Cavallo Ventures

Cavallo Ventures is the corporate venture arm of Wilbur-Ellis Holdings, based in San Francisco. It invests its own capital in early-stage ventures across livestock feed, pet nutrition, aquafeed, and related ingredients and formulation, including cosmetics and nutrition products for humans and animals. The firm looks for innovative solutions in areas such as water management, irrigation, soil biology, and resource conservation, and supports startups advancing agricultural and ecological sustainability. By partnering with entrepreneurs, Cavallo Ventures aims to accelerate commercialization of scalable technologies that align with Wilbur-Ellis’ core feed, nutrition, and agrochemical interests.

Matt Miller

Associate

Brett Morris

Managing Director

Amar Singh

Director

Son V.

Managing Director

Michael Wilbur

Founding Member and President

49 past transactions

Agtonomy

Series A in 2024
Agtonomy develops a hybrid autonomous and tele-assist platform for agriculture. It transforms tractors and farm machines into autonomous or remote-controlled equipment, addressing labor scarcity and sustainability issues faced by farmers.

AgroSpheres

Series B in 2024
AgroSpheres, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, that specializes in innovative pesticide delivery technologies for the agriculture industry. Founded in 2016, AgroSpheres develops engineered bio-particles designed to deliver pesticide-degrading enzymes, which help to minimize waiting periods between pesticide application and harvest. The company employs a unique platform technology that enhances the performance of various crop protection products, including fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. By utilizing bioengineering and industrial fermentation techniques, AgroSpheres creates biodegradable encapsulation solutions that aim to reduce harmful pesticide residues on plants, ultimately promoting healthier agricultural practices and improving the overall well-being of crops.

Solasta Bio

Series A in 2024
Solasta Bio develops environmentally friendly biological pesticides and insect control products. Its portfolio includes neuropeptide-based solutions that effectively manage resistant pests, enabling farmers to enhance crop production sustainably.

Kuehnle Agrosystems

Series A in 2024
Kuehnle Agrosystems, Inc. is a biotechnology company specializing in the development and production of specialty chemicals and raw materials derived from microalgae. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, the company focuses on creating biologically active compounds for various applications. Its product range serves the personal care industry, including cosmetics, skin care, and dietary supplements, as well as agriculture and aquaculture sectors, offering solutions such as feed additives, crop protectants, and quality control products. Kuehnle Agrosystems collaborates with multinational corporations to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions across these diverse markets.

AgroSpheres

Series B in 2023
AgroSpheres, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, that specializes in innovative pesticide delivery technologies for the agriculture industry. Founded in 2016, AgroSpheres develops engineered bio-particles designed to deliver pesticide-degrading enzymes, which help to minimize waiting periods between pesticide application and harvest. The company employs a unique platform technology that enhances the performance of various crop protection products, including fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. By utilizing bioengineering and industrial fermentation techniques, AgroSpheres creates biodegradable encapsulation solutions that aim to reduce harmful pesticide residues on plants, ultimately promoting healthier agricultural practices and improving the overall well-being of crops.

Talus Renewables

Series A in 2023
Talus Renewables offers new pathways to chemicals, fertilizers, and fuels with its green ammonia production technology.

Debut

Series B in 2023
Debut Biotechnology, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, established in 2019. It specializes in biomanufacturing solutions for high-value molecules, focusing on the development of specialty enzyme solutions and continuous manufacturing processes. The company offers a range of services, including biomanufacturing cartridges, fermentation, and the immobilization of cells and enzymes. Debut Biotechnology is dedicated to creating novel immobilization techniques for enzymes, achieving high success rates and providing immobilized enzymes for continuous manufacturing systems. Its innovative approach enables the production and modification of small and large molecules, catering primarily to the pharmaceutical and specialty chemical industries. By harnessing natural enzyme technologies, Debut aims to deliver sustainable and cost-effective ingredient solutions to its clients.

