ZeaKal
ZeaKal is a San Diego-based agricultural biotechnology company developing PhotoSeed™, a proprietary plant trait technology that enhances photosynthetic capacity in soybeans and corn to increase oil and protein without yield loss. The company licenses its traits through a partnership-based NewType model serving U.S. growers, processors, and renewable fuel manufacturers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ZeaKal does
ZeaKal is a San Diego-based agricultural biotechnology company developing PhotoSeed™, a proprietary plant trait technology that enhances photosynthetic capacity in major row crops, enabling plants to capture more carbon dioxide and sunlight and convert it into improved oil and protein content without sacrificing yield or requiring additional inputs or land. The company's flagship products are PhotoSeed Soy (increasing oil content by up to 15% and protein by up to 3 points while reducing carbon intensity scores) and PhotoSeed Corn (increasing oil production by up to 40% with a pathway to reduced CI scores for fuel markets), both underpinned by 12 completed biotechnology patents with five exclusively licensed from inventor and co-founder Nick Roberts.
ZeaKal commercializes through a partnership-driven "NewType" agriculture model rather than direct sales, licensing its trait technology to a harmonized supply chain that includes Gro Alliance for seed production, Nutrien Ag Solutions and Meherrin AG for retail distribution and agronomic services, Perdue AgriBusiness as processor and offtake partner, and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council for combined trait development. Revenue is generated through trait licensing royalties, premium grain programs with guaranteed offtakes tied to improved oil composition, and value-sharing arrangements linked to sustainability metrics in sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel feedstock markets, where CI score reductions of up to 4.6 points (CORSIA) qualify crops for fuel-tax-credit pathways.
Founded by Han Chen (CEO) and Nick Roberts (CSO), ZeaKal has raised approximately $24.1 million across disclosed funding rounds led by Finistere Ventures, Middleland Capital, and RIV Capital. The company targets U.S. soybean growers, corn growers, poultry producers (via Perdue), and renewable fuel manufacturers, with PhotoSeed soybeans commercially available for the 2024 growing season and PhotoSeed corn targeted for 2027 commercialization.
ZeaKal firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ZeaKal
- Legal name
- ZeaKal, Inc.
- Website
- https://zeakal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ZeaKal is a San Diego-based agricultural biotechnology company developing PhotoSeed™, a proprietary plant trait technology that enhances photosynthetic capacity in soybeans and corn to increase oil and protein without yield loss. The company licenses its traits through a partnership-based NewType model serving U.S. growers, processors, and renewable fuel manufacturers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ZeaKal industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- akta.pro primary industry
- Regulatory Science & Biosafety for Traits (Dossier, stewardship, compliance) (AFABALAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Gene Editing Trait Development (CRISPR/TALEN/ZFN) (AFABALAB), Transformation & Tissue Culture Platforms (Plant regeneration, delivery systems) (AFABALAH)
Keywords
Where ZeaKal is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ZeaKal business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Trait Licensing: ZeaKal licenses its PhotoSeed trait technology to seed companies, agricultural retailers, and processors. The NewType model allows growers to share in the total value of improved crop composition, processing advantages, and sustainability metrics. Revenue is generated through licensing fees and value-sharing arrangements with supply chain partners.
- Premium Grain Programs: ZeaKal offers premium programs for both grain growers and local seed producers participating in PhotoSeed or High Oleic programs. The company collaborates with Perdue AgriBusiness for guaranteed offtakes with premiums tied to improved oil composition. Additional revenue streams come from processing margins as PhotoSeed crops produce higher energy-density feedstock.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel Feedstock: PhotoSeed technology enables expansion of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production by approximately one billion additional gallons on existing U.S. soybean acreage. This creates value through improved carbon intensity scores that qualify for CI tax incentives and value-added pricing for crops used in renewable fuel production.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
ZeaKal product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ZeaKal develops and licenses proprietary plant trait technology (PhotoSeed) that enhances photosynthetic capacity in major row crops, increasing oil and protein content without compromising yield or requiring additional inputs. The company commercializes its trait technology through a harmonized NewType agriculture supply chain model, partnering with seed producers, agricultural retailers, and processors to deliver higher-value soybean and corn varieties to U.S. growers.
