Funding
$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
Modern agriculture faces increasing challenges from extreme weather patterns, leading to crop stress and yield instability. Existing carbon removal solutions are insufficient to address legacy emissions at a global scale.
Solution
Cquesta leverages plant genetics to enhance root development in crops, increasing resilience to drought and other environmental stressors while simultaneously sequestering more carbon in the soil. By developing deeper and larger root systems, crops can access nutrients and water more efficiently, leading to improved yields even in challenging conditions. The increased root biomass, which is approximately 40% carbon, provides a scalable and durable method for carbon removal. Cquesta's technology is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing farming practices, requiring no behavioral changes from farmers.
Target Audience
Cquesta's primary customers are seed companies and farmers seeking to improve crop resilience, increase yields, and generate carbon credits.
Features
- Proprietary technology licensed from the Salk Institute to promote deeper root growth and suberin expression in crop plants
- Enhanced root systems improve access to water and nutrients, increasing crop resilience to drought and stress events
- Increased carbon sequestration in soil through enhanced root biomass
- Compatibility with existing farming practices, minimizing the need for behavioral changes
- Focus on cash crops to ensure economic viability for farmers