Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings LLC

What Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings LLC does

Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings LLC is a purpose-driven U.S.–Kenya biotechnology company that operates the most advanced pyrethrum breeding and processing operation in Kenya, producing Pale Refined Extract (PRE), a 50% active natural pyrethrin-based insecticide, and Pyrethrum Marc (Pymarc), an organic by-product used in agriculture, animal husbandry, and insect-repellent applications. The company's core technology is a proprietary breeding program combining Reciprocal Recurrent Selection, Genomic Selection with machine learning, polycross mating, gamma irradiation, and near-infrared spectroscopy, which has yielded four new high-pyrethrin varieties released in 2023. Kentegra runs a vertically integrated supply chain that sources dried pyrethrum flowers from over 20,000 smallholder farmers across 14 Kenyan counties, pays them via M-Pesa within 14 days, processes the flowers in a state-of-the-art Kenyan refinery, and ships bulk-packaged product (25kg UN-certified metal drums for PRE; 25kg/50kg woven bags for Pymarc) to B2B customers across 6 continents.

Kentegra monetizes through direct B2B sales to formulation manufacturers in three end-verticals: home and garden (primary use cases), agriculture (the largest commercial segment, including PT 18 and PT 19 biocidal formulations), and pharmaceuticals. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; buyers engage via a contact-sales form on the company's website. The company holds OMRI certification for organic use and ECHA registration (2024) for access to the European Union market, and it is expanding its European distribution through a partnership with Belgian pest control company Armosa. Growth capital is anchored by $15 million in combined equity and loan financing from DFC ($10M) and Finnfund ($5M) closed in August 2023, earmarked to scale processing capacity and expand the farmer network to 90,000 smallholders. The company is privately held, headquartered in Nairobi with operating and R&D presence in Naivasha, and operates with a team of 101–250 researchers, engineers, agronomists, and support staff.

Name

Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings LLC

Legal name

Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings LLC

Website

https://kentegrabiotech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kentegra Biotechnology is a US-Kenya biotech company that breeds, sources from 20,000+ smallholder farmers, and processes pyrethrum flowers into Pale Refined Extract (a 50% natural pyrethrin insecticide) and Pyrethrum Marc by-product, selling bulk B2B to formulation manufacturers across home and garden, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals in 6 continents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Biopesticides

NAICS

Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532), Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253), Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (325320)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Agricultural Chemicals (2870)

akta.pro primary industry

Botanical Biopesticides & Plant Extracts (Essential Oils, Neem, Pyrethrins) (AFABAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medicinal Plant Farming (Botanical/Pharmaceutical Crops) (AFAGAGAE), Organic Herb, Spice & Medicinal/Aromatic Plant Farming (AFAGAKAE), Crop Protection Chemicals (Herbicides/Insecticides/Fungicides) (IMAEAEAI)

Keywords

• Natural pyrethrum extracts
• Biopesticide active ingredients
• Organic insecticide production
• Pyrethrum processing
• Agricultural biocontrol

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pale Refined Extract (PRE) sales: Sale of premium-grade Pale Refined Extract derived from dried pyrethrum flowers, marketed for home & garden, agriculture, and pharmaceutical applications. Contains 50% active molecules (pyrethrins I and II, jasmolines I and II, cinerines I and II) suitable for PT 18 and PT 19 biocidal and plant protection formulations. Packaged in 25kg UN-certified and IATA-approved metal drums with 2-year shelf life.
2. Pyrethrum Marc (Pymarc) sales: Sale of organic by-product derived after active ingredient extraction from ground pyrethrum flowers. Used for mosquito coils, mosquito sticks, insect-repelling products, agricultural soil conditioning, animal feed, and livestock bedding. Packaged in 25kg and 50kg poly woven bags.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kentegra Biotechnology processes dried pyrethrum flowers grown by over 20,000 Kenyan smallholder farmers into premium-grade Pale Refined Extract (PRE), a 50% natural active-ingredient insecticide used in home & garden, agriculture, and pharmaceutical applications. The company also sells Pyrethrum Marc (Pymarc), an organic by-product used for mosquito coils, soil conditioning, and animal feed/bedding.

