CroBio completed a $1.55 million Seed Round, led by a group of US investors including The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, with participating investors SOSV and Ponderosa Ventures, and with continued support from the Catapult Ventures Group.

CroBio’s innovative approach to tackling drought and soil regeneration involves using microbes that express a sponge-like material around crop roots, which also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

At the core of CroBio’s innovative approach is the development and utilisation of genetically enhanced bacteria associated with crop roots. Their flagship product harnesses an optimised Pseudomonas bacterial strain that lives around the roots of corn plants. The corn plant captures CO2 through photosynthesis, secreting sugars that feed their bacteria. CroBio’s bacteria, in turn, produce a carbon-rich cellulose-based biomaterial that acts like a sponge, retaining large amounts of water.

This biotechnological process not only enhances soil carbon sequestration and improves nutrient availability directly at the roots but also minimises water and nutrient runoff while enriching the soil microbiome. This effectively optimises resource use and fosters more robust and sustainable crop growth.

Distinguishing itself in the field, CroBio is uniquely focused on creating drought-resilient soils – a critical issue as climates change and water resources become increasingly scarce.

“During this critical time for our planet, we must develop solutions to reduce GHG emissions to combat global warming and increase global resources to feed an estimated 10 billion people by 2050. This will require boosting food production by 50% – CroBio’s innovation seeks to deliver this necessity.” says Wayne Mulhall, Co-Founder and CEO of CroBio

“This funding will enable us to conduct field trials with key strategic partners and expand our geographical reach. Agtech is emerging as a key player in mitigating global climate change and ensuring food security worldwide. My father Wayne and I are proud to be at the forefront of a community that is pushing the boundaries of biological products to meet these critical challenges. We are grateful to our group of investors who are committed to planetary health and sustainable futures, and who will advance CroBio’s goal of enhancing global drought resilience in agriculture.” says Ross Mulhall, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of CroBio

“Droughts are a critically overlooked feedback loop exacerbating climate change. We are excited to be supporting CroBio’s mission to improve drought resilience in agriculture.” says Sam Lefkofsky, The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment.

Meet the CroBio team at the World Agri-Tech South America Summit in June 18-19 in São Paulo where they have a booth. View their profile on the start-up page.