Key Takeaways
- Seed2Grow, launched by the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI), is marking its first graduation from the ag tech incubator.
- The program is also launching a 12-week entrepreneurship workshop series to strengthen the innovation pipeline.
- Hoofprint Biome will be the first company to graduate after raising $15 million to scale its methane-reducing cattle feed additive.
- The program has grown to include eight startups, with new opportunities for student competitions and professional development.
- With support from Bayer Crop Science, Seed2Grow will open incubator space to startups beyond NC State ties.
North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative’s Seed2Grow Mission and Growth
The North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative’s Seed2Grow program is reaching two milestones: the graduation of its first startup, Hoofprint Biome, and the introduction of a new 12-week Growing Agriculture Technology Entrepreneurship (GATE) workshop series.
Seed2Grow was established a year ago to help ensure NC State University discoveries reach farmers and consumers. It offers startups access to the Plant Sciences Building’s labs and facilities, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and guidance on business development.
Kathleen Denya, N.C. PSI’s Director of Innovation Partnerships, explained the program’s purpose: “The university has great channels for help with patenting and licensing innovations and helping startup companies launch and grow. We wanted to build a pool of knowledge and resources specifically geared toward ag tech. Ag tech startups have different needs than startups in other industries, and it often takes them longer to get technologies to market.”
First Graduation: Hoofprint Biome
Hoofprint Biome, one of the first companies to join the Seed2Grow incubator, will graduate from the program after raising more than $15 million to scale its enzyme-based feed additive designed to reduce methane emissions in cattle.
Co-founder Kathryn Polkoff reflected on the company’s time in the incubator: “We’re incredibly grateful for the support and sense of community we’ve experienced with the N.C. PSI — it’s played a key role in helping us grow quickly and thoughtfully. Even as we move into our own space, we’re looking forward to staying closely connected with the PSI and broader NC State community. It’s a special ecosystem, and we’re proud to have grown out of it.”
Their departure will make space for other ag tech startups to join the incubator.
North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative’s Seed2Grow: Expanding Opportunities for Startups
Seed2Grow has grown to eight member companies working on innovations ranging from crop stress sensors (Verdia Diagnostics) to seed coatings (Soteria Formulations) and plant-based biotech (Elysia Bio). Several of these startups have earned recognition in state and national competitions.
Support from Bayer Crop Science is enabling the incubator to open to startups beyond NC State ties. One selected company will receive a “golden ticket” that includes lab space, equipment, and access to Bayer’s global innovation network.
Building a Supportive Network
Seed2Grow’s Commercialization Advisory Council has played a significant role by mentoring companies and sharing entrepreneurial expertise. Mark Brooks, a venture capital leader and NC State alumnus, said his involvement is about impact: “As an NC State alumnus, it is a great opportunity to give back. There are few industries more impactful to food security, global trade and planetary health than agriculture.”
Program participants have also emphasized the importance of this network. Zach Hetzler, CEO of Verdia Diagnostics, noted: “It’s great to be able to connect with experts who are in the ag tech space locally and to previous ag tech startup founders who’ve walked the walk, done this and know what it takes to be successful.”
Workshops and Student Engagement
Alongside incubator support, Seed2Grow fosters entrepreneurial skills within the NC State community. Graduate students Harry Erwin and Mabel Barreiro Carpio recently received $9,000 each through the Entrepreneurial Student Support Awards for projects ranging from nutrient-access products to poultry disease prevention.
The upcoming GATE program, beginning August 26, will offer sessions on business models, product-market fit, and funding, led by regional entrepreneurial leaders. It will conclude in November with a showcase, networking mixer, and pitch contest.
Looking Ahead For North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative’s Seed2Grow
Adrian Percy, Executive Director of N.C. PSI, highlighted the program’s broader impact: “We’ve helped several startups move to the next level, and at the same time, we’ve created curiosity and interest from other faculty and other students in entrepreneurship. What we can do is put in place steps and support mechanisms that give them the opportunity to move forward if they’re interested.”
Tahira Pirzada, CEO of Soteria Formulations, added a personal perspective: “Being part of NC State and the N.C. PSI has been the best thing that has happened to me as an entrepreneur. The entrepreneurial journey is unpredictable – it’s like a rollercoaster ride. To have somebody come in and raise your spirits and show you that they’re there for you, that means a lot.”
As Seed2Grow marks its first graduation and continues to expand, it signals the growing role of North Carolina in fostering agricultural technology innovation.