Product overview
ZeaKal offers a portfolio of plant trait technologies anchored by its PhotoSeed flagship technology, which improves photosynthetic capacity across major crops. The product portfolio includes PhotoSeed Soy (improving oil by up to 15% and protein by up to 3 points) and PhotoSeed Corn (increasing oil by up to 40%), both designed to enhance carbon capture and nutritional density while maintaining yields. Through the NewType Model, ZeaKal integrates its seed genetics with supply chain partners including Gro Alliance, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Perdue AgriBusiness, and Meherrin AG to deliver higher-value crops to growers and premium markets. The company also offers SOYLEIC high oleic soybean varieties through a licensing partnership with Missouri Soybeans.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PhotoSeed: ZeaKal's flagship plant trait technology that enhances photosynthesis to improve crop composition (oil and protein) and sustainability while maintaining field yields. First commercialized in soybeans with corn varieties in development.
Products and services
- PhotoSeed Soy PhotoSeed soybeans improve photosynthetic capacity, increasing oil content by up to 15% and protein by up to 3 points in the meal while maintaining modern field yields and reducing carbon intensity. Licensed to seed companies and distributed via Gro Alliance, Nutrien Ag Solutions, and Meherrin AG for U.S. soybean growers.
- PhotoSeed Corn PhotoSeed corn increases oil production in the grain by up to 40% without impacting yield or cultivation practices, with a pathway to reducing carbon intensity scores for end fuel markets. Commercialization expected for the 2027 growing season.
- SOYLEIC High Oleic Soybeans High oleic soybean varieties developed through a licensing partnership with the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, combining MSMC's SOYLEIC trait with ZeaKal's PhotoSeed photosynthetic capabilities. Distributed via Meherrin AG to growers in Delmarva and Pennsylvania regions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 15% increase in soybean oil content
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use ZeaKal
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
ZeaKal technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
ZeaKal partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered important, supporting, core and minor.
- Meherrin AGimportantMeherrin AG, a multi-state agricultural input supplier founded in 1958 with farming roots dating back to 1917, advances commercialization of PhotoSeed for soybean growers. They distribute ZeaKal-branded SOYLEIC high oleic soybean seeds with expert agronomic services, expanding services available to growers in target regions.
- Foxley, LLCsupportingFoxley, LLC conducted independent analysis of PhotoSeed's impact on carbon intensity (CI) scores of sustainable aviation fuel from soybean oil according to multiple global standards and programs including CORSIA, IRA Section 40B, and RED.
- SCS Global ServicessupportingSCS Global Services, a leader in sustainability standards and third-party certification, is reviewing PhotoSeed's carbon intensity data for verification as a technology pathway for reducing CI scores.
- Gro AlliancecoreGro Alliance is North America's largest independently owned contract seed corn and soybean seed production company. Under the expanded partnership, Gro Alliance works directly on behalf of ZeaKal and utilizes its extensive seed industry networks to drive adoption of PhotoSeed soybean and corn offerings. They provide seed production, nursery services, and access to seed companies, crop protection organizations, and logistical support entities.
- Alhelpyou Inc.minorAlhelpyou Inc., a digital marketing firm, provides digital marketing services and leads ZeaKal's marketing strategy. The firm has specialized technical and creative expertise spanning multiple industries including award-winning documentaries, government announcements, and cleantech competitions.
- Nutrien Ag SolutionscoreNutrien Ag Solutions, North America's largest agricultural retailer with more than 2,000 global locations, supports commercialization of PhotoSeed for U.S. soybean growers. They release ZeaKal-branded soybean seeds and provide integrated agronomic services including flexible crop protection solutions customized for PhotoSeed seed offerings.
- Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC)importantMSMC, a farmer-invested organization, entered a licensing agreement with ZeaKal to combine PhotoSeed photosynthetic capabilities with MSMC's patented SOYLEIC high oleic soybean technology, creating SOYLEIC+TECH varieties that bring more agricultural advancement to farmers.
- Perdue AgriBusinesscorePerdue AgriBusiness, an independent operating company of Perdue Farms and one of the largest grain companies in the U.S., entered a multi-year development agreement with ZeaKal. As a leading soybean processor and poultry producer handling approximately 3 million acres' worth of soybeans per year, Perdue provides guaranteed offtakes, processing, and access to PhotoSeed technology for improved feed quality.
- AlgenetixsupportingNick Roberts co-founded Algenetix, a microbial and biofuels traits company that merged with ZeaKal in 2015, bringing high oil microbe program assets to the ZeaKal technology portfolio.
