Leaps by Bayer

We're pleased to share the appointment of Jerry Steiner to NuCicer's Board of Directors. 👏 With extensive experience in #agriculture technology and #sustainability, Jerry will support our strategic growth and innovation efforts. Kathryn Cook, Founder and CEO of NuCicer, shared her enthusiasm about Jerry joining the team, emphasizing his expertise in global agricultural markets and the scaling of innovative ideas. Jerry has a solid track record, having co-founded Leaps' portfolio company CoverCress Inc. and served as EVP of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Monsanto. He will help NuCicer refine its strategy and broaden its impact on global food systems. Stay tuned for more updates as NuCicer continues to lead in #chickpea breeding and drive #innovation in agriculture! 🚀

🤝 Congratulations to our portfolio company Grão Direto! Grão Direto is revolutionizing the agricultural commodity chain with their cutting-edge digital grain trading platform, and it's no surprise their latest investment round has attracted some of the biggest names in the industry! With a vision to empower farmers and the entire agribusiness value chain, Grão Direto is making significant strides towards becoming a leader in quality, productivity and pioneering new business models. As the largest digital grain trading platform in Latin America, Grão Direto connects farmers, feed mills, cooperatives, intermediaries, and major trading partners through a neutral and independent platform. We at Leaps by Bayer have proudly supported Grão Direto since 2018. Today, we are thrilled to welcome new investors KASZEK, SLC Agrícola, Bradesco, CME Group, and Endeavor. Their strategic expertise and investment will undoubtedly drive a major transformation in agricultural trade, making it more efficient, modern, and sustainable. Join us in celebrating this milestone and the bright future ahead for Grão Direto and the entire agribusiness ecosystem! 🌱💡 🕵️♀️ Check out the full press release: https://lnkd.in/duGrVQdw

🌱 🤝 We're thrilled to announce our participation in the recent $12 million investment round for Decibel Bio, a groundbreaking startup that fine-tunes plant traits through epigenetic treatments. This innovative approach helps crops adapt to drought, resist disease, use less #fertilizer, and extend shelf life—all without altering their DNA. We are proud to support Decibel Bio alongside other visionary investors like Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Future Ventures, and Syngenta Group Ventures. This investment aligns with our commitment to advancing #sustainableagriculture and addressing the challenges posed by #climatechange. As an investor in Sound Agriculture , we are excited to see Decibel Bio emerge from this innovative company and look forward to the positive impact their technology will have on the future of farming. 👏

Concern for climate change correlates with positivity towards new genomic technologies (NGTs) such as CRISPR in agriculture. In the Breakthrough Study we conducted in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and market research by Ipsos UK, which questioned over 13K respondents from 13 markets on what they think and feel regarding breakthrough science, we found that: 💡 Respondents who are concerned about climate change have a more positive opinion about NGTs than those who say they aren't concerned. ➡️ Our study also found that participants with higher levels of knowledge about NGTs had a more positive attitude towards this technology. What do you think we can learn from these findings?

Did you know that every 8 minutes, someone is added to the transplant waiting list? The global organ shortage is a crisis that claims 17 lives each day. Traditional organ donation simply can’t keep up with the growing need. But there is hope! Innovative companies like eGenesis, Inc. could revolutionize organ availability by pioneering in the field of #xenotransplantation – using genetically modified pig organs. 🧬💡 Learn more in our post and share your thoughts! ⬇️

🚀 Exciting news from portfolio company Bloom Science, Inc. on their potentially first-in-class, orally delivered Live Biotherapeutic Product that mimics the #ketogenic diet's effects: A recent phase 1 study showed a statistically significant, dose-dependent #weightloss effect. If future studies continue to confirm these results, this could revolutionize weight-loss therapies, making them more accessible to those struggling with #metabolicconditions—moving beyond injection-based options to a convenient oral solution. Congratulation to the team at Bloom. We're looking forward to seeing further progress in this space. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ekZPkRGu

🌱 Proud to share exciting 2024 results from our portfolio company Sound Agriculture ! Their innovative crop solutions continue to demonstrate great real-world impact: ✅ Consistent 6-12+ bushel/acre yield increases in corn with 84% win rate ✅ 3x ROI for growers using SOURCE® to replace synthetic fertilizers ✅Successful expansion into LATAM markets under new leadership of Thiago Bortoli These advancements underscore the critical role of #sustainableagricultural practices in feeding a growing population while protecting our planet. We are proud to support Sound Agriculture as they continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in #cropnutrition and #sustainability. 🌎

🚀 Exciting news from portfolio company Rantizo and Bayer | Crop Science 🤝 Rantizo’s AcreConnect™ software is now integrated with Bayer’s Climate FieldView, enabling drone operators to easily share spray application maps with growers. 🔎 This innovation provides farmers with a more comprehensive view of their operations, enhancing decision-making for better profitability, sustainability, and compliance. This collaboration is a testament to our ambition to drive innovation that aligns with Bayer’s commitment to a more sustainable future in farming. 🌱

Why do you think high-income countries are more hesitant to try cultivated meat? In the report 'How Society Feels about Breakthrough Science' we've uncovered an intriguing trend: 💡Participants in countries with high GDPs and high levels of meat consumption are the most reluctance to try cultivated meat. ➡️ What’s behind this hesitation? Is it a resistance to change, or simply a matter of tradition meeting innovation? As the future of food continues to evolve, this global divide raises important questions for the cultivated meat industry. The Breakthrough Study was conducted in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and market research by Ipsos UK, questioning over 13K respondents from 13 markets.

Being named among Endpoints News' Top 100 Venture Investors in Biotech is an honor, but more than anything, it’s a reflection of the incredible work happening across the industry. Biotech innovation doesn’t happen in isolation — it takes a network of investors, entrepreneurs, and scientists pushing boundaries to bring breakthrough solutions to life. 🔬 💡 At Leaps by Bayer, we remain committed to supporting bold ideas that have the potential to transform health of people and the planet. We appreciate the dedication of those working to advance breakthrough innovations and drive meaningful progress in this space. 🚀