Germin8 Ventures

Wheeler Bio is a biomanufacturing company founded in 2020 by Jesse McCool in Oklahoma City, focused on accelerating the translation of therapeutic innovations into clinical applications. The company offers a unique platform that integrates pre-clinical discovery with biomanufacturing processes, addressing critical gaps that often hinder the development of new therapies. By providing access to comprehensive discovery-to-IND programs, Wheeler Bio enables biopharma companies to streamline their path to clinical trials. Its Portable CMC platform ensures rapid and high-quality biomanufacturing, allowing clients to achieve a predictable and efficient route to bringing therapies to market.

Avalo is a plant biology company that employs interpretable machine learning, genomic discovery, and evolutionary theory to expedite the development of new crops tailored for future agricultural needs. Utilizing AI-assisted plant breeding methods, Avalo creates non-GMO products that foster natural biodiversity. Its core technology, a discovery engine, can swiftly identify genetic bases of complex traits even in understudied crops, reducing time and cost significantly compared to traditional methods. This enables Avalo to forecast and enhance crop traits like drought tolerance and nutrient density, adapting agriculture to changing climates.

AgriWebb, established in 2014 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, specializes in developing and delivering comprehensive farm management software. Its flagship product, AgriWebb NoteBook, is a farm management and record-keeping application designed for the livestock production industry. The software enables real-time data collection, even offline, and offers features such as livestock action tracking, paddock treatment and crop recording, task management, inventory recording, and online access to data, reporting, and analytics. AgriWebb's founders, with a 5-generation livestock production background, aim to transform the industry by promoting data-driven decision-making and improving management efficiency, transparency, and benchmarking.

Matterworks is a developer of an artificial intelligence platform focused on advancing the field of metabolomics within the life sciences. The company's technology enhances analytical capabilities, allowing scientific researchers to conduct faster and more comprehensive metabolomic screenings. By facilitating the discovery and engineering processes, Matterworks aims to accelerate scientific progress and support innovation in various biological applications.

Bushel Inc. is a Fargo, North Dakota-based company that develops software solutions for the agricultural industry, specifically targeting the grain trading sector. Established in 2011, Bushel offers a comprehensive platform that connects grain companies and growers through various digital tools. Its product suite includes a mobile application, websites, trading tools, market feeds, and API services, all designed to facilitate efficient transactions and enhance communication between farmers, grain buyers, protein producers, and food companies. The platform provides users with instant access to essential information such as scale tickets, contracts, commodity balances, and cash bids, while prioritizing data privacy as a fundamental aspect of its operations.

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.

AgriWebb, established in 2014 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, specializes in developing and delivering comprehensive farm management software. Its flagship product, AgriWebb NoteBook, is a farm management and record-keeping application designed for the livestock production industry. The software enables real-time data collection, even offline, and offers features such as livestock action tracking, paddock treatment and crop recording, task management, inventory recording, and online access to data, reporting, and analytics. AgriWebb's founders, with a 5-generation livestock production background, aim to transform the industry by promoting data-driven decision-making and improving management efficiency, transparency, and benchmarking.

Enko Chem, Inc., established in 2017 and based in Woburn, Massachusetts, specializes in the discovery and development of small-molecule and novel products designed to protect crops from pests and diseases. The company's proprietary technology platform enables it to swiftly identify safe and cost-effective solutions, contributing to sustainable food production.

Brightseed, Inc. is a pioneering biosciences company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2017. It specializes in the discovery of bioactive compounds in plants that have beneficial effects on human health, particularly for chronic disease management. Utilizing its proprietary Forager platform, which incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning, Brightseed accelerates the identification and validation of these naturally occurring compounds, transforming what was once a lengthy process into a matter of months. By mapping bioactives to specific health outcomes, Brightseed provides valuable insights and science-backed solutions to partners across the consumer health continuum. The company's innovative approach aims to illuminate the connections between nature and human health, ultimately improving quality of life and addressing health challenges through the exploration of previously uncharted plant compounds.

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.

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.

