Soteria Formulations develops biodegradable, microplastic-free delivery platforms that extend shelf life and field performance of lower inputs of diverse agrobiologicals and agrochemicals.
Crop pests cause 20–40% of global crop losses, costing over $220 billion worldwide and $30–100 billion in the U.S. annually (USDA ARS, 2024; NIFA, 2024).
Yet 75–90% of sprayed pesticides never reach their target, requiring multiple applications, driving excess chemical leaching into soil and water, and raising costs for farmers.
As regulations tighten and pest resistance grows, growers and manufacturers need effective, eco-friendly alternatives that reduce agrochemical use. Agrobiologicals offer promise but require better delivery systems for stability and performance.
Soteria Formulations addresses this with a patent-pending, biodegradable, microplastic-free matrix. Our seed coatings and pelleted granules provide targeted delivery and controlled release of diverse agricultural inputs—reducing off-target losses, enabling lower input rates (as little as 10% of broadcast), and enhancing compatibility for biologics.
Leadership & Expertise
Soteria’s team brings decades of combined experience in chemistry, materials science, plant pathology, and agricultural commercialization. Many members have collaborated for over 10 years.
- Dr. Tahira Pirzada – CEO & Principal Investigator
Ph.D. in Chemistry with 10+ years in project management and R&D. - Richard H. Guenther – CTO & Co-Principal Investigator
35+ years in materials science and plant pathology research and management.
Technical Advisors
- Prof. Charles H. Opperman
Professor Emeritus of Nematology at NCSU with 43+ years in higher education, R&D, and industry. - Prof. Saad A. Khan
INVISTA Professor of Chemical Engineering at NCSU with 35+ years in biomaterials engineering, fabrication, and rheology.
Business Advisors
- Dr. Howard Glicksman
Retired DuPont Fellow, active mentor, and serial investor in startups. - Dr. Natarajan Balachander
Consultant at Global AgTech LLC with 25+ years developing and commercializing agricultural technologies.
Soteria targets the $168 billion global crop protection market, driven by demand for biodegradable carriers and reduced chemical use amid regulatory pressures. Future expansion includes nutrients.
Initial Market Entry Points
- Seed coating formulations for row and specialty crops
- Pelleted granules for specialty crops and vegetables
Commercial Strategy
Soteria seeks B2B partnerships with agrochemical and agrobiological manufacturers to co-formulate or license its platform for controlled-release products.
Current traction includes:
- Co-formulation with 2 agrobiological manufacturers
- Negotiating 3 material testing agreements with international and U.S. manufacturers
- Ongoing non-confidential discussions with multiple manufacturers
- Direct farmer engagement for on-farm feedback
- Exclusive license of patent-pending technology from NCSU (2024)
- Preparing 2 PCT applications
- Discussions with EPA for inert formulation registration
Validation efforts include greenhouse and field trials with university extension partners.
Soteria will generate revenue through a multi-stream model:
- Upfront & Milestone Payments
From strategic development agreements with large and medium-scale manufacturers to cover formulation integration. - Direct Sales
Production and supply of pelleted granules and seed coatings to growers and seed companies. - Licensing Agreements
Fees and royalties from companies manufacturing Soteria’s proprietary matrix and registered products.
Investment Opportunity
Soteria seeks $1.5 million over two years to accelerate product validation, scale manufacturing, secure regulatory approvals, and expand market access.
Use of Proceeds
| Category | Amount | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Product Development & Trials | $300K | Optimize formulations Conduct greenhouse and field trials across key crops Generate performance data for adoption and regulatory needs |
| Manufacturing Scale-Up | $150K | Transfer protocols to toll manufacturers Pilot production for trials and early sales Implement quality control systems |
| Regulatory & Market Access | $350K | Submit 2 patent applications Prepare EPA/state filings Assess global compliance (e.g., OMRI, biodegradable certification) |
| Team & Operations | $700K | Strategic hires in marketing, regulatory, and operations General overhead |
Participation in the Showcase will provide critical investor and industry connections to support U.S. and global market entry.
Soteria’s core technology uses fibrous lignocellulosic biomass to create porous, biodegradable matrices for targeted, tunable delivery of agrochemicals and biologicals—reducing overuse and soil leaching compared to liquid formulations.
Originating from a Gates Foundation-funded prototype at NC State University, the platform was validated in sheet format across 9 countries with 8 input types, demonstrating 90% reduction in agrochemical use while maintaining pest control and yield gains over 8 years of smallholder trials.
Current adaptations focus on commercial formats:
- Pelleted Granules
Validated in 4 greenhouse and 2 field trials (one ongoing as of October 2024); scaling production with toll manufacturer. - Seed Coatings
Lab-scale process established; validated via germination assays and 2 greenhouse trials (second ongoing as of October 2024).
Formulation adjustments control appearance, adhesion, sorption, and release while preserving matrix integrity—positioning Soteria for rapid commercialization in large-scale agriculture.
Soteria has secured $300,000 in non-dilutive funding and awards:
| Source | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| NC Biotechnology Center Translational Research Grant | $110,000 | |
| NC Biotechnology Centre Small Business Research Loan | $100,000 | |
| NC State University Daugherty Endowment Competition | $25,000 | 1st place business pitch and plan |
| NC Idea Micro Grant | $10,000 | |
| NC State University SparkPlug | $5,000 | |
| NSF I-Corps / First Flight Venture Centre LiftOff & SBA Awards | $50,000 | Grants and equivalent awards |
Affiliated University or Laboratory