Solasta Bio

Seed Round in 2023
Solasta Bio develops environmentally friendly biological pesticides and insect control products. Its portfolio includes neuropeptide-based solutions that effectively manage resistant pests, enabling farmers to enhance crop production sustainably.

Windfall Bio

Seed Round in 2023
Windfall Bio is an innovative company based in San Mateo, California, that addresses climate change by transforming harmful methane emissions into organic fertilizer. Established in 2022, the company utilizes methane-eating microbes to capture methane from various sources, including agriculture, oil and gas, and waste management. This nature-based technology not only reduces the methane footprint of these industries but also improves their operational efficiency and profitability while minimizing the negative environmental impacts associated with synthetic fertilizers. By providing farmers and other producers with the means to convert methane into valuable soil nutrients, Windfall Bio fosters a sustainable agricultural future and contributes positively to environmental conservation. The company is backed by prominent venture capital firms, reflecting its potential to make a significant impact in the fight against climate change.

Andes

Series A in 2023
Andes Ag, Inc., founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, specializes in developing microbe-based seed technologies aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture. The company leverages beneficial microbes that have naturally co-evolved with plants over millennia. Through scientific research and advanced predictive software powered by artificial intelligence, Andes creates customized microbe-based formulations designed to enhance crop yields, accelerate growth, and enable cultivation in traditionally unsuitable lands. These solutions also aim to reduce the reliance on fertilizers and pesticides, helping farmers address the challenges posed by global climate change. Andes is positioned to contribute significantly to a new green revolution, fostering responsible and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Sound Agriculture

Series D in 2022
Founded in 2013, Sound Agriculture develops crop enhancement products using molecular discovery. Their solutions aim to increase harvest yields, enhance water efficiency, and improve crop resilience to climate change.

Verdant Robotics

Series A in 2022
Verdant Robotics, Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Hayward, California, specializes in artificial intelligence-driven robotic solutions for agriculture. The company develops advanced technologies that enable farmers to digitally map their fields and monitor each plant's health over time. Verdant's flagship product, the Model B Smart Sprayer, significantly reduces labor costs by over 50% and input costs by up to 96% while providing precise weeding and thinning for various crop types. Utilizing proprietary Bullseye targeting technology and a Pinpoint Spray System, Verdant promotes micro-fertilization and nutrient delivery, enhancing crop yields and efficiency. By leveraging robotics, computer vision, and machine learning, Verdant Robotics empowers growers of all sizes to optimize production and improve profitability in the agricultural sector.

Vow

Series A in 2022
Vow Foods is a company that specializes in producing cultivated exotic meat through lab-based methods. By utilizing animal cells rather than traditional livestock, Vow aims to create sustainable and ethical meat alternatives. The process involves harvesting animal cells via biopsy and growing them in a nutrient-rich medium, which allows for the development of a diverse range of meat products. This innovative approach not only provides consumers, restaurants, and chefs with nutritious and flavorful options but also reduces reliance on natural resources typically used in conventional meat production.

Lithos Carbon

Seed Round in 2022
Lithos Carbon is an agricultural carbon removal company focused on developing innovative carbon capture technology for farms. Founded in March 2022 by experienced entrepreneurs and experts in atmospheric geochemistry, the company aims to transform farmland into carbon capture centers, with a goal of removing one billion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere within this decade. Lithos Carbon's technology employs isotope dilution methods and advanced soil models, utilizing mineral weathering techniques that involve spreading basalt on croplands to enhance dissolved inorganic carbon and facilitate long-term storage as ocean carbonates. Their approach not only promotes significant carbon dioxide removal but also enhances crop yields and improves soil conditions. The company's solutions are custom-designed for specific fields and crops, ensuring immediate scalability and empirical effectiveness.

