In Washington, Phytelligence, an agricultural biotechnology company revolutionizing the way food crops are grown, announced the closing of $6.95 million dollars for expanded plant production that utilizes the proprietary Phytelligence MultiPHY technology, while also funding research for developing, owning, and commercializing new rootstock and varieties of apples, cherries, pears, and grapes to further meet the needs of growers and consumers.
Since 2015, under new management, Phytelligence increased employee count from 12 to 70 full-time employees, secured greenhouse space in Burien, Washington and established a fully-functioning tissue culture lab based in Portland, Oregon. The company also maintains its own research and development lab in Pullman, Washington where it discovers grower-focused technologies while also having the right of first refusal for technologies developed in the Dhingra Lab at Washington State University.
The initial funding close signals the availability of an additional $9 million in funding to be secured by August 4, 2017.