Key Takeaways
- Tahira Pirzada, CEO of Soteria Formulations, leads the company in developing advanced seed coatings and granules that improve the performance of chemical and biological crop protection products.
- The company’s technology builds on research funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which helped smallholder farmers in Africa increase yields with biodegradable seed wraps.
- Soteria is part of NC State’s Seed2Grow program, which supports plant science innovations moving from the lab to the marketplace.
- The company is currently validating products such as its pelleted formulation NexGran™ and new seed coatings, with support from NC State Extension and NCBiotech.
- Soteria aims to reduce pesticide use, improve environmental outcomes, and help manufacturers adapt to stricter global regulations.
Soteria Formulations: From Research to Entrepreneurship
The origins of Soteria Formulations trace back to nonprofit-funded research at NC State University. The project, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, developed low-cost, biodegradable wraps for seed yams. Farmers in seven African countries reported larger yields, higher-quality crops, and reduced pesticide use.
Building on that success, Pirzada and co-founders Richard Guenther, Charles Opperman, and Saad Khan launched Soteria Formulations to commercialize advanced delivery systems for pesticides and fertilizers.
“Our treatment improved the quality of crops by cutting down on pesticide load, using only 10% of commercial formulations while improving effectiveness,” Pirzada explained in an interview with North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiatives. “We realized a huge impact by recycling crop residue into vehicles that deliver exactly what plants need.”
Soteria Formulations’ Technology
Soteria develops biodegradable seed coatings and pelleted formulations that allow precise and extended release of active ingredients. The technology improves efficacy, reduces off-target losses, and minimizes environmental impact.
Today, 20% to 40% of crops are lost to pests, and up to 90% of applied agrochemicals miss their target, leading to soil and water contamination and pest resistance. Soteria’s solutions address these inefficiencies while helping manufacturers keep existing chemistries on the market.
“Our approach reduces the number of pesticide applications and helps agrochemical manufacturers meet environmental, social, and governance benchmarks,” Pirzada said.
Growth and Validation
Soteria is advancing several products, including NexGran™, a pelleted formulation under validation, and seed coating technologies tailored for different crops. The company is working with NC State Extension for greenhouse and field trials and has received support from NCBiotech for research and development.
Scaling production remains a priority. The company is partnering with manufacturers capable of producing one ton of pellets per hour, a step toward commercial readiness.
Seed2Grow Program and Entrepreneurial Support
Soteria is part of the NC Plant Sciences Initiative’s Seed2Grow program, which supports startups commercializing plant science research. Pirzada credits the program with providing essential mentorship and connections.
“Being part of NC State and the N.C. PSI has been the best thing that has happened to me as an entrepreneur,” she said. “Through Seed2Grow, we get consistent support, access to networks, and advice that keeps us moving forward. I do not think we would be able to survive without them.”
Looking Ahead
With recognition including a first-place finish in NC State’s VenturePack Challenge, Soteria is gaining traction as a platform technology company serving both chemical and biological manufacturers. Pirzada remains optimistic about the company’s ability to deliver global impact.
“We did it in Africa for eight years, and we’ll do it here,” she said. “Soteria is not just a business; it’s a cause that will benefit farmers, manufacturers, and consumers worldwide.”