AgroSpheres

Series B in 2022
AgroSpheres, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, that specializes in innovative pesticide delivery technologies for the agriculture industry. Founded in 2016, AgroSpheres develops engineered bio-particles designed to deliver pesticide-degrading enzymes, which help to minimize waiting periods between pesticide application and harvest. The company employs a unique platform technology that enhances the performance of various crop protection products, including fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. By utilizing bioengineering and industrial fermentation techniques, AgroSpheres creates biodegradable encapsulation solutions that aim to reduce harmful pesticide residues on plants, ultimately promoting healthier agricultural practices and improving the overall well-being of crops.

microTERRA

Seed Round in 2022
microTERRA harnesses Lemna, an aquatic plant with water-cleaning capabilities, to produce sustainable functional ingredients for the food industry. Its flagship product, Flora, enhances sweetness perception while reducing sugar and masking unwanted notes from high-intensity sweeteners.

Agtonomy

Seed Round in 2022
Agtonomy develops a hybrid autonomous and tele-assist platform for agriculture. It transforms tractors and farm machines into autonomous or remote-controlled equipment, addressing labor scarcity and sustainability issues faced by farmers.

Vestaron Corporation

Series C in 2022
Vestaron develops and manufactures peptide-based biologic crop protection products. Its offerings include Spear-T for thrips control in greenhouses, Spear-Lep for fruits and vegetables, and Leprotec for field use. Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina with a research center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Vestaron aims to provide growers with effective, safe, and sustainable biopesticides.

Bond Pet Foods

Venture Round in 2022
Founded in 2015, Bond Pet Foods produces sustainable pet food using biotechnology. It creates animal protein through fermentation without slaughtering animals, meeting the nutritional requirements of companion pets.

FarmWise

Series B in 2022
FarmWise, established in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, specializes in developing and manufacturing robotic machinery for agriculture. The company's primary product is a mechanical weeder, designed to track and remove weeds in vegetable crops, enhancing farm efficiency and reducing herbicide usage. FarmWise also offers comprehensive training and support to ensure optimal use of its technology.

Vestaron Corporation

Series C in 2022
Vestaron develops and manufactures peptide-based biologic crop protection products. Its offerings include Spear-T for thrips control in greenhouses, Spear-Lep for fruits and vegetables, and Leprotec for field use. Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina with a research center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Vestaron aims to provide growers with effective, safe, and sustainable biopesticides.

Koidra

Seed Round in 2022
Koidra offers a digital decision platform for controlled farms and plants. It monitors operational data, provides smart alerts, and automates control decisions, enhancing efficiency in agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

ZymoChem

Seed Round in 2021
Founded in 2013, ZymoChem develops eco-friendly chemical production processes using engineered microbes. These processes convert renewable feedstocks like sugars into industrial chemicals, minimizing carbon loss and enabling cost-competitive bio-based manufacturing.

Smartwyre

Series A in 2021
Founded in 2018, Smartwyre is a Denver-based company that develops software for the agriculture industry. Its platform enables real-time product, pricing, and rebate data sharing among farm input distributors, retailers, and manufacturers, driving profitability.

Sound Agriculture

Series C in 2021
Founded in 2013, Sound Agriculture develops crop enhancement products using molecular discovery. Their solutions aim to increase harvest yields, enhance water efficiency, and improve crop resilience to climate change.

Beta Hatch

Venture Round in 2021
Beta Hatch Inc. specializes in the production of insect protein primarily for animal feed and also produces nutrient-balanced fertilizers as a by-product of its operations. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Cashmere, Washington, the company focuses on farming mealworms and utilizes rearing technology that converts organic waste, such as spent brewery grains, into high-quality insect feed. In addition to animal feed, Beta Hatch explores the potential applications of insect exoskeletons in bioplastics and pharmaceuticals. With a commitment to sustainable practices, the company aims to create a zero-waste system while addressing the growing global demand for efficient agricultural solutions. Beta Hatch serves a diverse clientele, including farmers, ranchers, and researchers, leveraging its expertise in entomology to promote the use of insects as a viable commodity crop in food and fertilizer applications.

