Ohalo Genetics is dedicated to accelerating the evolution of crops to create more efficient and sustainable agriculture. They use innovative plant genetic technologies to improve various aspects of crops, including:
Yield: They aim to increase crop yields to meet the growing demand for food from a world population that is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050.
Quality: Ohalo Genetics focuses on enhancing the quality of crops by improving their taste, nutritional value, and shelf life.
Flavor: They aim to develop crops with more desirable flavors to meet consumer preferences and increase consumption.
Resistance to pests and diseases: By improving the natural defenses of crops, Ohalo Genetics seeks to reduce reliance on pesticides and herbicides, making agriculture more sustainable.
Adaptability to a changing climate: With the increasing challenges posed by climate change, Ohalo Genetics works to develop crops that can withstand extreme weather events and thrive in different environmental conditions.
Here are some key aspects of Ohalo Genetics:
Technology: They utilize cutting-edge molecular breeding and quantitative genetics techniques to achieve their goals.
Vision: Ohalo Genetics aims to reimagine the art and science of plant breeding by making it more efficient and effective.
Products: They are currently developing several breakthrough crop varieties, including a potato with reduced sugar content.
Impact: Ohalo Genetics believes that their technology has the potential to revolutionize agriculture and ensure a sustainable food supply for future generations.
David Friedberg is the current CEO. He is a leading figure in the agriculture technology industry and has a long track record of success in building and leading innovative companies. Here’s an overview of his background and achievements:
Founding and Leading Companies:
The Climate Corporation: Founded and served as CEO until its acquisition by Monsanto in 2013 for $1.1 billion. The Climate Corporation was a pioneer in agricultural data analytics and insurance, making it the first unicorn in the agtech space.
The Production Board (TPB): Founded and currently serves as CEO. TPB is an investment and startup incubator dedicated to building impactful companies in various sectors, including agriculture, food, and climate.
Metromile: Co-founded and served as Chairman until its IPO in 2020. Metromile is a software-powered auto insurance provider that offers pay-per-mile plans.
OHalo Genetics: Became CEO in September 2023. Ohalo Genetics is a gene-editing startup focused on developing new plant varieties with improved yield, quality, and sustainability.
Other Roles and Achievements:
Co-host of the All-In Podcast: A popular podcast discussing tech, business, and current events.
Board Member: Serves on the boards of various companies, including NorQuin (energy infrastructure) and ClimateAI (climate risk prediction).
Patent Holder: Holds 32 patents related to various technologies, including agriculture and computer science.
Overall, David Friedberg is a highly experienced and successful entrepreneur with a deep understanding of the agriculture industry and a strong track record of building and leading innovative companies. He is well-positioned to lead Ohalo Genetics in its mission to revolutionize crop development and ensure a sustainable food supply for the future.
Ohalo Genetics Potato
On September 26, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reviewed a potato plant modified using genetic engineering. Ohalo Genetics modified the potato to alter the sugar profile to reduce glucose and fructose content in the potato. We reviewed the modified potato to determine whether it posed an increased plant pest risk as compared to cultivated potato.
APHIS found this modified potato is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated potato. As a result, it is not subject to regulation under 7 CFR part 340. From a plant pest risk perspective, this potato may be safely grown and bred in the United States.
Funding
Ohalo Genetics has raised a total of $12.3 million in funding to date.
Funding Rounds:
Seed Round:
Amount: Undisclosed
Date: December 23, 2019
Early Stage VC:
Amount: $3.7 million
Date: September 23, 2021
Investor: Anthemis
Grant:
Amount: $8,590
Date: October 04, 2021
Investor: University of Florida Investment Corporation
Series A:
Amount: $8.5 million
Date: May 1, 2022
Investors: Not publicly disclosed
Investors:
Anthemis (Venture Capital)
University of Florida Investment Corporation (Limited Partner)
Other investors in the Series A round haven’t been publicly disclosed
Sources:
Crunchbase: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/ohalo
PitchBook: https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/502654-51
Here are some additional details about Ohalo’s funding:
The company has been relatively quiet about its funding activities. While they have announced some of their funding rounds, they haven’t disclosed the investors involved in the Series A round.
Ohalo is backed by some notable investors. Anthemis is a well-known venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage technology companies. The University of Florida Investment Corporation is the investment arm of the University of Florida, which suggests that Ohalo’s technology may have potential applications in the agricultural sector.
Ohalo’s funding history suggests that the company is still in its early stages of development. They have raised a significant amount of capital, but they still have a long way to go before they can bring their products to market.
I hope this information is helpful! Please let me know if you have any other questions.
