Key Takeaways
- Symbiomics completes Series A funding with Corteva Catalyst as lead investor
- Partnership will focus on novel microbial discovery for crop health and yield improvement
- Company will expand development of genome-edited microbial solutions
- Additional funding came from existing investors including The Yield Lab Latam
- Brazil remains a key focus for growth in the biologicals segment
Symbiomics Closes Series A Round with Strategic Backing from Corteva
Symbiomics, a biotechnology company specializing in microbiome innovations for agriculture, has announced the successful close of its Series A funding round. The round was led by Corteva, Inc., through its innovation-focused Corteva Catalyst platform.
The funding supports ongoing development of microbial-based technologies designed to enhance crop resilience, health, and yields. According to the announcement, Corteva will collaborate with Symbiomics to leverage its genomics discovery platform for the identification and application of microbial strains with agronomic potential.
Focus on Microbial Solutions for Agriculture
Genomics and Gene Editing for Crop Inputs
Symbiomics is developing products based on the genome sequencing and gene editing of microbial strains. The company reports it has catalogued thousands of microbes, many of which were sourced from diverse environments in Brazil. These are being developed into applications for plant nutrition, biostimulants, and crop protection.
Rafael de Souza, co-founder and CEO of Symbiomics, noted the importance of the investment: “The investment from Corteva represents an important recognition of Symbiomics as a company committed to developing innovative technologies for agribusiness.”
He added that the partnership will help accelerate product development and strengthen the company’s sector positioning.
Corteva’s Role and Industry Context
Collaboration Through Corteva Catalyst
Tom Greene, senior director at Corteva and global lead for Corteva Catalyst, commented: “We’re excited about the potential for Symbiomics’ biologicals solutions to be a smart and sustainable choice for farmers who are challenged by diseases and pest pressures that impact crop health and yield.”
He noted that the investment supports Corteva’s broader goal of developing biological and naturally inspired agricultural solutions, which are gaining interest as complementary tools to synthetic inputs.
Support from Existing Investors and Market Outlook
In addition to Corteva, the funding round included participation from existing investors Arar Capital, Cazanga, MOV Investimentos, and The Yield Lab Latam. The new capital will support continued microbial discovery and advancement of genome-editing technologies, as well as efforts to accelerate commercialization through partnerships.
Brazil remains a strategic focus for both Symbiomics and Corteva, given its role as the world’s second-largest agricultural market and a fast-growing hub for biological crop inputs. According to CropLife Brazil, the biologicals market in the country grew by 15% during the 2023–2024 harvest season, reaching BRL 5 billion in sales.
Next Steps for Symbiomics
With its Series A round completed, Symbiomics plans to continue building its product pipeline, enhance its technology platform, and expand its reach through collaborations within the agribusiness ecosystem. The company’s activities align with global trends toward sustainable, data-driven agriculture and the use of biologicals as part of integrated crop management strategies.
