not only aims to increase the shelf-life of food products but also assists producers in reducing rejections and food wastage, thereby promoting efficiency from production to consumer delivery.

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 focuses on enhancing quality control for fresh produce through automation and artificial intelligence. The company has developed a software solution that enables users to detect, classify, and sort crops efficiently, thereby maximizing utilization and minimizing waste. By implementing this technology, customers can increase inventory value, reduce distribution costs, and improve food safety. Neolithics aims to streamline the quality control process, decreasing the reliance on manual inspection and sorting, which ultimately leads to cost savings and greater transparency in inventory management.

Muddy Machines develops autonomous robots aimed at assisting farms with labor-intensive crops by automating fieldwork. The company initially focuses on its green asparagus harvest technology while planning to expand its capabilities to other crops. Additionally, Muddy Machines is exploring the use of its robotic platform for other labor-intensive tasks, such as weeding and precision applications. The robots utilize computer vision and machine learning to assess crop maturity and perform selective harvesting, ensuring that crops are picked with care to minimize damage. This innovation enables farmers to increase local produce yields and maintain the freshness of their crops.

Concert Bio helps businesses create optimal microbial communities.

Modern Synthesis is bringing life to new materials by working with bacteria to commercially develop a new class of biobased textiles which offer: (1) Performance without plastics or harsh chemicals: Materials which achieve strength and durability without petrochemical binders, harmful chemistries or toxic byproducts. (2) Aesthetics without animals: A versatile process that unlocks a wide range of looks, feels, and functions to meet designers’ seasonal needs with zero animal inputs. (3) Scale without starting from scratch: A process that leverages abundant raw materials and is designed to integrate with existing manufacturing infrastructure. Modern Synthesis’ technology leverages the intrinsic versatility of bacterial nanocellulose, which is nature’s finest and strongest form of cellulose. Their process not only displaces animal leathers, plastic-based synthetics and other nonwoven textiles, but also generate entirely new possibilities for designers.

Feedvax is an Argentine company founded in 2018 that specializes in developing oral vaccines for farmed fish, aiming to enhance animal production sustainably. The company has created a platform that delivers in-feed vaccines, beginning with a product targeting streptococcosis in tilapia, a widely farmed fish species. Feedvax's innovative approach allows for easy administration of vaccines through feed, providing an effective and environmentally safe alternative to antibiotics. This method not only protects fish from disease but also minimizes stress and potential contamination, offering a practical solution for fish producers seeking greater efficiency in aquaculture.

Plonts is a business focused on producing plant-based foods that promote sustainability. The company specializes in creating a unique category of plant-based cheeses, utilizing fermentation and aging techniques to transform mild plant ingredients into flavorful and textured cheese alternatives. By harnessing the art of microbes, Plonts aims to provide a diverse range of authentic cheese flavors and varieties. This approach not only caters to health-conscious consumers but also ensures that the products are offered at reasonable prices, aligning with the growing demand for organic and sustainable food options.

Savefruit specializes in post-harvest technologies aimed at extending the shelf life of various fruits, including bananas, mangoes, tomatoes, apples, papayas, and avocados. The company's innovative product, delivered as a fine powder in a sealed bag, effectively delays the ripening process while preserving the texture, firmness, color, odor, flavor, and nutritional properties of the fruit. By validating and testing each formulation individually, Savefruit addresses the critical issue of fruit waste, enabling producers to maintain the quality of their yields and contribute to food sustainability.

Aquanzo is a business focused on farming marine zooplankton on land, utilizing agricultural byproducts to create a sustainable and efficient production process. The company aims to domesticate zooplankton as a natural and optimal feed source for fish and shrimp, addressing the growing demand for marine proteins in the aquafeed industry. By leveraging advanced technologies, Aquanzo produces nutritious and environmentally friendly ingredients that minimize the ecological impact associated with traditional ocean harvesting. This innovative approach enables clients to enhance their aquaculture practices while preserving ocean ecosystems.