Andes

Series A in 2021
Andes Ag, Inc., founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, specializes in developing microbe-based seed technologies aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture. The company leverages beneficial microbes that have naturally co-evolved with plants over millennia. Through scientific research and advanced predictive software powered by artificial intelligence, Andes creates customized microbe-based formulations designed to enhance crop yields, accelerate growth, and enable cultivation in traditionally unsuitable lands. These solutions also aim to reduce the reliance on fertilizers and pesticides, helping farmers address the challenges posed by global climate change. Andes is positioned to contribute significantly to a new green revolution, fostering responsible and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Guardian Agriculture

Seed Round in 2021
Guardian Agriculture specializes in developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) systems for precision crop application. Their automated, electric aerial systems enable farmers to reach areas previously inaccessible, reduce environmental impact, minimize product resistance, and optimize chemical use for sustainable farming.

SomaDetect

Series A in 2021
SomaDetect Inc. is an agricultural technology company based in Fredericton, Canada, founded in 2016. The company specializes in providing dairy farmers with real-time analytics of milk components through advanced sensor technology. SomaDetect's innovative system measures critical indicators such as fat content and somatic cell counts in raw milk during each milking session. By offering automated and chemical-free analysis, the company empowers farmers to identify potential issues early, manage herd health effectively, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and ensure high-quality milk is delivered to bulk supplies. With a focus on leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence, SomaDetect aims to enhance decision-making for dairy farmers, ultimately improving the quality of milk production.

Vestaron Corporation

Series B in 2021
Vestaron develops and manufactures peptide-based biologic crop protection products. Its offerings include Spear-T for thrips control in greenhouses, Spear-Lep for fruits and vegetables, and Leprotec for field use. Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina with a research center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Vestaron aims to provide growers with effective, safe, and sustainable biopesticides.

Sabanto

Convertible Note in 2020
Sabanto is a company that offers a Farming-as-a-Service solution aimed at enhancing autonomy in agricultural machinery. It specializes in low-cost retrofitting of existing agricultural equipment, irrespective of brand or model, and develops software that supports the functionality of autonomous technology. This approach not only improves the utility of farming equipment but also aims to increase the return on investment for producers. Sabanto's technology facilitates comprehensive agricultural services through a supervised autonomous equipment platform, allowing farmers to monitor and operate their operations efficiently from a centralized location. By focusing on simple and cost-effective innovations, Sabanto is dedicated to advancing the future of agriculture.

Beta Hatch

Series A in 2020
Beta Hatch Inc. specializes in the production of insect protein primarily for animal feed and also produces nutrient-balanced fertilizers as a by-product of its operations. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Cashmere, Washington, the company focuses on farming mealworms and utilizes rearing technology that converts organic waste, such as spent brewery grains, into high-quality insect feed. In addition to animal feed, Beta Hatch explores the potential applications of insect exoskeletons in bioplastics and pharmaceuticals. With a commitment to sustainable practices, the company aims to create a zero-waste system while addressing the growing global demand for efficient agricultural solutions. Beta Hatch serves a diverse clientele, including farmers, ranchers, and researchers, leveraging its expertise in entomology to promote the use of insects as a viable commodity crop in food and fertilizer applications.

Ascus Biosciences

Series B in 2020
Ascus Biosciences, established in 2015 and based in San Diego, California, specializes in developing a computational and genomics-based technology platform. This platform enables the discovery and development of next-generation microbial products.

Beta Hatch

Series A in 2020
Beta Hatch Inc. specializes in the production of insect protein primarily for animal feed and also produces nutrient-balanced fertilizers as a by-product of its operations. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Cashmere, Washington, the company focuses on farming mealworms and utilizes rearing technology that converts organic waste, such as spent brewery grains, into high-quality insect feed. In addition to animal feed, Beta Hatch explores the potential applications of insect exoskeletons in bioplastics and pharmaceuticals. With a commitment to sustainable practices, the company aims to create a zero-waste system while addressing the growing global demand for efficient agricultural solutions. Beta Hatch serves a diverse clientele, including farmers, ranchers, and researchers, leveraging its expertise in entomology to promote the use of insects as a viable commodity crop in food and fertilizer applications.

