Monsanto Growth Ventures (MGV)

Monsanto Growth Ventures (MGV) is the venture capital group at Monsanto Company, a leading provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that enhance farm productivity and food quality. MGV aims to support early-stage companies by providing capital and leveraging Monsanto's agricultural expertise and resources. By fostering an innovation supply chain that includes researchers, entrepreneurs, and other venture capitalists, MGV helps small independent teams rapidly prototype innovations to bring solutions to the agricultural market. With a global reach, MGV has invested in and partnered with small companies worldwide, assisting them in navigating the challenges of product development and market entry. Through patient investment and access to field testing and market intelligence, MGV works to position products for success in the agriculture industry.

Darren Streiler

Venture Partner

27 past transactions

Layr

Series A in 2022
Layr employs AI and machine learning to pair businesses with suitable commercial insurance policies from top-rated carriers. Its user-friendly platform offers cash-flow-friendly payment options, easy policy updates, and expert broker assistance.

Mate Fertility

Venture Round in 2020
Mate Fertility is a technology-driven fertility clinic founded in 2020 and based in Los Angeles, California. The company aims to make parenthood more accessible by providing comprehensive fertility services at affordable prices. It operates a platform that connects patients to fertility clinics and offers telemedicine options for various treatments and therapies. By delivering end-to-end fertility services, Mate Fertility ensures that patients receive expert guidance and care throughout their fertility journey, making the process more comfortable and manageable.

AgBiome

Series C in 2018
AgBiome is a biotechnology company that develops biological products for agriculture by leveraging the plant-associated microbiome. It identifies plant microbes with potential to improve plant health, pest resistance, and yields, using genomics and screening technologies. The company builds a microbial collection and operates a platform to discover ingredients for agriculturally relevant applications, including fungicides and other biologics that target soil-borne diseases, insects, and nematodes. Through partnerships with agricultural players, AgBiome accelerates discovery and global deployment of solutions. It is based in Durham, North Carolina, with a state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facility, and has a substantial research team.

Grão Direto

Seed Round in 2018
Grão Direto operates a Brazilian digital marketplace that connects grain buyers and producers for agricultural commodity trading. The platform supports spot, futures, and barter transactions and provides real-time price intelligence, contract automation, and document processing to help farmers and buyers optimize deals and streamline logistics. It serves cooperatives, traders, brokers, feed factories, and warehouses, and enhances market intelligence and decision-making while supporting related processes such as logistics and financial products.

Resson

Series C in 2018
Resson is a bioinformatics and data analytics company based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, specializing in customized agriculture solutions for large corporate clients. The company employs advanced technologies such as cloud-based data processing, swarm robotics, computer vision, and machine learning to enhance agricultural productivity. Its proprietary platform, the Resson Agricultural Management and Analytics System, analyzes crop metrics to assess the health and status of crops. By providing actionable insights derived from field data, Resson enables agricultural operators to optimize their operations, improve efficiency, increase yields, and maximize profitability.

Pairwise Plants

Series A in 2018
Pairwise Plants is an innovative agricultural company based in San Diego, California, focused on gene editing to enhance the quality of fruits and vegetables. Founded in 2017 by a team of experts in biotechnology and agriculture, Pairwise utilizes advanced techniques, including base editing and high-fidelity enzymes, which are licensed from renowned institutions such as Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital. The company develops new varieties of crops, including leafy greens, berries, and stone fruits, in addition to working with traditional crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and canola. By collaborating with food and agriculture organizations, Pairwise aims to create healthier and more sustainable produce, with initial products expected to be available in the coming years.

Atomwise

Series A in 2018
Atomwise, Inc. is a biotechnology company specializing in deep learning artificial intelligence technology for small molecule drug discovery. Based in San Francisco and founded in 2012, the company has developed AtomNet, a pioneering AI platform that facilitates virtual screening of molecules by predicting the binding of small molecules to proteins through a statistical analysis of experimental affinity measurements and protein structures. Atomwise is focused on addressing over 600 unique disease targets and has established collaborations with over 250 partners, including prominent pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. By leveraging its advanced technology, Atomwise aims to revolutionize the drug discovery process and advance a pipeline of small-molecule drug candidates into preclinical studies. The company was previously known as Chematria, Inc. and rebranded to Atomwise, Inc. in 2015.

NewLeaf Symbiotics

Series C in 2017
NewLeaf Symbiotics, Inc. is an agriculture technology company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of beneficial symbiotic bacteria aimed at enhancing plant health and increasing crop yields. The company focuses on naturally occurring bacteria, particularly pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs, which are utilized across various agricultural sectors, including row crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. NewLeaf Symbiotics conducts extensive laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials to validate the effectiveness of its products, providing farmers with sustainable solutions to combat plant diseases and improve agricultural productivity. Originally founded as TrophoMax, LLC in 2011, the company rebranded in July 2012 to better reflect its mission and objectives in the agricultural biotechnology space.

