AgroSpheres
AgroSpheres is an agricultural biotechnology company that develops the proprietary AgriCell microbially-derived minicell platform for biodegradable encapsulation of crop protection biomolecules, selling its first biofungicide FUN-THYME through Wilbur-Ellis and co-developing bioinsecticides with FMC and BASF for U.S. specialty crop and row crop growers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersCharlottesville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AgroSpheres does
AgroSpheres is a Charlottesville, Virginia-based agricultural biotechnology company founded in 2016 by Payam Pourtaheri and Ameer Shakeel while they were undergraduates at the University of Virginia. The company has developed AgriCell, a proprietary platform based on microbially-derived minicells that encapsulate and stabilize biomolecules, plant extracts, and small molecules for crop protection. The 1-step fermentation manufacturing process produces and encapsulates active ingredients in a single step, yielding biodegradable formulations with multi-year shelf life, tunable release profiles, and no microplastics or petrochemicals — products degrade into restorative organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate.
AgroSpheres monetizes the AgriCell platform through three channels: (1) direct and partner-channel sales of its own branded products, beginning with FUN-THYME, an OMRI-listed broad-spectrum biofungicide formulated with thyme-oil bioactives and distributed exclusively through Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness across 16 U.S. states; (2) co-development and licensing partnerships with major agribusiness companies including FMC Corporation and BASF for RNAi-based bioinsecticides targeting Lepidoptera pests, with FMC Ventures also a strategic investor; and (3) platform licensing of AgriCell and AgriShell technologies to other pesticide manufacturers for organic and conventional crop production.
The company employs 35 people as of April 2026 (on a path to 53 by 2030), has raised approximately $37 million in its final Series B close plus earlier-stage capital, and operates a 12,500-square-foot commercial biomanufacturing facility in Charlottesville that opened in April 2026. Target customers are U.S. specialty crop growers (grapes, berries, apples, cherries, tomatoes, almonds) — with California representing the largest commercial opportunity at over $15 billion in combined crop production value — as well as organic and row crop growers reached through FMC and BASF partnerships. Regulatory milestones include EPA approval secured in 24-30 months and OMRI certification for both the AgriCell platform and the FUN-THYME product.
AgroSpheres firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AgroSpheres
- Legal name
- AgroSpheres, Inc.
- Website
- https://agrospheres.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AgroSpheres is an agricultural biotechnology company that develops the proprietary AgriCell microbially-derived minicell platform for biodegradable encapsulation of crop protection biomolecules, selling its first biofungicide FUN-THYME through Wilbur-Ellis and co-developing bioinsecticides with FMC and BASF for U.S. specialty crop and row crop growers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AgroSpheres industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biological Crop Protection
- NAICS
- Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253)
- SIC
- Agricultural Chemicals (2870)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microbial Biofungicides (AFABAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biological Pest Control (Beneficial Insects, Nematodes, Microbials) (AFABAKAB), Biological Formulation, Fermentation & Scale-Up Manufacturing (AFABAEAM), Biostimulants & Plant Health Biologicals (Microbial/Non-microbial) (AFABAEAK)
Keywords
Where AgroSpheres is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlottesville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
AgroSpheres business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Biological Crop Protection Products: Sale of biofungicides and bioinsecticides including FUN-THYME. One 2.5-gallon jug treats up to 20 acres. Sold through distribution partner Wilbur-Ellis and directly to growers.
- Technology Licensing and Co-development: Strategic partnerships with major agribusiness companies (FMC, BASF) for co-development and commercialization of new products powered by AgriCell platform.
- Platform Technology Licensing: AgriCell and AgriShell technologies available for licensing to other pesticide manufacturers for use in organic and conventional crop production products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | FUN-THYME Biofungicide - Ultra-low-dose formulation |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
AgroSpheres product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AgroSpheres develops and manufactures biological crop protection products powered by its proprietary AgriCell encapsulation platform. The company produces biofungicides (FUN-THYME) and bioinsecticides that deliver active ingredients via microbially-derived minicells, providing targeted pest and disease control that is fully biodegradable and safe for pollinators. Products are sold through exclusive distribution (Wilbur-Ellis) and direct enterprise partnerships (FMC, BASF).
Product overview
AgroSpheres operates a platform-based business model centered on its proprietary AgriCell® encapsulation technology. The core platform enables the development and manufacturing of biological crop protection products with enhanced stability and field performance. The company's first commercialized product is FUN-THYME™, a broad-spectrum biofungicide built on AgriCell technology. The product portfolio also includes RNAi-based bioinsecticides and additional biological crop protection products in the development pipeline, with multiple major industry partnerships (FMC, BASF) advancing new product development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AgriCell: Proprietary encapsulation platform technology that enables biological crop protection products with enhanced stability, performance, and targeted uptake. The technology produces biodegradable microbe-derived minicells through a 1-step fermentation process.
- FUN-THYME
- AgroSpheres Microbially-Derived Minicells
Products and services
- AgriCell A proprietary biodegradable encapsulation technology platform that produces microbially-derived minicells through a 1-step fermentation process. AgriCell enables precise delivery and enhanced stability of biomolecules, plant extracts, and small molecules for crop protection applications, with tunable release profiles and superior field performance. Sold/licensed to crop protection product developers and manufacturers.
