Lucent BioSciences

Lucent BioSciences Inc., founded in 2014, is a material science company operating in the AgTech sector with a clear mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture. The company was co-founded by Michael Riedijk, a serial entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in technology and software, along with Peter Gross, Farah Nour, Jose Godoy Toku, and Jason McNamee. Riedijk, who serves as CEO, previously founded tech companies like PageFreezer and has a background in Industrial Design Engineering, which informs his focus on green and clean technology investments.

Lucent Bio's business model is centered on the principles of a circular economy, targeting the global agriculture market. The company generates revenue by selling its suite of crop nutrition products directly to farmers and through distributors. A key part of its strategy involves collaborating with food processing companies to upcycle their agricultural by-products, such as lentil, pea, and wheat hulls, into high-value fertilizers. This approach not only creates a sustainable production loop but also establishes industrial symbiosis with partners like AGT Food and Ingredients.

The company has developed a portfolio of patented, climate-positive crop inputs. Its flagship product, Soileos®, is a granular, slow-release micronutrient fertilizer. Unlike conventional water-soluble fertilizers, Soileos binds essential nutrients like zinc, iron, and manganese to cellulose fibers. This unique delivery mechanism relies on microbial activity in the soil to release nutrients, synchronizing availability with the plant's growth cycle and preventing nutrient loss from leaching or soil tie-up. This process enhances microbial biomass, improves soil health, and increases carbon sequestration. The product has been validated in over 300 field trials, demonstrating yield increases and a return on investment for farmers. Other products include Nutreos®, a biodegradable, microplastic-free seed coating, and Agreos®, a controlled-release fertilizer coating.

Since its inception, Lucent Bio has secured over $4.4 million in funding through various rounds, including investments from Emmertech, Amathaon Capital, and SVG Ventures. A significant milestone was starting commercial manufacturing of Soileos in 2022, making the product available through distributors in North America. The company has also received grants and support from governmental bodies like Protein Industries Canada and PacifiCan, which have been instrumental in scaling up production and commercializing new technologies like their seed treatment.

Keywords: micronutrient fertilizer, circular economy, soil health, AgTech, sustainable agriculture, crop nutrition, cellulose upcycling, slow-release fertilizer, carbon sequestration, bio-activated nutrients