Nobell Foods is a biotech company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in developing and producing animal-based food substitutes using plant materials. Founded in 2016, the company aims to transform plants into bioreactors to generate protein, unlocking their potential to create innovative food alternatives. By focusing on plant-based solutions, Nobell Foods seeks to provide sustainable options that can replace traditional animal products, contributing to a more environmentally friendly food system.

Bushel Inc. is a Fargo, North Dakota-based company that develops software solutions for the agricultural industry, specifically targeting the grain trading sector. Established in 2011, Bushel offers a comprehensive platform that connects grain companies and growers through various digital tools. Its product suite includes a mobile application, websites, trading tools, market feeds, and API services, all designed to facilitate efficient transactions and enhance communication between farmers, grain buyers, protein producers, and food companies. The platform provides users with instant access to essential information such as scale tickets, contracts, commodity balances, and cash bids, while prioritizing data privacy as a fundamental aspect of its operations.

Brightseed, Inc. is a pioneering biosciences company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2017. It specializes in the discovery of bioactive compounds in plants that have beneficial effects on human health, particularly for chronic disease management. Utilizing its proprietary Forager platform, which incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning, Brightseed accelerates the identification and validation of these naturally occurring compounds, transforming what was once a lengthy process into a matter of months. By mapping bioactives to specific health outcomes, Brightseed provides valuable insights and science-backed solutions to partners across the consumer health continuum. The company's innovative approach aims to illuminate the connections between nature and human health, ultimately improving quality of life and addressing health challenges through the exploration of previously uncharted plant compounds.

Enko Chem, Inc., established in 2017 and based in Woburn, Massachusetts, specializes in the discovery and development of small-molecule and novel products designed to protect crops from pests and diseases. The company's proprietary technology platform enables it to swiftly identify safe and cost-effective solutions, contributing to sustainable food production.

Bushel Inc. is a Fargo, North Dakota-based company that develops software solutions for the agricultural industry, specifically targeting the grain trading sector. Established in 2011, Bushel offers a comprehensive platform that connects grain companies and growers through various digital tools. Its product suite includes a mobile application, websites, trading tools, market feeds, and API services, all designed to facilitate efficient transactions and enhance communication between farmers, grain buyers, protein producers, and food companies. The platform provides users with instant access to essential information such as scale tickets, contracts, commodity balances, and cash bids, while prioritizing data privacy as a fundamental aspect of its operations.

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.

CropX is an ag-analytics and IoT company specializing in AI-driven, cloud-based software solutions designed to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. The company's platform integrates data from both proprietary sources and third parties, enabling farmers to improve crop yields by up to 15% while reducing water usage by as much as 50%, and minimizing pesticide and fertilizer application by up to 20%. CropX's comprehensive system is user-friendly and has been deployed on over 5,000 farms across 70 countries, demonstrating rapid growth in the agricultural sector. Through strategic partnerships with notable industry leaders, CropX facilitates the automation of farming operations and the seamless sharing of data, assisting farmers in navigating the complexities of modern agriculture effectively.

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.

Rethink Brands, Inc. is a beverage manufacturer based in Columbia, Maryland, founded in 2015. The company specializes in producing boxed water beverages and a variety of flavored drinks, including juice splashes and fruit punches aimed primarily at children. Rethink Brands focuses on creating nutritious energy drinks with zero sugar, zero calories, and zero sodium, using organic fruit essence flavors. The products are designed to promote hydration and wellness, making them suitable for various occasions such as birthday parties and sports events. Rethink Brands distributes its beverages through retail channels and online, emphasizing environmentally friendly packaging to align with its commitment to health and sustainability.

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.

CropX is an ag-analytics and IoT company specializing in AI-driven, cloud-based software solutions designed to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. The company's platform integrates data from both proprietary sources and third parties, enabling farmers to improve crop yields by up to 15% while reducing water usage by as much as 50%, and minimizing pesticide and fertilizer application by up to 20%. CropX's comprehensive system is user-friendly and has been deployed on over 5,000 farms across 70 countries, demonstrating rapid growth in the agricultural sector. Through strategic partnerships with notable industry leaders, CropX facilitates the automation of farming operations and the seamless sharing of data, assisting farmers in navigating the complexities of modern agriculture effectively.