The startup utilizes a proprietary process that employs black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) to convert chicken manure into organic fertilizer and animal protein, enhancing soil health and crop yields. This method reduces the reliance on chemical fertilizers, addressing the need for sustainable practices in agriculture and animal production.
Funding
$12.5M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Conventional fertilizers and applied manures often fail to effectively simulate the complex nutrient delivery performed by natural soil microbiology. Degraded soils lack the necessary microbial diversity to efficiently feed plants, hindering nutrient uptake and overall plant health.
Solution
Chonex provides StrongSoil®, a bio-fertilizer designed to regenerate soil health and improve plant resilience. StrongSoil® is produced through a patented bioconversion process using black soldier fly larvae to upcycle layer hen manure, resulting in a high concentration of beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and essential nutrients. Formulated as a water-dispersible granule, StrongSoil® delivers a critical mass of diverse microbiology that enhances nitrogen fixation, solubilizes potassium and phosphorus, increases soil organic matter, and improves water-holding capacity. This leads to enhanced nutrient uptake, increased tolerance to environmental stresses, and improved overall soil functionality.
Target Audience
The primary customers are pioneering farmers and regenerative agriculture practitioners seeking to improve soil health, increase crop yields, and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs for crops such as corn, cotton, blueberries, grapes, peanuts, and citrus.
Features
- Patented bioconversion process utilizing black soldier fly larvae to upcycle layer hen manure
- Water-dispersible granule (WDG) formulation for easy storage, mixing, and application
- Delivers a diverse range of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and protozoa to the soil
- Enhances nitrogen fixation and solubilizes potassium and phosphorus
- Increases soil organic matter and carbon sequestration
- Improves water-holding and infiltration capacity
- Enhances plant resilience to drought, temperature, pests, and diseases
- Can be applied pre-plant, in-furrow, pre-emerge, or early post, and works with drip and overhead irrigation