CoverCress

Venture Round in 2017
CoverCress Inc. specializes in developing and commercializing field pennycress as a sustainable oilseed crop for industrial oils and livestock feed. Founded in 2013, the company is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri.

FarmLead

Series A in 2017
FarmLead Resources Ltd. is a digital marketplace designed to enhance the buying and selling of grain, connecting farmers with verified buyers across North America. Founded in 2013 and based in Ottawa, Canada, the company operates in key agricultural regions including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Through its online platform and mobile application, FarmLead offers various services such as market research, grain testing, and price visibility, which help reduce brokerage fees and risks for farmers. The marketplace promotes efficiency, transparency, and equality within the grain industry, enabling farmers to negotiate better deals while allowing buyers to conveniently find the grain they need in their preferred locations.

Resson

Series B in 2016
Resson is a bioinformatics and data analytics company based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, specializing in customized agriculture solutions for large corporate clients. The company employs advanced technologies such as cloud-based data processing, swarm robotics, computer vision, and machine learning to enhance agricultural productivity. Its proprietary platform, the Resson Agricultural Management and Analytics System, analyzes crop metrics to assess the health and status of crops. By providing actionable insights derived from field data, Resson enables agricultural operators to optimize their operations, improve efficiency, increase yields, and maximize profitability.

Bioceres S.A.

Private Equity Round in 2016
Bioceres is an agricultural technology company that focuses on sustainable solutions in agriculture. The company promotes disruptive technologies across carbon neutrality, biomaterials, functional foods, and health and wellness. The company operates globally through subsidiaries and partnerships in biotechnology, molecular farming, metabolic engineering, and precision medicine.

Pivot Bio

Series A in 2016
Founded in 2010, Pivot Bio is a biotechnology company specializing in microbial nitrogen fertilizers. It harnesses naturally occurring microbes to provide nutrients to crops sustainably, aiming to reduce the need for petrochemical fertilizers and improve crop yield.

Understory

Series A in 2016
Understory, Inc. is a weather infrastructure and analytics company that specializes in real-time datasets and graphical representations of weather events, focusing on their impact at the earth's surface. Founded in 2012 and based in Madison, Wisconsin, Understory builds and operates networks of patented RTi weather stations capable of measuring weather conditions such as rain, hail, wind, temperature, and humidity with high precision. These stations transmit data wirelessly and operate maintenance-free, providing advanced analytics for insurance companies, property owners, and educational institutions. Understory's solutions include detailed reports on hail, wind, and precipitation events, enabling clients to better understand and manage weather-related risks. The company's innovative technology has the potential to transform global weather understanding and assist businesses in mitigating the financial impacts of climate change.

Blue River Technology

Series B in 2015
Blue River Technology develops computer vision and robotics for agriculture. The company creates intelligent machinery that can identify plants and selectively spray or thin them, reducing chemical use in farming. Its see-and-spray technology targets weeds and optimizes crop care, enabling operations that can support organic agriculture and fields with chemical-resistant weeds. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with additional offices in Salinas, California and Yuma, Arizona, the company focuses on automating decisions in field treatment through robotics to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Plant Response

Series A in 2015
Plant Response is a developer of agricultural technologies focused on enhancing plant health and growth through biological solutions. The company utilizes natural compounds to create products that improve plant immunity, increase tolerance to environmental stresses, and optimize nutrient use. By leveraging technology initially developed by researchers at the CBGP, Plant Response aims to address the challenges faced in modern agriculture and provide effective crop protection solutions. Their innovations are designed to meet the evolving needs of agricultural professionals globally, contributing to the restoration and advancement of the agricultural ecosystem.

AgBiome

Series B in 2015
AgBiome is a biotechnology company that develops biological products for agriculture by leveraging the plant-associated microbiome. It identifies plant microbes with potential to improve plant health, pest resistance, and yields, using genomics and screening technologies. The company builds a microbial collection and operates a platform to discover ingredients for agriculturally relevant applications, including fungicides and other biologics that target soil-borne diseases, insects, and nematodes. Through partnerships with agricultural players, AgBiome accelerates discovery and global deployment of solutions. It is based in Durham, North Carolina, with a state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facility, and has a substantial research team.

Translate Bio

Series B in 2015
Translate Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics aimed at addressing diseases linked to protein or gene dysfunction. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company is advancing its lead candidates, MRT5005 and MRT5201. MRT5005 is currently undergoing Phase I/II clinical trials for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, while MRT5201 is being developed for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. Translate Bio was previously known as RaNA Therapeutics, Inc. before rebranding in June 2017. The company specializes in innovative therapies for rare diseases, leveraging the potential of RNA-based medicine.

