Ponderosa Ventures

Ponderosa Ventures is a New York-based venture capital firm founded in 2021 that focuses on investing in pre-seed and seed-stage companies in the food, agriculture, and ocean sectors. The firm aims to drive significant changes within these industries to address critical issues related to climate, biodiversity, water, and human health. Ponderosa Ventures typically invests between $100,000 and $750,000 in its portfolio companies and maintains an efficient investment process, with an average decision timeframe of 15 days. By concentrating on transformative ventures, the firm supports the development of innovative solutions that can contribute to sustainable practices in these vital sectors.

Chloë Payne

Principal

Evi Steyer

Co-Founder

Past deals in AgTech

Everest Carbon

Venture Round in 2024
Everest Carbon is focused on developing innovative rock weathering technology aimed at permanently removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The company utilizes alkaline silicate-based rock or mineral powder, which is spread on soils to enhance soil health and boost crop yields. In addition to its core technology, Everest Carbon is advancing measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems to scale Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) efforts to one billion tons annually. This approach not only addresses carbon emissions but also supports communities in the global south by fostering sustainable agricultural practices and improving livelihoods.

Syntopa

Pre Seed Round in 2024
Syntopa is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of precision biologics for agriculture. It leverages proprietary methods and cutting-edge technologies from synthetic biology and ag tech to create innovative agricultural products. By understanding how microbes interact with specific soils, Syntopa's technologies enable farmers to enhance crop productivity, profitability, and sustainability, while also contributing to climate change mitigation.

Peptobiotics

Series A in 2024
Peptobiotics is a biotechnology startup focused on enhancing livestock health and productivity through innovative disease prevention solutions. The company specializes in developing recombinant custom peptides using synthetic biology microorganisms as alternatives to traditional antibiotics. By providing farmers with effective tools to promote growth and protect animals from pathogens, Peptobiotics aims to foster a more humane and sustainable agricultural system. Its approach not only addresses the pressing issue of antibiotic resistance but also supports farmers in maintaining healthy livestock, leading to improved agricultural outcomes without the use of conventional antibiotics.

Ant Robotics

Venture Round in 2024
Ant Robotics is a mobile robotics company focused on developing autonomous systems for agriculture. By utilizing image recognition and deep learning algorithms, the company provides open-source robotic platforms that assist farmers in identifying and removing harmful weeds from their crops. This technology aims to enhance efficiency in farming practices, ultimately helping to improve crop yields and reduce the reliance on chemical herbicides.

Everest Carbon

Seed Round in 2024
Everest Carbon is focused on developing innovative rock weathering technology aimed at permanently removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The company utilizes alkaline silicate-based rock or mineral powder, which is spread on soils to enhance soil health and boost crop yields. In addition to its core technology, Everest Carbon is advancing measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems to scale Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) efforts to one billion tons annually. This approach not only addresses carbon emissions but also supports communities in the global south by fostering sustainable agricultural practices and improving livelihoods.

CarbonFarm

Seed Round in 2023
CarbonFarm is a company focused on enabling regenerative agriculture for farmers while supporting corporations in their efforts to achieve net-zero emissions. By utilizing satellite data and artificial intelligence, CarbonFarm provides transparency in the carbon credit market. The company aims to democratize access to carbon credits by monitoring agricultural practices and estimating emissions remotely. This approach allows rice farmers to accurately quantify their emissions, facilitating funding for their transition to sustainable farming practices. Through its innovative technology, CarbonFarm seeks to create a win-win scenario for both farmers and corporations committed to environmental sustainability.

Adapt AgTech

Seed Round in 2023
Adapt AgTech provides a turn-key opportunity for container farming of edible and gourmet mushrooms. Adapt opens the door for new entrants to the farming industry and creates an opportunity for entrepreneurs while advancing access to a sustainable food supply.Adapt AgTech provides a turn-key opportunity for container farming.

Muddy Machines

Seed Round in 2022
Muddy Machines develops autonomous robots aimed at assisting farms with labor-intensive crops by automating fieldwork. The company initially focuses on its green asparagus harvest technology while planning to expand its capabilities to other crops. Additionally, Muddy Machines is exploring the use of its robotic platform for other labor-intensive tasks, such as weeding and precision applications. The robots utilize computer vision and machine learning to assess crop maturity and perform selective harvesting, ensuring that crops are picked with care to minimize damage. This innovation enables farmers to increase local produce yields and maintain the freshness of their crops.

Aquanzo

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Aquanzo is a business focused on farming marine zooplankton on land, utilizing agricultural byproducts to create a sustainable and efficient production process. The company aims to domesticate zooplankton as a natural and optimal feed source for fish and shrimp, addressing the growing demand for marine proteins in the aquafeed industry. By leveraging advanced technologies, Aquanzo produces nutritious and environmentally friendly ingredients that minimize the ecological impact associated with traditional ocean harvesting. This innovative approach enables clients to enhance their aquaculture practices while preserving ocean ecosystems.

Peptobiotics

Seed Round in 2021
Peptobiotics is a biotechnology startup focused on enhancing livestock health and productivity through innovative disease prevention solutions. The company specializes in developing recombinant custom peptides using synthetic biology microorganisms as alternatives to traditional antibiotics. By providing farmers with effective tools to promote growth and protect animals from pathogens, Peptobiotics aims to foster a more humane and sustainable agricultural system. Its approach not only addresses the pressing issue of antibiotic resistance but also supports farmers in maintaining healthy livestock, leading to improved agricultural outcomes without the use of conventional antibiotics.

SERA Intelligence

Seed Round in 2021
Sera Intelligence is an Agtech company that offers IoT, machine learning, and advanced analytics to farmers to meet global food demand.

Boomitra

Seed Round in 2021
Boomitra is an innovative carbon marketplace focused on mitigating climate change by collaborating with farmers and landowners globally to enhance agricultural practices. Based in the United States, the company employs proprietary artificial intelligence and satellite technology to monitor, report, and verify soil organic carbon levels to a depth of over 30 centimeters without the need for physical soil sampling, achieving a 99% reduction in measurement costs. This efficient and scalable approach allows Boomitra to operate across diverse landholdings, impacting over 5 million acres and engaging more than 150,000 farmers on four continents. Farmers and landowners benefit significantly from the sale of carbon credits, receiving the majority of the proceeds, which can be reinvested into their farms and local communities. By integrating satellite data and geospatial deep learning, Boomitra promotes sustainable land management and provides cost-effective pathways for farmers to participate in the carbon credit market while assisting organizations in achieving their sustainability goals.

Verdi

Verdi is focused on creating a data science platform that enhances precision agriculture, starting with irrigation management. The company develops scalable control systems that provide automation and plant-level healthcare, specifically designed to function effectively in challenging agricultural environments. By utilizing a network of irrigation valves powered by geospatial analytics, Verdi enables farmers to make informed decisions regarding irrigation. This technology allows for the customization of water and fertilizer application at the plant level, facilitating better management of cultivation practices. Through external integrations, Verdi aims to support farmers and growers in building, managing, and scaling their precision agriculture systems effectively.
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.