AgBiome, a research company focused on crop productivity, has raised $14.5 million in Series A financing. First-time investor Polaris Partners led the round, with participation from ARCH Venture Partners, Harris & Harris Group and Innotech Advisers, as well as additional strategic investors. AgBiome identifies novel microbes useful for boosting crop productivity, as well as new useful genes from those microbes. The company will use the financing to advance its R&D programs, and to support the launch of its first products. The Research Triangle Park, NC-based startup closed on a $2 million round in December 2012.