VitalFields

Series A in 2015
VitalFields is a digital agriculture company based in Tallinn, Estonia, established in 2011. The company specializes in developing farm management software that enables farmers to efficiently plan, manage, and analyze their field activities. Its platform simplifies the tracking and reporting of crop inputs, assisting farmers in maintaining compliance with European Union environmental standards. VitalFields operates in several European countries, providing essential tools for modern agricultural practices.

CoverCress

Series A in 2015
CoverCress Inc. specializes in developing and commercializing field pennycress as a sustainable oilseed crop for industrial oils and livestock feed. Founded in 2013, the company is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri.

HydroBio

Series A in 2015
HydroBio Inc. is an agricultural technology company that specializes in using satellite image-driven analytics to optimize water conservation and enhance crop yields. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with an additional location in Amarillo, Texas, HydroBio provides a Software as a Service solution that offers precise irrigation prescriptions by integrating satellite data, environmental variables, and pivot conditions. The company's platform includes a web-based decision support system that delivers irrigation prescriptions and relevant data to agricultural producers, agronomists, and research organizations. HydroBio's technology also facilitates the assessment of crop water needs, relative yield, and pest detection, making it a valuable resource for modern agriculture. As of May 2017, HydroBio operates as a subsidiary of The Climate Corporation.

Tbit

Seed Round in 2014
Tbit is an agTech company that uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to enhance quality assessment in agribusiness. The company develops and commercializes systems that enable detailed analysis and classification of seeds, grains, and related materials, helping clients optimize quality processes and reduce human error, speed up workflows, and improve standardization and reliability. Its technology focuses on evaluating small objects with high accuracy, delivering precise information that is challenging to obtain with conventional methods used in research labs or on farms. By automating quality inspections of seeds, grains, and seedlings, Tbit aims to improve performance in the agricultural supply chain.

AgBiome

Venture Round in 2014
AgBiome is a biotechnology company that develops biological products for agriculture by leveraging the plant-associated microbiome. It identifies plant microbes with potential to improve plant health, pest resistance, and yields, using genomics and screening technologies. The company builds a microbial collection and operates a platform to discover ingredients for agriculturally relevant applications, including fungicides and other biologics that target soil-borne diseases, insects, and nematodes. Through partnerships with agricultural players, AgBiome accelerates discovery and global deployment of solutions. It is based in Durham, North Carolina, with a state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facility, and has a substantial research team.

Pivot Bio

Seed Round in 2014
Founded in 2010, Pivot Bio is a biotechnology company specializing in microbial nitrogen fertilizers. It harnesses naturally occurring microbes to provide nutrients to crops sustainably, aiming to reduce the need for petrochemical fertilizers and improve crop yield.

AgSolver

Series A in 2014
AgSolver, Inc. is a technology company based in Ames, Iowa, that specializes in developing software and analytic systems for the agribusiness sector. Since its incorporation in 2014 and subsequent acquisition by EFC Systems in 2017, AgSolver has focused on providing tools that enhance decision-making for farmers and agribusiness professionals. Its product suite includes solutions such as MMP360, which automates manure management planning, and Profit Zone Manager, which identifies productive zones within fields to optimize management strategies. Additionally, the company offers tools for biomass production, field health assessment, and conservation planning. By leveraging precision agriculture data, AgSolver's technologies enable users to make informed decisions that improve profitability, compliance, and investment returns. The integration of data management with simulation tools allows for high-resolution insights and efficient conservation planning, ultimately assisting farmers in maximizing productivity and sustainability on their land.

AgBiome

Seed Round in 2012
AgBiome is a biotechnology company that develops biological products for agriculture by leveraging the plant-associated microbiome. It identifies plant microbes with potential to improve plant health, pest resistance, and yields, using genomics and screening technologies. The company builds a microbial collection and operates a platform to discover ingredients for agriculturally relevant applications, including fungicides and other biologics that target soil-borne diseases, insects, and nematodes. Through partnerships with agricultural players, AgBiome accelerates discovery and global deployment of solutions. It is based in Durham, North Carolina, with a state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facility, and has a substantial research team.

Translate Bio

Series A in 2012
Translate Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics aimed at addressing diseases linked to protein or gene dysfunction. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company is advancing its lead candidates, MRT5005 and MRT5201. MRT5005 is currently undergoing Phase I/II clinical trials for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, while MRT5201 is being developed for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. Translate Bio was previously known as RaNA Therapeutics, Inc. before rebranding in June 2017. The company specializes in innovative therapies for rare diseases, leveraging the potential of RNA-based medicine.
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