IMIO, the pioneering manufacturer of a new generation of dependable agricultural biologicals, has raised $12 million to help farmers transform soil performance and protect profitability. The round was led by Sofinnova Partners with additional backing from Chipotle’s Cultivate Next venture fund, Starshot Capital, Grow Together Salinas, Earth Foundry and Serra Ventures. The investment will be used to support the development of the company’s new lab and biomanufacturing operations and headquarters in Chicago.
Biologicals have significant potential in agriculture, but trust remains the biggest barrier to adoption. In CropLife's 2026 Biologicals Survey of ag retailers and advisors, 39 per cent cited trust issues as the main reason biological products have struggled to find market acceptance. Many biological products on the market have been unreliable and hard to use alongside existing farm practices.
IMIO was built to address that challenge with a proprietary biomanufacturing process that produces concentrated and reliable biologicals. Each microbial strain is grown and tested individually, combined in precise ratios and freeze-dried to preserve viability through storage, transport and application. IMIO's products, Re-Gen for Produce and Re-Gen for Row Crops, are applied to the residue left over after harvesting. Re-Gen’s combination of fungi, bacteria and yeast speeds up the breakdown of residue, which can harbor pathogens, and releases nutrients back into the soil to improve soil health and crop performance.
Charles Smith, Founder and CEO at IMIO, said, “Farmers deserve trustworthy partners and products. The work they do is vital for all of us who need to eat food, and they’re facing an extremely challenging market. We understand why they’re skeptical of biologicals, and we appreciate the trust they put in us when they use our products. We’re committed to delivering reliable performance and ROI, helping increase profitability while improving soil function.”