Sound Agriculture

Series C in 2020
Founded in 2013, Sound Agriculture develops crop enhancement products using molecular discovery. Their solutions aim to increase harvest yields, enhance water efficiency, and improve crop resilience to climate change.

Checkerspot

Series B in 2020
Checkerspot, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Berkeley, California, founded in 2016. It specializes in the development of sustainable performance materials derived from microalgae and biobased oils. The company focuses on innovating materials at a molecular level, utilizing its expertise in molecular foundry, chemistry, material science, and fabrication technology. Checkerspot aims to expand the range of molecular building blocks available for high-performance materials, particularly in industrial applications such as polyurethanes and textile finishes. Through its pioneering approach, Checkerspot contributes to the advancement of sustainable materials in various industries.

Crop Enhancement

Series B in 2020
Crop Enhancement LLC is an early-stage specialty materials company based in San Jose, California, founded in 2011. The company focuses on developing innovative anchoring and controlled-release formulation technologies for agricultural chemicals. Its advanced agrochemical formulations utilize environmentally friendly chemistry to enhance crop yields and profitability while minimizing the reliance on synthetic pesticides. Crop Enhancement's products include proprietary films that modify plant surfaces, improving resistance to pests and diseases. This approach not only supports sustainable farming practices but also enables precise delivery of active ingredients and fertilizers, ultimately benefiting growers through increased efficiency and reduced chemical use.

FieldIn

Series A in 2019
FieldIn is a technology company that provides a data platform designed to enhance agricultural operations. It combines innovative hardware, an array of sensors, and data science analytics to deliver real-time insights into farming activities. By automatically recording field data and tracking spray operations, FieldIn enables farmers and stakeholders to improve operational efficiency and reduce errors in pest control processes. The platform offers practical tools that enhance transparency, traceability, and collaboration among farm professionals. Through its integrative solution, FieldIn helps clients adapt to changing pest resistance, significantly improve crop yields, and reduce operational costs, ultimately supporting the goal of cultivating smarter and more effective farms.

AgroSpheres

Series A in 2019
AgroSpheres, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, that specializes in innovative pesticide delivery technologies for the agriculture industry. Founded in 2016, AgroSpheres develops engineered bio-particles designed to deliver pesticide-degrading enzymes, which help to minimize waiting periods between pesticide application and harvest. The company employs a unique platform technology that enhances the performance of various crop protection products, including fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. By utilizing bioengineering and industrial fermentation techniques, AgroSpheres creates biodegradable encapsulation solutions that aim to reduce harmful pesticide residues on plants, ultimately promoting healthier agricultural practices and improving the overall well-being of crops.

SomaDetect

Seed Round in 2019
SomaDetect Inc. is an agricultural technology company based in Fredericton, Canada, founded in 2016. The company specializes in providing dairy farmers with real-time analytics of milk components through advanced sensor technology. SomaDetect's innovative system measures critical indicators such as fat content and somatic cell counts in raw milk during each milking session. By offering automated and chemical-free analysis, the company empowers farmers to identify potential issues early, manage herd health effectively, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and ensure high-quality milk is delivered to bulk supplies. With a focus on leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence, SomaDetect aims to enhance decision-making for dairy farmers, ultimately improving the quality of milk production.

