Key Takeaways
- H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech, a global technology validation platform led by The Yield Lab Institute (YLI), has selected its inaugural cohort of seven startups developing biological solutions across pest control, nutrient delivery, invasive species management, and crop biostimulation; the program is funded by Breakthrough Energy Discovery.
- H.A.R.V.E.S.T. represents the next evolution of the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator’s (IN2) agtech program, which invested $55 million, supported 77 startups, catalyzed more than $3 billion in follow-on funding, generated 18 exits, and achieved a 136:1 leverage ratio over its lifespan.
- The seven cohort companies — Agragene, Impetus Agriculture, Invasive Species Corporation, NewLeaf Symbiotics, Pluton Biosciences, Prospect Growth, and SugaROx — were nominated through YLI’s network of 17 global ecosystem partners and evaluated by H.A.R.V.E.S.T.’s independent External Advisory Board.
- Technical validation will be conducted in partnership with the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) at NC State University and the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Innovate (UC ANR) program, with commercial support from Farmhand Ventures.
- Selected companies will participate in lab research, field trials, commercialization support, and ecosystem connections tailored to accelerate real-world deployment of their technologies across crops and geographies.
H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech Selects Seven Startups for Inaugural Biological Solutions Cohort
H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech, a global technology validation platform operated by The Yield Lab Institute (YLI), announced the selection of its inaugural cohort of seven startups working to advance biological solutions for agriculture. The companies were nominated through YLI’s network of 17 global ecosystem partners and selected following evaluation by H.A.R.V.E.S.T.’s independent External Advisory Board. The program builds on the legacy of the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) agtech initiative — a $55 million program that supported 77 startups, catalyzed more than $3 billion in follow-on investment, produced 18 exits, and achieved a 136:1 leverage ratio — while expanding its global reach and technical partnerships. Funding for the inaugural cohort comes from Breakthrough Energy Discovery.
“The launch of our first H.A.R.V.E.S.T. cohort marks an exciting new chapter for agtech innovation,” said Stephanie Regagnon, Executive Director of The Yield Lab Institute. “Through this new platform we are bringing together entrepreneurs, scientists, and industry leaders to accelerate the development of next-generation tools and technologies that farmers and food systems urgently need. This inaugural cohort focused on biological solutions reflects the extraordinary breadth of innovation emerging across agriculture today.”
NC State and UC ANR Provide Research Infrastructure for Technical Validation
A defining feature of H.A.R.V.E.S.T. is its integration with university research institutions. Cohort companies will collaborate with faculty, researchers, and facilities at the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) at NC State University and the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Innovate (UC ANR) program — conducting direct laboratory research and field trials to evaluate their technologies in real agricultural environments. Commercial ecosystem support is provided by Farmhand Ventures.
“The companies selected for the first H.A.R.V.E.S.T. cohort are pursuing technologies that show promise for solving some of the most pressing agricultural challenges our world is experiencing. We are excited about working with them to leverage our faculty’s broad and deep expertise, across an array of disciplines, to accelerate these solutions for a more secure and prosperous future,” said Adrian Percy, Ph.D., Executive Director of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative.
“UC ANR Innovate is excited to collaborate with H.A.R.V.E.S.T. to support innovative biological companies that may contribute to future solutions for California agriculture. Engaging UC ANR’s Research and Extension Centers and advisors adds strong expertise and practical knowledge to help move promising innovations forward,” said Helle Petersen, Interim Director, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Innovate.
H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech Inaugural Cohort: Seven Companies at a Glance
Agragene
Agragene is an agricultural biotechnology company developing sustainable pest control through its proprietary Precision-Guided Sterile Insect Technology™ (pgSIT). The platform uses CRISPR-based gene editing to produce sterile male insects, offering a cost-effective, non-synthetic alternative to conventional insecticides for growers.
Impetus Agriculture
Impetus Agriculture has developed two platforms that restore and enhance the effectiveness of Bt biopesticides, overcoming insect resistance and broadening the scope of biological insect control. The technology supports both topical spray applications and transgenic approaches for major row crops.
Invasive Species Corporation
Invasive Species Corporation develops bio-based solutions for controlling destructive invasive species across water, forestry, and agricultural systems. Its pipeline includes commercial products for invasive mussel and fish control and a bioherbicide platform targeting glyphosate-resistant weeds.
NewLeaf Symbiotics
NewLeaf Symbiotics is the pioneer and global leader in Pink-Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFMs) and related methanotroph technologies. The company has developed nine technologies across ten crops over the past decade, backed by more than 250 patents, delivering science-driven yield and sustainability outcomes for row and specialty crop growers.
Pluton Biosciences
Pluton Biosciences is developing a biological nutrient delivery pathway using sun-powered microbial systems that deliver agronomically relevant nitrogen and improve phosphorus availability. The platform is designed to integrate with existing agronomic practices, supporting crop resilience and reducing reliance on synthetic input supply chains.
Prospect Growth
Prospect Growth applies nanoscale material engineering to develop more efficient fertilizer formulations, aiming to improve farm profitability and reduce nutrient inputs. The company is targeting a segment of the industry where most commercial fertilizer formulations have seen little technological advancement in decades.
SugaROx
SugaROx develops next-generation biostimulants based on caged bioactivators that regulate metabolic pathways and stress responses within plant cells. Its lead product — a caged version of trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P), a natural sugar that inhibits a famine-signaling enzyme in plants — has demonstrated yield increases of up to 20% in wheat and drought-resilience benefits across multiple crops in field trials.