Product overview

Kentegra Biotechnology operates a single-product business model centered on pyrethrum processing, producing two distinct outputs from dried pyrethrum flowers: Pale Refined Extract (PRE) as the primary high-value product—a 50% active natural insecticide—and Pyrethrum Marc (Pymarc) as a secondary organic by-product used in agriculture and animal husbandry. The company works with over 20,000 Kenyan smallholder farmers who supply dried flowers, which Kentegra processes in its state-of-the-art refinery before shipping premium-grade PRE to markets worldwide across 6 continents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pale Refined Extract (PRE) A liquid extract derived from dried pyrethrum flowers containing 50% active molecules (pyrethrins I and II, jasmolines I and II, cinerines I and II), suitable for PT 18 and PT 19 biocidal and plant protection formulations. Sold to enterprise agrochemical formulators and pest-control manufacturers for home & garden, agriculture, and pharmaceutical applications; packaged in 25kg UN-certified and IATA-approved metal drums with a 2-year shelf life.
• Pyrethrum Marc (Pymarc) Organic by-product remaining after pyrethrins are extracted from ground pyrethrum flowers, composed of plant fibers, proteins, tannins, flavonoids, and other organic compounds. Sold to mosquito coil and repellent manufacturers, agricultural soil-conditioner distributors, and livestock farmers for use as feed, bedding, and soil amendment; packaged in 25kg and 50kg poly woven bags.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of farmers report significantly improved lives since partnering with Kentegra
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ArmosacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArmosa is a leading Belgian pest control company renowned for cutting-edge solutions and dedication to environmental stewardship. The partnership exemplifies international cooperation in addressing modern challenges in the human and agricultural sectors.
• Academic InstitutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKentegra collaborates with leading academic institutions to research and develop pyrethrum varieties and farming methods that deliver the best yield to farmers. Published research with Abincha, Wilfred, Ochula, Geoffrey, Muriuki, Martin on 'Unlocking Kenya's Pyrethrum Potential: A Breeding Review' in Advances in Agriculture, 2026.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Valent BioSciences (Sumitomo Chemical subsidiary):
• Sumitomo Chemical: Sumitomo Chemical is a major global agrochemical incumbent that produces synthetic pyrethroids (e.g., permethrin equivalents) and broader crop protection products. It competes with Kentegra in the pest control market with cheaper synthetic alternatives.
• Bayer Crop Science: Bayer Crop Science is a global agribusiness giant with a growing biologicals portfolio alongside its dominant synthetic pesticide franchise. It competes broadly with Kentegra for farmer and home & garden pest control spend, and is acquiring biocontrol assets.
• Syngenta Biologicals: Syngenta, part of ChemChina/Sinochem, is a major agrochemical company with an expanding biologicals portfolio acquired through acquisitions like Valagro. It competes broadly with Kentegra and is actively scaling biopesticide offerings in agriculture.

Direct peers

• MGK (McLaughlin Gormley King): MGK is one of the world's largest producers of natural pyrethrum-based insecticides, directly competing with Kentegra in the home & garden and agricultural biopesticide markets. Both companies supply pyrethrin concentrates to formulators of PT 18 and PT 19 biocidal products.
• Botanical Resources Australia (BRA): BRA is a major Australian producer and refiner of natural pyrethrins, with vertically integrated pyrethrum farming and processing. It is the most direct global competitor to Kentegra in terms of integrated pyrethrum production and export of Pale Refined Extract to formulation customers.
• Certis Biologicals: Certis Biologicals (formerly Certis USA, part of Mitsui & Co.) is a leading biopesticide company offering microbial and botanical pest control products. It directly competes with Kentegra in the organic and biocontrol market and is a likely customer/formulator partner for PRE supply.
• Koppert Biological Systems: Koppert is a global leader in biological crop protection, supplying beneficial insects, microbial products, and biopesticides. It competes with Kentegra for organic pesticide shelf space and grower relationships in agriculture and horticulture.
• Marrone Bio Innovations (now part of Bioceres Crop Solutions): Marrone Bio Innovations is a biopesticide company developing and marketing natural pest management products for agriculture. It competes in the same biocontrol category as Kentegra's pyrethrum-based offerings and serves overlapping grower segments.

Regional players

• Pyrethrum Board of Kenya / Kenya Pyrethrum / Tumaini Agricultural Group: Historical Kenyan pyrethrum processors and grower cooperatives that dominated the industry before its decline. They represent regional supply alternatives in Kenya and would be the most direct local competitors if they re-enter the market at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInke.linkedin.com/company/kentegra-biotechnology-holdings-llc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings LLC