Catalera BioSolutions, a pioneering company in biological pest control solutions, is set to make waves in the agriculture and pest control industries. Announcing the initial close of its Series A funding round, the Vancouver-based company is backed by an $8 million investment led by S2G Ventures, alongside Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Capital. With a second round expected by the end of 2024, Catalera is on track to rapidly expand its portfolio of biological solutions and continue its mission to revolutionize the pest control market.

A New Chapter in Biological Solutions
Catalera is a spin-out from Terramera, an established ag-tech company, and was launched in mid-2024. The company’s focus is on addressing the core challenges that have limited the widespread adoption of biological pest control solutions. By leveraging a patented toolkit of technologies, Catalera is poised to bring safer, more effective, and cost-competitive biological products to the market.

Building on the success of existing products like RANGO® (for specialty crops), SOCORO® (for row crops), Vaporpad® (for professional bed bug treatment), and the newly registered TRIFECTO® in Mexico, Catalera is well-positioned for growth. The company plans to launch several new products over the next few years, all designed to combat the global overreliance on synthetic chemicals that has plagued the agriculture and pest control industries for nearly a century.

The Rise of Biological Pest Control
The $70 billion synthetic chemistry industry for agriculture and consumer pest control is facing mounting challenges. The long-term use of synthetic chemicals has led to negative environmental effects, including soil and water degradation, food security risks, and harmful health impacts. These growing concerns have led consumers, governments, and industries to seek alternative, sustainable solutions.

“Consumers, government, and industry, including the world’s largest agriculture companies, are wanting to move to biologicals,” said Matthew Dahabieh, CEO of Catalera BioSolutions. “But natural solutions need a helping hand to meet the needs of industry, growers, and consumers. Catalera holds the keys to unlocking the potential of biologicals and making a major impact in agriculture and beyond.”

With over a decade of experience developing biological products, Dahabieh and his team have a proven track record of launching successful products in collaboration with leading partners. This new funding will enable Catalera to bring more innovative products to market, further accelerating the transition to biological solutions.

A Promising Future for Biologicals
The timing for Catalera’s growth could not be better. According to Sanjeev Krishnan, managing partner at S2G Ventures, global events such as severe supply chain disruptions and concerns over the impacts of fertilizer use have caused many farmers to reconsider their traditional approaches.

“We believe Catalera’s distinctive platform capabilities for unlocking biological formulation and cutting-edge product portfolio signals a promising future for the industry,” said Krishnan. “We look forward to supporting them in their mission.”

As a leader in agricultural technology, S2G Ventures is well-positioned to support Catalera’s continued growth. S2G has a decade of experience investing in innovative food and ag-tech businesses and is committed to helping Catalera scale its groundbreaking biological solutions.

FCC Capital’s Strategic Investment
FCC Capital, a new arm of Farm Credit Canada, made its first co-investment alongside S2G in Catalera BioSolutions. This move reflects FCC’s dedication to advancing Canadian agriculture and food industries by investing in companies with the potential to make a significant impact.

“FCC is thrilled to announce our first co-investment in Catalera BioSolutions,” said Justine Hendricks, FCC president and CEO. “This transaction aligns with FCC’s commitment to deliver impactful financing for innovative companies with the potential to advance the Canadian food and agriculture industry.”

By leveraging its expertise, data, and relationships, FCC aims to help Catalera grow and succeed in both domestic and international markets. The partnership with Catalera aligns perfectly with FCC’s mission to support sustainable and innovative agriculture solutions.

Catalera’s Mission: Unlocking the Power of Biologicals
Catalera’s vision is inspired by a simple question: “What if synthetic chemistry was never invented?” The company’s goal is to unlock the full potential of biologicals and accelerate the transition to a future where sustainable, natural solutions are the norm in pest control and agriculture.

As concerns over the long-term impacts of synthetic chemicals grow, Catalera is leading the charge in creating safe, effective, and environmentally friendly biological solutions. With a solid foundation of existing products and an exciting pipeline of innovations, Catalera is well-positioned to make a major impact on the $70 billion pest control market.

With the backing of S2G Ventures and FCC Capital, Catalera is poised to grow its portfolio and bring even more innovative products to market, helping farmers, consumers, and industries transition to sustainable pest control solutions that are both effective and safe for the environment.

For more information about Catalera BioSolutions and its innovative biological pest control solutions, visit catalera.com.

About Catalera BioSolutions
Catalera BioSolutions is a leading developer of biological solutions for agriculture, home, and public health. Based in Vancouver, Canada, the company has over a decade of experience innovating formulation technologies to create efficacious biological pesticides. Catalera’s mission is to unlock the power of biologicals and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.

About S2G Ventures
S2G Ventures is a multi-stage investment firm focused on food, agriculture, oceans, and energy. The firm supports entrepreneurs and leadership teams pursuing market-based solutions that are more sustainable than traditional alternatives.

About FCC
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is 100% invested in Canadian agriculture and food industries, providing flexible financing and capital solutions to support the success of Canadian producers and processors. FCC reinvests profits back into the agriculture industry and the communities it serves.

source- catalera