Ichora
Ichora builds cold plasma seed treatment machines that etch microscopic pores in seed coats to accelerate germination, boost biomass yield, and improve drought resilience without chemicals. Their next-generation prototype uses cold atmospheric plasma generated from ambient air, eliminating the need for specialty gases or consumables. The system is designed to be affordable and simple enough for small-scale farmers in food-insecure regions.
- Agriculture Technology
- Hardware
Funding
Founders
Product
Problem
Over 670 million people face chronic hunger, with most being small-scale farmers in Central Africa and Southeast Asia who battle conditions their seeds were never bred for. These farmers lack access to advanced seed treatments that could improve germination rates, crop resilience, and yields, perpetuating food insecurity.
Solution
Ichora provides cold plasma seed treatment machines that etch microscopic openings in seed coats, allowing water to penetrate and roots to emerge more easily. This non-thermal, chemical-free process results in faster germination, stronger plants, deeper roots, and built-in resistance to drought and disease. The treatment is a one-time boost with no recurring costs, and the next-generation prototype uses cold atmospheric plasma generated from compressed ambient air, eliminating the need for specialty gases or consumables. The system is designed to be simple enough for smallholder farmers to operate, with a four-step process from loading seeds to planting.
Target Audience
Primary customers are small-scale farmers in food-insecure regions of Central Africa and Southeast Asia, as well as agricultural NGOs and agencies seeking scalable seed treatment solutions for these communities.
Features
- Cold plasma technology that etches microscopic pores in seed coats to improve water absorption and root emergence
- Ambient-air plasma generation requiring no specialty gases or consumables
- One-time treatment with zero chemicals and no recurring costs
- Simple four-step process: load seeds, generate plasma, treat, and plant as usual
- Working prototype built from off-the-shelf parts for under $100
- Demonstrated results: +30% biomass yield and 30% faster germination in radish trials
- Expanded testing across rice, corn, and beans with ongoing trials