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§ Private Profile · Charlottesville, VA, USA
Agricultural biotechnology company developing crop protection products using its AgriCell platform for sustainable chemical delivery.
Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, AgroSpheres is an agricultural biotechnology company that develops proprietary bioprocessing and delivery technologies to improve the efficacy and environmental sustainability of crop protection products. The organization utilizes its patented AgriCell platform to encapsulate and deliver biological and synthetic chemicals, holding 30 issued or pending patents globally. Operating with a workforce of nearly 30 employees, the enterprise generates revenue through strategic partnerships, licensing, and co-development agreements with major agricultural chemical manufacturers. AgroSpheres has raised over $37 million in total funding, including a $22 million Series B round backed by lead investors Lewis & Clark AgriFood, Ospraie Ag Science, and FMC Ventures. The company recently established a strategic collaboration with FMC Corporation to accelerate the commercialization of novel bioinsecticides. AgroSpheres was founded in 2016 by Payam Pourtaheri, Ameer Shakeel, and Dr. Mark Kester.
AgroSpheres has raised $47.8M across 3 funding rounds.
AgroSpheres has raised $47.8M in total across 3 funding rounds.
AgroSpheres has raised $47.8M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $25.0M Series B in December 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 4, 2023 | $25M Series B | Mark S. Brooks | Bidra Innovation Ventures, Cavallo Ventures, Lewis & Clark Agrifood, Carl Casale | Announced |
| Oct 25, 2022 | $22M Series B | Lawrence Page, Ospraie AG Science | Amar Singh, Cavallo Ventures | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2017 | $750K Seed | — | GE Ventures, Forest Baskett, Greg Papadopoulos, Jeff Immelt, Osage University Partners | Announced |
AgroSpheres has raised $47.8M in total across 3 funding rounds.
AgroSpheres's investors include Mark S. Brooks, Bidra Innovation Ventures, Cavallo Ventures, Lewis & Clark AgriFood, Carl Casale, Lawrence Page, Ospraie Ag Science, Amar Singh, GE Ventures, Forest Baskett, Greg Papadopoulos, Jeff Immelt.
AgroSpheres is a Charlottesville, Virginia-based agricultural biotechnology company developing biobased crop protection solutions through its proprietary AgriCell encapsulation platform.[2][5][6] The technology engineers microbes to produce and encapsulate biomolecules, plant extracts, and small molecules, enabling stable, targeted delivery of biological pesticides that match or exceed synthetic chemical efficacy while reducing environmental impact and dosage needs.[1][3][4][5] It serves farmers transitioning to sustainable practices, solving key problems like biopesticide instability from UV, heat, and degradation, which limits adoption despite their safety advantages.[1][3] Growth momentum includes $50 million in funding from investors like Bidra, FMC Ventures, and Ospraie Ag Science; OMRI listing for organic use; and 2025 TIME Magazine recognition as a top global and U.S. GreenTech company based on innovation, financial strength, and environmental impact.[2][4][5][6]
The platform supports biofungicides targeting diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew in fruits and vegetables, with first products aimed for market by late 2024, alongside a plant health program for yield enhancement and drought tolerance.[3][5] By halving spray volumes via adhesive encapsulation and using waste glycerine in zero-waste fermentation, AgroSpheres cuts costs and chemical inputs without yield loss.[1][5]
AgroSpheres publicly launched in 2017, founded by Payam Pourtaheri (CEO and COO) and Ameer Shakeel (CTO), both with expertise in biotech and agriculture.[5] The idea emerged from initial work on microbial technology to degrade organophosphate pesticides, but the team pivoted after realizing farmers sought preventive biobased alternatives over cleanup solutions.[5] Starting humbly in Charlottesville, the company incubated at the University of Virginia Darden School's i.Lab, gaining funding, mentorship, and resources to refine its end-to-end platform for manufacturing, encapsulating, and delivering biological actives.[2]
Early traction built through proprietary AgriCell (microbially-derived minicells) and AgriShell technologies, securing SBIR grants and a strong IP portfolio.[2][8] Pivotal moments include 2023 OMRI certification for organic compliance and 2025 TIME accolades, validating rapid progress toward commercialization.[2][4][6]
AgroSpheres rides the sustainable agriculture trend, bridging chemical pesticides to biologicals amid grower hesitancy over biopesticide inconsistency and regulatory pushes for reduced synthetics.[1][3] Timing aligns with global demands for greener crop protection—enhancing stability against heat/UV pressures positions it at a "junction" for sustainable transitions without yield tradeoffs.[3] Market forces like organic premium pricing, biodiversity regulations, and climate-resilient farming favor its reduced-dose, zero-waste model, influencing the ecosystem by enabling scalable biobased tools for fruits, vegetables, vineyards, and beyond.[4][5] As a GreenTech leader, it accelerates industry shift to nature-built solutions, potentially expanding to animal/human health.[2][5][6]
AgroSpheres is poised for 2025-2026 commercialization of biofungicides in high-value California/Oregon crops, scaling via $50M funding and partnerships to capture biopesticide market growth.[3][5] Trends like AI-driven agtech, climate adaptation, and organic expansion will amplify its platform, evolving influence toward dominant biobased provider with household extensions.[1][5] Watch for regulatory approvals and field trials solidifying its revolution in environmentally friendly delivery—transforming crop protection from reactive chemicals to proactive, nature-derived precision.[3][6]