Upstream Biotechnology raises seed funding for crop protection tech

Durham-based Upstream Biotechnology Inc. has secured seed financing to advance its plant biotechnology platform, which aims to protect crops and strengthen resilience by activating gene regulation in response to environmental stress.

The round was led by LeVert Ventures, with participation from Corteva, through its Corteva Catalyst investment platform, Silver Blue, Middleland Capital’s VTC Ventures, and other investors.

Upstream plans to use the proceeds to advance its proprietary SwitchBlade platform, expand validation across key row and specialty crops, strengthen intellectual property and support strategic collaborations with leading seed industry partners.

“Closing our seed round positions us to build partnerships with major agricultural companies to advance crop resilience traits toward field validation and eventual commercial deployment,” said George H. Greene, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Upstream Biotechnology. “Our focus now is on major row crops and key disease and stress challenges, building the collaborations and momentum needed to reach farmers and prepare for our next funding round.”

Activating traits on demand

By regulating trait activation at the protein-translation level, SwitchBlade enables plants to switch on characteristics that help with disease or the stress response without affecting normal growth when stress isn’t present. 

“The SwitchBlade platform uses translation control to fine-tune trait activation,” said Greene. “It can respond at the right time, the right place and at the right amount to deliver effective protection. We have a unique molecular approach to fine-tune control for defense response and resistance traits.”

The technology, based on plant immunity research conducted in Professor Xinnian Dong’s lab at Duke University, addresses one of the central trade-offs in crop biotechnology by improving disease resistance without the yield penalties often associated with approaches that keep defenses switched on all the time. 

“Our vision is to reduce the amount of pesticide needed to protect crops,” said Greene. “The SwitchBlade platform can be adapted to a wide range of crops, from corn, soybeans and canola to tomatoes and sweet potatoes, without having to start the discovery process from scratch each time. Ultimately, we want to support food security while reducing agricultural inputs.”

NCBiotech-backed startup

“After spinning out of Duke, we chose to stay in the area because of its strong ag tech community,” said Greene. “The RTP region has an impressive ecosystem, from major seed companies to a vibrant startup community pursuing AI-driven breeding, biologicals and gene editing. There’s a real diversity of approaches focused on creating value in agriculture.”

That ecosystem has also supported Upstream’s growth, including through the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. In 2023, the company received a $200,000 Small Business Research Loan to demonstrate the Switchblade system in soybean. A second $250,000 loan in 2026 is supporting the platform’s next phase of development. 

“NCBiotech has been an incredible resource, helping us advance our proof of concept and make connections with potential strategic partners, local and regional investors, and university collaborators at institutions such as Duke and North Carolina State University.”

So far, Upstream has demonstrated proof of concept for SwitchBlade in multiple crop systems and is advancing programs in soybean, corn, rice and other crops.

Read more about Upstream Biotechnologies

1. Upstream Biotechnology and Bene Seeds in strategic collaboration to develop high-yielding heirloom tomatoes | North Carolina Biotechnology Center
2. NCBiotech awards $7.4M in grants, loans in FY26 | North Carolina Biotechnology Center
3. NCBiotech Awards $2.75 Million in Grants, Loans in Latest Quarter | North Carolina Biotechnology Center