PlanBlue offers a new seafloor monitoring technology that is changing the way they map, assess and even understand our seafloor: the “DiveRay” and the accompanying software. The DiveRay is an intelligent underwater camera, that automatically scans seafloor areas, as well as lake bottoms and river beds. It makes use of hyperspectral imaging, and its software is based on machine-learning algorithms. The DiveRay significantly reduces the time spent both below and above water (i.e., monitoring underwater and data analysis/interpretation on land). Any experienced diver can use the DiveRay, it is not limited to experts-only. The rich data obtained by the DiveRay is objective (i.e., independent of the person analyzing the seafloor data) and can easily be compared to future studies.

Umaro Foods specializes in developing a plant-based protein source from ocean-farmed seaweed.

SnoFox Sciences specializes in providing data analytics solutions 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 deliver insights for cold chain monitoring and preventative maintenance. This technology transforms complex data feeds into actionable analytics, which are presented through a customizable web-based tool. This platform facilitates informed decision-making at various levels, whether for specific units, entire facilities, or across entire organizations. By focusing on the optimization of energy use, SnoFox aims to lessen the environmental impact associated with industrial cooling processes.

Peptobiotics is a synbio startup that develops livestock disease prevention biotechnology for sustainable Agri productivity. The company makes agriculture more productive, humane, and sustainable by promoting growth and protecting against pathogens using a new type of antibiotic alternative that does not cause resistance.

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 that can be cultivated into various plant products and ingredients at an industrial scale. The company focuses on developing plant cell cultures that contain only the desired components, allowing for faster growth compared to traditional plants. This innovative approach enables the synthesis of products using the entire culture, overcoming the limitations posed by climate, geography, and seasonal changes. Additionally, Chi Botanic's method eliminates the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, significantly reducing water and energy consumption as well as shipping requirements. By harnessing the power of synthetic biology, Chi Botanic aims to provide cleaner and often enhanced natural products while minimizing waste in the production process.

Circe specializes in the development of a scalable fermentation platform that transforms carbon dioxide, water, and electricity into organic molecules. By utilizing fermentation, the company aims to revolutionize food production by creating sustainable and healthy ingredients for plant-based foods. Circe focuses on using carbon dioxide as a feedstock, which allows for economically viable and climate-friendly production methods. Through careful selection of fats and fermentation-derived ingredients, Circe produces food items that appeal to consumers while significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional food manufacturing processes.

Ascribe Bioscience is a company focused on developing environmentally friendly crop protection products that help farmers combat pathogens affecting their crops. Founded in 2017 and based in Ithaca, New York, the company is currently working on a seed treatment product designed to enhance crops' natural defenses against diseases such as Rhizoctonia. By researching the interactions between microbes and plants at the molecular level, Ascribe Bioscience identifies the signaling molecules that activate plants' innate immunity. This innovative approach aims to improve both the quality and productivity of agricultural yields while minimizing negative environmental impacts.

Boomitra is an innovative carbon marketplace focused on mitigating climate change by collaborating with farmers and landowners globally to enhance agricultural practices. Based in the United States, the company employs proprietary artificial intelligence and satellite technology to monitor, report, and verify soil organic carbon levels to a depth of over 30 centimeters without the need for physical soil sampling, achieving a 99% reduction in measurement costs. This efficient and scalable approach allows Boomitra to operate across diverse landholdings, impacting over 5 million acres and engaging more than 150,000 farmers on four continents. Farmers and landowners benefit significantly from the sale of carbon credits, receiving the majority of the proceeds, which can be reinvested into their farms and local communities. By integrating satellite data and geospatial deep learning, Boomitra promotes sustainable land management and provides cost-effective pathways for farmers to participate in the carbon credit market while assisting organizations in achieving their sustainability goals.

Verdi is building the data science platform for hyper-specific farm actions, starting with irrigation.

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