St. Louis Inno is publishing profiles of its 2022 Startups to Watch this week. See the entire list of honorees below.
PLUTON BIOSCIENCES
Headquarters: Maryland Heights
Founders: Barry Goldman, Charlie Walch, Kirk Narzinkski, Ann Guggisberg and Diana Beckman
What it does: Pluton has developed a process, called micromining, that it says allows for inexpensive examinations of microorganisms in soil samples to discover new bacteria, fungi and viruses. It’s focused on using that process to develop natural products designed to mitigate climate change and reduce the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture.
The latest: In 2021, Pluton closed on $6.6 million in seed funding to advance its product development efforts. Since its launch, Pluton has participated in several prominent accelerator programs, including two based in Silicon Valley.
Why you should watch it: While many companies have placed a focus on combating climate change, the founders of Pluton believe they’re developing products that could have a direct impact on reversing the negative impacts of climate change. For example, it is working with German-based Bayer to use its technology to develop a spray product designed to store carbon and nitrogen and would be used by growers in their fields. Pluton says its research has found the microbial-based product could capture about 2 tons of carbon from the air per acre of farmland on an annual basis. The company is also working to develop insect control products.
What’s next: Pluton expects to advance its development of carbon capture and pest control products in 2022. It hopes to have its carbon sequestration products tested in the field this year. Meanwhile, Pluton is wrapping up a buildout of its lab facility in Maryland Heights that will double its current footprint and enhance its research capabilities. The startup also expects to launch its Series A financing this year.
More about Pluton Biosciences
Founded: 2017
Capital raised: More than $8 million
CEO: Steven Slater
Employees: 16
Investors: Better Ventures, Grantham Foundation, Fall Line Capital, First In Ventures, Wing Venture Capital, The Yield Lab Institute, Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, Plug and Play Agtech, Illumina Accelerator and various angel investors
