Key Takeaways:
- Bio 520, led by CEO Edward McClure, targets indoor and greenhouse agriculture with a mineral-based liquid fertilizer designed to improve nutrient uptake.
- McClure brings a financial planning background to agtech, emphasizing business efficiency and profitability in a margin-tight industry.
- The company is focusing its efforts on the cannabis and indoor ag markets, aiming for measurable improvements in yield and product quality.
- McClure stresses the need for research-driven growers open to incremental innovation and partnerships.
- Bio 520 plans to expand its visibility through events like the CEA Summit East in Virginia and Indoor AgTech next year.
Bio 520 Focuses on Indoor Agriculture with Financial Rigor and Product Performance
Edwin McClure, CEO of Bio 520, is bringing a business-first approach to the agtech space, leveraging his background in finance to guide the company’s strategy in the indoor agriculture and cannabis sectors. In a recent interview on the Vertical Farming Podcast, hosted by AgTech Media Group CEO Harry Duran, McClure outlined how financial discipline and a focus on measurable efficiency gains are core to Bio 520’s strategy.
Bio 520’s flagship product is a liquid, mineral-based fertilizer derived from volcanic and oceanic sediments processed in Japan. The fine particle composition supports nutrient uptake and complements existing nutrient systems used in hydroponic and greenhouse operations.
“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel—we’re offering a product that makes current processes more efficient,” McClure said. “A 5-10% improvement in yield can double a farm’s profit margin, and that’s where we come in.”
From Finance to Farming
McClure’s entry into agriculture came via entrepreneurship and a personal passion for building businesses. After years of helping business owners through financial planning, he began looking for a repeatable, high-margin product with a purpose—and discovered Bio 520. The product, originally developed in Japan for fruits and vegetables, has seen early success in the cannabis market.
“Before I put money into it, I needed to know the product worked,” McClure explained. “I sent it to a few growers I trust, and one of them now runs our cultivation R&D.”
Trial First, Then Scale
McClure emphasized that Bio 520’s go-to-market strategy revolves around scientific validation. “Our entire sales process is based on trials. We encourage commercial growers to test it in controlled environments. If it works, they’ll keep coming back,” he said.
The company is currently prioritizing commercial cannabis and indoor leafy greens operations. According to McClure, growers of crops like lettuce, tomatoes, and zucchini have seen positive results, with plans to document and share trial outcomes publicly in the near future.
On Building and Scaling
From a business operations perspective, McClure believes the key to long-term success lies in building a solid team. “The right hire can make or break your early-stage company. I’d rather have one A-player than ten people just filling seats,” he said. He also warned of the pitfalls of overcapitalization without clear processes, referencing past missteps in the broader AgTech sector.
Looking ahead, Bio 520 is betting on its niche focus and the strength of its product to carve out space in a competitive landscape. “We chose indoor ag because space is expensive and every bit of efficiency counts,” said McClure. “Once we prove it here, we can scale outward.”
Collaboration and Profitability For Bio 520
McClure also called on other industry leaders to prioritize collaboration over secrecy and emphasized the importance of profitability. “If your business isn’t profitable, it doesn’t matter how noble your mission is. You won’t last, and you won’t help anyone,” he stated.
Bio 520 will next appear at the CEA Summit East in Virginia and has already committed to the next edition of Indoor Ag-Con. For more information, growers can visit bio520usa.com.
“The indoor ag industry needs to get more efficient across the board,” said McClure. “We’re just trying to be a small part of that improvement.”
