Chromatin

Chromatin Inc., founded in 2000 by Daphne Preuss and Gregory Copenhaver, established itself as an agricultural technology company with a dedicated focus on sorghum. The company's primary business was the development and sale of hybrid, drought-tolerant sorghum seeds for both traditional agricultural markets and for use in new applications like renewable chemicals, materials, and fuels. Chromatin's business model centered on leveraging its proprietary gene stacking technology to create specialized sorghum feedstocks. This technology allowed for the simultaneous and precise introduction of multiple genes into a plant, a process that accelerates the development of new products with desirable traits.

Initially, in 2006, Chromatin attempted to license its "Many Chromosome Technology" directly to plant breeders but shifted its strategy when that approach proved unsuccessful. The company then pivoted to partnering with and later acquiring sorghum companies to commercialize its technology through the sale of seeds. A key milestone was the 2010 acquisition of Sorghum Partners, Inc. and Milo Genetics, LP, which provided Chromatin with an established distribution network and commercially viable germplasm. This was followed by the acquisition of Production Seeds Plus, Inc. in 2014, further expanding its portfolio in forage sorghum seed. The company's products included diverse sorghum hybrids such as grain, forage, food-grade, and sweet varieties, which catered to multiple end markets. These seeds were designed to be high-yielding, nutrient-efficient, and drought-tolerant, capable of growing on over 80% of the world's agricultural land.

Over its history, Chromatin raised significant capital, including a Series E round that brought its total funding to over $70 million by 2014, with investors like BP Alternative Energy, IllinoisVentures, and Unilever Ventures. The company collaborated with major industry players, entering into research and commercial license agreements with Syngenta for its gene stacking technology in crops like corn, soybeans, and sugarcane. In 2018, after entering receivership, certain assets and contracts of Chromatin were acquired by S&W Seed Company for $26.5 million. This acquisition included Chromatin's product portfolio, development pipeline, and its distribution network of over 500 farmer-dealers.

Keywords: sorghum seed, agricultural technology, gene stacking, plant breeding, crop genetics, drought-tolerant crops, bioenergy feedstock, hybrid seeds, sustainable agriculture, farm technology