IMIO, an agricultural biologicals company focused on soil performance, has raised US$12 million in new funding. The round was led by Sofinnova Partners, with additional backing from Chipotle's Cultivate Next venture fund, Starshot, Earth Foundry, Grow Together Fund, and Serra Ventures. The capital will support the company's expansion into a new headquarters, laboratory, and biomanufacturing facility in Chicago.
A Focus on Dependable Products
CropLife's 2026 Biologicals Survey found that 39% of ag retailers and advisors cite trust issues as the main barrier to market acceptance for biological products. IMIO has responded by prioritizing dependable performance, straightforward use, and clear return on investment. The company grows and tests each microbial strain individually, combines them in precise ratios, and freeze-dries them to maintain viability through storage.
The company's flagship platform, Re-Gen, is designed to recapture nutrients from crop residue. It is activated with water just before application and applied directly to stalks, stover, and other plant material. Because the microbes are activated on demand, Re-Gen delivers 100,000 times more active microbes than competing products, supporting more dependable nutrient release.
Measurable Field Results
Re-Gen has been evaluated across more than 10,000 Midwest acres through university and farm trials during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Treated acres averaged an 11.9 bushel per acre corn yield increase. Applications have also delivered NPK credits of up to US$120 per acre and documented tillage savings of up to US$120 per acre in produce operations.
Minnesota and Wisconsin farmer Kirk Stueve tested Re-Gen on a 140-acre field in a high-residue, four-year corn-on-corn rotation. The treated field exceeded its historic yield record by 30 bushels per acre. Stueve said, "A lot of biologicals have great marketing strategies and sales teams but struggle to deliver in reality. From what we've seen so far, IMIO is an outlier."
By capturing tied-up organic nutrients and operating at a nitrogen use efficiency of 0.75 pounds of nitrogen per bushel, Stueve cut his nitrogen bill by US$45 to US$50 per acre without sacrificing yield. He added that IMIO's team assists with interpretations, offers insights, and listens to concerns. This level of support has made his operation more optimistic about the value of using biologicals.
Scaling Production and Practical Use
The new funding will help IMIO build its headquarters, lab, and biomanufacturing operations in Chicago. The location brings the company closer to customers and provides access to the region's talent in agriculture and biomanufacturing. With expanded production capacity, IMIO plans to bring its biological products to more farms across the United States.
Re-Gen is concentrated and shelf-stable until activation, and it can be applied through standard sprayers, irrigation systems, or drones. One central Minnesota grower applied Re-Gen across 1,000 acres in spring 2025, reported softer residue and easier field preparation, and then treated another 1,000 acres that fall. The company says easy storage and straightforward application make the product practical to use across more acres.
With fresh capital and a new Chicago facility, IMIO is positioned to scale production of biological products that farmers are increasingly willing to evaluate. The company attributes its momentum to a focus on measurable outcomes, soil health, and dependable performance rather than marketing alone. IMIO says it remains focused on earning trust as it brings Re-Gen to more row crop and produce operations.