Key Takeaways:
- Solis Agrosciences has appointed Crystal Winkeler as Chief Business Officer, effective May 1, to lead the company’s commercial strategy and business development efforts.
- Winkeler brings extensive experience from BioGenerator Ventures and Canopy Biosciences, where she held leadership roles in investment, operations, and commercialization.
- Her background includes co-founding and scaling companies, leading international teams, and working with startups in agriculture, life sciences, and molecular biology.
- Winkeler’s hiring follows a period of growth for Solis, including the launch of new services, strategic acquisitions, and an expanded investor base.
- Solis continues to serve a broad spectrum of AgTech clients, from startups to global companies, with expertise in plant transformation, gene editing, and genome sequencing.
Solis Agrosciences Expands Executive Team with Appointment of Chief Business Officer
Solis Agrosciences, a provider of contract research services for agricultural biotechnology, has announced that Crystal Winkeler will join the company as Chief Business Officer. Winkeler, who begins her role on May 1, 2025, will lead the commercial team and support the company’s strategic growth initiatives.
“We are thrilled to welcome Crystal to Solis,” said Charlie Bolten, CEO of Solis Agrosciences. “She is a proven talent who is confident, capable, and credible in front of customers and stakeholders. Her leadership will be instrumental in driving our commercial expansion.”
Extensive Leadership Experience Across AgTech and Biotech Sectors
From Venture Investment to Operational Scale-Up
Winkeler joins Solis from BioGenerator Ventures, where she served as Managing Director, leading early-stage investments and supporting the growth of several startups across agriculture and life sciences. Her portfolio work included companies such as Panome Bio, RevivBio, and Pairidex, where she contributed to strategy, governance, and commercial development.
Earlier, she was Chief Operating Officer and VP of R&D at Canopy Biosciences, which was acquired by Bruker and now operates as Bruker Spatial Biology. At Canopy, she played a central role in fundraising, licensing, product development, and scaling operations across international sites.
“Crystal possesses a rare combination of scientific depth with the ability to build meaningful business relationships,” said Edward Weinstein, CEO of Panome Bio.
Building on Recent Momentum at Solis Agrosciences
Strategic Growth Through Talent, Technology, and Investment
The appointment comes as Solis Agrosciences continues to expand its services and capabilities. Recent developments include:
- Licensing of the Pairwise Fulcrum™ Platform
- Acquisition of Ferris Genomics, entering the whole-genome sequencing market
- Increased investment from Cultivation Capital and other institutional backers
- Significant sales growth and new customer acquisition
Solis Agrosciences Investor and Industry Support for Continued Expansion
Solis is backed by a group of institutional and individual investors, including Hermann Companies, Saloniki Investments, BioGenerator Ventures, QRM Capital, St. Louis Arch Angels, and others. With Winkeler’s appointment, Solis aims to further expand its commercial footprint and develop new offerings that align with the evolving demands of agricultural innovation.
“I am thrilled to join the business at this important growth stage,” said Winkeler. “Solis has assembled an impressive team, offerings, and customer base, and I look forward to contributing to its next phase of growth.”
