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§ Private Profile · Medford, MA, USA
Greenlight Biosciences is a technology company.
GreenLight Biosciences develops and manufactures biological products utilizing ribonucleic acid (RNA) technology. The company produces double-stranded RNA at commercial scale using a proprietary bioprocessing engine, enabling cost-effective and rapid product development for various applications. Their technical approach focuses on precision biology to create targeted, naturally derived solutions for challenges in plant and animal health.
The company was founded in 2008 by Andrey Zarur, James R. Swartz, and Marta Ortega-Valle. Their foundational insight recognized the largely untapped potential of RNA as a powerful, versatile tool for biological intervention. This led them to establish a platform capable of producing high-quality RNA at volumes previously unattainable, paving the way for novel applications across different sectors.
GreenLight Biosciences primarily serves the agricultural sector, providing solutions for sustainable food production and animal welfare. Their products include bio-insecticides for crop protection and treatments for pests impacting vital pollinators like honey bees. The company’s long-term vision centers on leveraging RNA's natural mechanisms to deliver environmentally conscious alternatives that improve global health and agriculture.
Greenlight Biosciences has raised $277.0M across 7 funding rounds.
Greenlight Biosciences has raised $277.0M in total across 7 funding rounds.
Greenlight Biosciences has raised $277.0M in total across 7 funding rounds.
Greenlight Biosciences's investors include Baird Capital, Jason Dinges, Maveron, Oak HC/FT, TSVC Capital, Continental Grain Company, Cormorant Asset Management, Fall Line Capital, Lewis & Clark AgriFood, Frederic Michel, Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund, Matthew Walker.
Greenlight Biosciences has raised $277.0M across 7 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $25.0M Series C in March 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2025 | $25M Series C | — | Baird Capital | Announced |
| Jun 1, 2020 | $100M Series D | Jason Dinges | Baird Capital, Maveron, OAK HC/FT, Tsvc Capital, Continental Grain Company, Cormorant Asset Management, Fall Line Capital, Lewis & Clark Agrifood, Frederic Michel, Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund, Matthew Walker, TAO Capital Partners | Announced |
| May 12, 2020 | $17M Venture Round | — | Michael Liang, FLU LAB, Xeraya Capital | Announced |
| May 1, 2020 | $17M Series U | — | Baird Capital, Maveron, OAK HC/FT, Tsvc Capital, FLU LAB, Xeraya Capital | Announced |
| Jan 8, 2019 | $50M Venture Round | Michael Liang, Blueio, Matthew Walker | — | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2019 | $50M Series U | — | Baird Capital, Maveron, OAK HC/FT, Tsvc Capital | Announced |
| Sep 14, 2017 | $18M Series D | Eric O'Brien | Dave Furneaux, Lewis & Clark Ventures, Macro Capital Investments, Ganesh Kishore, S2G Ventures, Syngenta Ventures | Announced |
GreenLight Biosciences is a biotechnology company developing RNA-based agricultural solutions to address pest, disease, and weed challenges for farmers and beekeepers. It builds products like bioinsecticides, fungicides, and herbicides using its proprietary cell-free RNA production platform, serving growers of crops such as potatoes, grapes, strawberries, and tomatoes, as well as beekeepers managing honeybee colonies.[1][3][7] The company solves problems of chemical pesticide resistance, environmental persistence, and pollinator decline by offering targeted, biodegradable RNAi sprays that precisely disrupt pests without harming crops, beneficial insects, or the ecosystem, with its first product Calantha™ registered by the U.S. EPA in early 2024 for Colorado potato beetle control.[1][5][6] Growth momentum includes commercial launches in the U.S. and Ukraine, regulatory submissions for varroa mite control (Norroa™) and grape powdery mildew, expansion into Mexico, and $25M in Series C funding in 2025 to scale operations and advance a pipeline targeting a $79B crop protection market.[4][6][8]
Founded in 2008, GreenLight Biosciences emerged as a pioneer in RNA interference (RNAi) for agriculture, initially aiming to create safer food systems through nature-inspired biotech for plants, animals, and human health.[3][2] The idea stemmed from leveraging RNA's precision to target biological threats without broad-spectrum chemicals, building on a unique cell-free manufacturing platform for scalable dsRNA production.[2][8] Early traction came from partnerships and funding, including support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for gene therapies and over $25M in recent Series C from investors like Just Climate and Baird Capital, enabling pivotal milestones such as Calantha™'s 2024 EPA approval—the first registered RNA crop protection spray—and ongoing field tests for botrytis and other pathogens.[3][6][1]
GreenLight rides the wave of RNA tech expansion beyond COVID vaccines into sustainable agriculture, addressing chemical herbicide scrutiny, pesticide resistance, and pollinator crises amid climate-driven crop stresses.[1][6] Timing aligns with regulatory shifts favoring biopesticides and a $79B market gap for targeted solutions, as bee losses hit 62% in 2024-2025 and weeds like horseweed evade traditional controls.[4][6] Market forces include rising demand for residue-free produce, international expansion needs (e.g., Mexico), and funding for green agtech, positioning GreenLight to influence the ecosystem by pioneering RNAi commercialization and diversifying from pest control to weed management and plant resilience.[1][5]
GreenLight is poised to launch Norroa™ for varroa control post-U.S. registration and advance herbicide dossiers for global review, scaling via Rochester expansion and international dossiers in EU/Brazil.[1][6][8] Trends like abiotic stress mitigation (heat/water) and multi-species targeting will shape its path, potentially capturing share in a shifting regulatory landscape favoring RNA over persistent chemicals.[5] Its influence may evolve from niche biopesticide leader to broad agRNA platform, fostering resilient food systems as RNA tech matures in ag, tying back to its mission of nature-powered innovation for equitable farming.[7]