CroBio develops a living soil amendment applied in liquid form once per growing season; the product contains engineered microbes that produce bacterial cellulose to retain water and nutrients around plant roots. The amendment has a two-year shelf life, is compatible with typical farm equipment, and is positioned as a low-cost solution for large-acreage row crops. CroBio says its bacterial cellulose can hold 1,000x its weight in water and that greenhouse studies showed a 200% improvement in water retention in sandy soil. The microbes consume root exudates, produce carbon-rich bacterial cellulose that increases organic carbon and feeds the soil microbiome, and the company emphasizes benefits for nutrient management and carbon sequestration. Future work under the new award will accelerate strain development and adapt the technology for use across the UK and Europe to reduce fertiliser need and improve soil and environmental health. Financially, CroBio has progressed from bootstrap and early Catapult Ventures support to a Seed round and accelerator backing, and now its first government-funded grant to scale development. CroBio develops enhanced soil microbes that express a sponge-like material around crop roots to boost drought resilience, aid soil regeneration, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s core product is biologically refined bacterial strains tested in greenhouse trials with early support from Catapult Ventures’ GM&C Life Sciences Fund. Founded in 2019 by Ross Mulhall during the YES19 competition with support from his father Wayne Mulhall, CroBio secured intellectual property and initially bootstrapped development. In 2023 it received $525,000 from SOSV and joined the IndieBio accelerator to advance its strains. CroBio has now closed a €1.45 million seed round led by a group of US investors including The Grantham Foundation, with participation from SOSV and Ponderosa Ventures and continued support from the Catapult Ventures Group. The company plans to use the funding to conduct field trials with strategic partners and expand its geographical reach.

Total raised

$2M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Grant

Latest activity

Feb 2025