Biome4All

Based in São Paulo, Brazil, B4A (formerly Biome4All) operates at the intersection of biotechnology and agricultural data analytics. The company was founded in 2019 by Leonardo Gomes, who has a background in the financial sector, and microbiologist Marcus Adonai Castro da Silva. Gomes, the CEO, transitioned from a career in finance at corporations like American Express and Citibank to the agribusiness sector, applying his expertise in data and business to biotechnology.

B4A provides advanced diagnostics of soil microbiota by utilizing genetic analysis (DNA), metagenomics, and big data to interpret the complex microbial communities in the soil. This process enables the company to assess soil health and prescribe regenerative treatments and management practices to enhance productive efficiency. The company's core technology, the Agri-Analysis platform, sequences the DNA of soil microorganisms to identify over 9,000 relevant functional genes. These genetic profiles are then compared against a proprietary database covering more than 40 crops to generate actionable insights.

The business model targets agricultural producers, agronomists, and input companies, offering a process that starts with a soil collection kit and an app for sample registration. After the DNA is sequenced, the data is processed through bioinformatics and made available to clients on the Fullbio online platform. The platform delivers intuitive reports detailing the soil's functional status concerning diseases, nutrition, emissions, and stress, culminating in the B4A soil health index. Based on this index, B4A recommends over 180 regenerative practices, including the use of bio-inputs, cover crops, and cultural practices. The firm has also launched the "Agro Bioma Brasil" project, a large-scale genetic mapping of Brazilian soil with a R$29 million investment, aiming to analyze 5 million hectares in partnership with 110 consulting firms.

In August 2024, the company secured $523K in a Seed funding round led by Rural Ventures, with participation from Bossa Nova and Setter. B4A's services extend beyond agriculture to include metagenomic characterization for animal production efficiency and molecular analysis for ecological impact studies.

Keywords: soil microbiome, metagenomics, agricultural biotechnology, regenerative agriculture, soil DNA analysis, soil health, agtech, bio-diagnostics, bioinformatics, microbial intelligence, precision agriculture, sustainable farming, crop productivity, bio-inputs, soil genetic mapping, agricultural data analytics, Cerrado soil analysis, animal gut health, ecological impact assessment, agricultural solutions