- AgResearchsupportingNick Roberts continues his research program as Principal Scientist at AgResearch, where he has been since 2001. He leads a team focused on improving quality and yield of temperate forage species, currently commercializing PhotoSeed technology in perennial ryegrass with multiyear field trials in the U.S.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
ZeaKal competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Inari Agriculture: Inari is a seed design company using predictive design and multiplex gene editing to develop step-change soybean and corn varieties. It is the closest direct peer to ZeaKal — both are venture-backed seed-trait platforms licensing improved genetics into the row-crop supply chain.
- Benson Hill: Benson Hill combines AI-driven genomics with soybean breeding to develop high-protein, ultra-high-protein, and low-oligosaccharide varieties. It competes with PhotoSeed Soy for the same premium soybean meal and oil value pool, particularly with poultry and feed customers.
- Pairwise: Pairwise applies CRISPR-based gene editing to develop improved fruit and row-crop varieties. As a venture-backed trait platform licensing genetics into consumer-facing supply chains, it mirrors ZeaKal's model of differentiated seed genetics for premium end markets.
- Tropic Biosciences: Tropic Biosciences uses gene editing to improve tropical crops (banana, coffee, rice). It is a direct peer in the plant-trait-as-platform category — a venture-backed genetics company monetizing novel traits through licensing to seed and food companies.
- Cibus: Cibus (which merged with Calyxt in 2023) develops gene-edited traits for canola, soybean, rice, and wheat with a licensing-first business model. It is directly comparable as a trait IP holder monetizing improved oil and quality profiles in major row crops.
Emerging players
- Arcadia Biosciences: Arcadia Biosciences develops agricultural traits focused on nutrition, climate resilience, and hemp. Its HB4 drought-tolerance soybean and high-fiber wheat portfolios overlap with ZeaKal's sustainability-embedded trait positioning, though at smaller commercial scale.
- BioConsortia: BioConsortia develops microbial and plant-trait solutions for yield and nitrogen-use efficiency. Its trait-discovery platform and focus on row-crop sustainability overlaps with ZeaKal's goal of reducing input intensity and improving crop composition.
Broad incumbents
- Corteva Agriscience: Corteva is one of the largest global seed and crop protection companies with deep soybean and corn trait portfolios (including the historic DowDuPont pipeline that ZeaKal previously collaborated with). It is the dominant incumbent whose germplasm and trait stacks set the competitive ceiling for licensing-first players like ZeaKal.
- Bayer Crop Science: Bayer (post-Monsanto acquisition) is the world's largest seed and trait company, controlling the foundational soybean and corn trait IP. It defines the competitive landscape ZeaKal must navigate when pitching differentiated PhotoSeed traits to growers and processors.
- Syngenta Group: Syngenta is a global agriscience major with broad soybean, corn, and vegetable seed portfolios, plus a leading crop protection business. It is a relevant broad incumbent because it competes for the same grower acreage, offtake relationships, and SAF/feed value pools that ZeaKal targets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ZeaKal social profiles
Digital presenceZeaKal financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ZeaKal leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
ZeaKal funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ZeaKal M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ZeaKal
What does ZeaKal do?
ZeaKal develops and licenses proprietary plant trait technology (PhotoSeed) that enhances photosynthetic capacity in major row crops, increasing oil and protein content without compromising yield or requiring additional inputs. The company commercializes its trait technology through a harmonized NewType agriculture supply chain model, partnering with seed producers, agricultural retailers, and processors to deliver higher-value soybean and corn varieties to U.S. growers.
Is ZeaKal a public or private company?
ZeaKal is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was ZeaKal founded?
ZeaKal was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ZeaKal based?
ZeaKal is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does ZeaKal make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Trait Licensing is the primary driver. The others are premium Grain Programs and sustainable Aviation Fuel Feedstock.
Who are ZeaKal's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Inari Agriculture, Benson Hill, Pairwise, Tropic Biosciences and Cibus. Emerging players are Arcadia Biosciences and BioConsortia. Broad incumbents are Corteva Agriscience, Bayer Crop Science and Syngenta Group.
Does ZeaKal have an API?
No public API is recorded for ZeaKal.
What industry is ZeaKal in?
ZeaKal's product category is Agricultural Biotechnology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFABALAI, Regulatory Science & Biosafety for Traits (Dossier, stewardship, compliance), with a secondary code of AFABALAB, Gene Editing Trait Development (CRISPR/TALEN/ZFN).