- FUN-THYME Biofungicide A broad-spectrum biofungicide formulated with thyme oil bioactives and built on the AgriCell encapsulation platform. Delivers long-lasting fungal control with a strong safety and handling profile for use on grapes, berries, apples, cherries, tomatoes, and almonds. OMRI-listed for organic production and EPA-approved. Sold to specialty crop growers via exclusive distribution partner Wilbur-Ellis.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ultra-low dose: One 2.5-gallon jug treats up to 20 acres
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AgroSpheres
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AgroSpheres technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
AgroSpheres partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Wilbur-ElliscoreExclusive partnership for distribution of FUN-THYME biofungicide. Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness has annual sales revenue of $2.2 billion with over 120 retail locations. Partnership brings first AgriCell-based product to market, making FUN-THYME available to growers statewide across 16 states.
- BASFcoreStrategic partnership to codevelop and commercialize category-defining broad-spectrum bioinsecticide. Leverages AgroSpheres AgriCell-powered biomolecules. Both companies demonstrated efficacy at low dose rates to control key agricultural lepidopteran pests.
- FMC CorporationcoreMulti-year collaboration targeting most devastating global crop pests. Agreement will bolster FMC's capabilities in Lepidoptera control and AgroSpheres' speed to market for RNA portfolio. Powered by $25M Series B and new manufacturing facility. FMC Ventures also invested in company.
- Craig Mello (Advisory Board)minorNobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine (RNAi discovery) joins advisory board. Brings expertise in RNA interference technology to support AgroSpheres' RNAi-based product development. Earned B.S. from Brown, PhD from Harvard, faculty at UMass Chan Medical School since 1994.
- BayerminorNovel Modalities Partnership announced June 2022. AgriCell technology to help deliver next generation of high-performing, environmentally safe crop protection.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
AgroSpheres competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GreenLight Biosciences: Direct peer developing RNAi-based crop protection products; shares AgroSpheres' focus on RNA interference technology for sustainable pest control and has overlapping agribusiness partnerships.
- AgBiome: Microbial-based biological crop protection company with a GENESIS discovery platform; directly comparable business model of developing microbial and biochemical solutions for crop protection and yield improvement.
- Pivot Bio: Develops microbial crop nutrition and protection products using proprietary microbe engineering; comparable as a venture-backed ag-biotech commercializing biological inputs through ag retail channels.
- BioConsortia: Microbial product company developing naturally-occurring microorganisms for crop protection and improvement; comparable stage and biologicals-focused model.
- Invaio Sciences: Biological crop protection company combining natural ingredients with novel delivery systems; directly comparable in pursuit of targeted, sustainable pest and disease management.
Broad incumbents
- Certis Biologicals: Established manufacturer of biological crop protection products including biofungicides and bioinsecticides; broader incumbent portfolio with overlapping product categories including OMRI-listed biofungicides.
- Bioceres Crop Solutions (Marrone Bio): Public biologicals company (parent of Marrone Bio Innovations) producing biofungicides, bioinsecticides, and biostimulants; broader portfolio incumbent with established commercial distribution.
Emerging players
- Indigo Ag: Microbial seed treatments and biological crop inputs with focus on sustainability; comparable biologicals focus though broader platform spanning digital agronomy and carbon programs.
- Sound Agriculture: Develops microbial and chemistry-based solutions for crop nutrition and protection; comparable as a venture-backed ag-biotech commercializing biological inputs through ag retail.
Regional players
- Symborg: Spanish-origin biological solutions company offering microbial crop protection and biostimulants; overlapping product categories (biofungicides, bioinsecticides) but primarily serving European, Latin American, and other non-US markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AgroSpheres social profiles
Digital presenceAgroSpheres compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
AgroSpheres financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AgroSpheres leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
AgroSpheres funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds10 records
Investors10 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AgroSpheres M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AgroSpheres
What does AgroSpheres do?
AgroSpheres develops and manufactures biological crop protection products powered by its proprietary AgriCell encapsulation platform. The company produces biofungicides (FUN-THYME) and bioinsecticides that deliver active ingredients via microbially-derived minicells, providing targeted pest and disease control that is fully biodegradable and safe for pollinators. Products are sold through exclusive distribution (Wilbur-Ellis) and direct enterprise partnerships (FMC, BASF).
Is AgroSpheres a public or private company?
AgroSpheres is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was AgroSpheres founded?
AgroSpheres was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is AgroSpheres based?
AgroSpheres is headquartered in Charlottesville, United States, in the North America region.
How does AgroSpheres make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Biological Crop Protection Products are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing and Co-development and platform Technology Licensing.
Who are AgroSpheres's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GreenLight Biosciences, AgBiome, Pivot Bio, BioConsortia and Invaio Sciences. Broad incumbents are Certis Biologicals and Bioceres Crop Solutions (Marrone Bio). Emerging players are Indigo Ag and Sound Agriculture. Symborg is listed as a regional player.
Does AgroSpheres have an API?
No public API is recorded for AgroSpheres.
What industry is AgroSpheres in?
AgroSpheres's product category is Biological Crop Protection. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFABAEAB, Microbial Biofungicides, with a secondary code of AFABAKAB, Biological Pest Control (Beneficial Insects, Nematodes, Microbials). Its NAICS code is 3253 and its SIC code is 2870.