Key Takeaways:
- Switch Bioworks raises $17 million in Series Seed funding, led by Change Forces Capital.
- The company is developing nitrogen-fixing microbes to replace traditional, fossil-fuel-based fertilizers.
- The technology aims to reduce carbon emissions and costs for farmers.
- Funds will support product development, including scale-up and field trials of a carbon-neutral biofertilizer.
Switch Bioworks, a biotechnology company focused on sustainable agricultural solutions, announced it has raised $17 million in Series Seed financing. The round was led by Change Forces Capital, with participation from the Grantham Foundation, Astanor Ventures, Acre Venture Partners, Anthos Capital, Thia Ventures, Emerson Collective, and the farmer-led Ag Ventures Alliance.
This funding is expected to accelerate the development of Switch Bioworks’ first product, a carbon-neutral biofertilizer that uses nitrogen-fixing microbes as a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers.
Addressing Challenges with Conventional Fertilizers
Switch Bioworks is developing microbes that can fix nitrogen, reducing the need for traditional fertilizers. The company’s innovation lies in engineering microbes to first establish themselves on plant roots before producing nitrogen. This “switchable” approach helps the microbes compete with native organisms in the soil, allowing them to produce meaningful amounts of nitrogen over the growing season.
CEO Dr. Tim Schnabel explained the challenge, stating, “Making nitrogen fertilizer with biology has been a scientific goal for 50 years, but the energy required has limited the effectiveness of biofertilizers. Our switchable approach allows microbes to overcome this challenge.”
Development and Expansion
Switch Bioworks is focusing on creating a microbial consortium where each member releases nitrogen under precise genetic control. The product will be applied at planting and is expected to integrate with existing farming practices. According to the company, the biofertilizer will cost less than conventional fertilizers, potentially offering savings for farmers.
Beyond nitrogen, Switch Bioworks has developed a modular platform for precision-engineered biological products, expanding the scope of its technology to other areas of agriculture. The company is pursuing collaborations within the agriculture and biotech industries to further develop and commercialize its platform.
Funding and Next Steps
Including a pre-Seed round in 2022 and grants from organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Switch Bioworks has secured over $25 million to date. The newly raised capital will be used to complete the development of its nitrogen-fixing biofertilizer, scale up fermentation processes, and conduct greenhouse and field trials both in the U.S. and internationally.
This latest round of funding is expected to bring the company closer to launching its first product, contributing to ongoing efforts to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint.
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