Sabanto

Seed Round in 2019
Sabanto is a company that offers a Farming-as-a-Service solution aimed at enhancing autonomy in agricultural machinery. It specializes in low-cost retrofitting of existing agricultural equipment, irrespective of brand or model, and develops software that supports the functionality of autonomous technology. This approach not only improves the utility of farming equipment but also aims to increase the return on investment for producers. Sabanto's technology facilitates comprehensive agricultural services through a supervised autonomous equipment platform, allowing farmers to monitor and operate their operations efficiently from a centralized location. By focusing on simple and cost-effective innovations, Sabanto is dedicated to advancing the future of agriculture.

Smartwyre

Seed Round in 2019
Founded in 2018, Smartwyre is a Denver-based company that develops software for the agriculture industry. Its platform enables real-time product, pricing, and rebate data sharing among farm input distributors, retailers, and manufacturers, driving profitability.

Performance Livestock Analytics

Venture Round in 2019
Performance Livestock Analytics, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing farm management information systems tailored for the livestock industry. Founded in 2016 and based in Ames, Iowa, the company utilizes cloud-based technologies to integrate on-farm data with advanced analytics, offering a comprehensive platform for livestock producers. The services provided include daily management of on-farm data, benchmarking analytics, and tools for monitoring performance. A notable product is the Bluetooth Smart scale device, which automates feed delivery processes and helps producers accurately track feed usage and expenses. The platform facilitates real-time access to data and connects producers with trusted advisors, enhancing decision-making related to performance and financial management. By leveraging big data and software analytics, Performance Livestock Analytics aims to improve sustainability and profitability for livestock operations. As of April 2020, it operates as a subsidiary of Zoetis Inc.

Crop Enhancement

Venture Round in 2019
Crop Enhancement LLC is an early-stage specialty materials company based in San Jose, California, founded in 2011. The company focuses on developing innovative anchoring and controlled-release formulation technologies for agricultural chemicals. Its advanced agrochemical formulations utilize environmentally friendly chemistry to enhance crop yields and profitability while minimizing the reliance on synthetic pesticides. Crop Enhancement's products include proprietary films that modify plant surfaces, improving resistance to pests and diseases. This approach not only supports sustainable farming practices but also enables precise delivery of active ingredients and fertilizers, ultimately benefiting growers through increased efficiency and reduced chemical use.

Geltor

Series A in 2018
Geltor designs and produces animal-free collagen and other bioactive proteins for beauty, wellness, and nutrition applications. Founded in 2015, the company uses proprietary AI to create customized proteins tailored to specific industry needs.

Beta Hatch

Seed Round in 2018
Beta Hatch Inc. specializes in the production of insect protein primarily for animal feed and also produces nutrient-balanced fertilizers as a by-product of its operations. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Cashmere, Washington, the company focuses on farming mealworms and utilizes rearing technology that converts organic waste, such as spent brewery grains, into high-quality insect feed. In addition to animal feed, Beta Hatch explores the potential applications of insect exoskeletons in bioplastics and pharmaceuticals. With a commitment to sustainable practices, the company aims to create a zero-waste system while addressing the growing global demand for efficient agricultural solutions. Beta Hatch serves a diverse clientele, including farmers, ranchers, and researchers, leveraging its expertise in entomology to promote the use of insects as a viable commodity crop in food and fertilizer applications.

Sound Agriculture

Series B in 2017
Founded in 2013, Sound Agriculture develops crop enhancement products using molecular discovery. Their solutions aim to increase harvest yields, enhance water efficiency, and improve crop resilience to climate change.

Bountiful

Seed Round in 2017
Bountiful is an agtech company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing a platform that offers yield forecasting and actionable information for farmers. The company's tools provide real-time analytics and yield forecasts at various levels, from country to field-specific data, months before harvest. Bountiful utilizes machine learning along with weather, satellite, geographic, and historical data to deliver precise insights, helping farmers understand factors impacting crop production. Additionally, Bountiful Marketplace allows farmers to sell their products directly to vetted buyers through multi-year contracts based on unique forecasts. The company's technologies include crop classification via satellite imagery and hyper-localized weather modeling techniques, aiming to enhance agricultural sustainability and profitability.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.