Ponderosa Ventures

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.