The Frost Challenge in Agriculture

Frost damage in agriculture is increasingly recognized as a significant challenge, contributing to an estimated $30 billion in food waste annually—enough to feed 200 million people. This alarming statistic comes from CryoBio, a New York-based startup that recently secured $1.3 million in pre-seed funding.

CryoBio: A Response to a Growing Concern

Founded in 2025 by serial entrepreneur Murli Manohar, CryoBio emerged as a spin-out from the venture studio Marble. Manohar previously co-founded Ascribe Bio, a biofungicide company, in 2017. His motivation for starting CryoBio stemmed from recognizing a significant market need for crop protection products that mitigate frost damage.

“People do not talk about frost like they talk about drought or pathogens,” Manohar said. “It has become a massive problem, especially in the last decade. The damage caused by frost has doubled, and it is expected to double again.”

Climate Change: Accelerating the Problem

As climate change shifts planting seasons earlier, crops face a heightened risk of frost exposure. Traditional methods of protecting fields, such as using candles in vineyards or helicopters to disperse warm air, are both labor-intensive and inefficient. CryoBio’s innovative approach utilizes a precision fermentation-derived anti-freeze molecule that coats plants, offering frost protection for several days to two weeks, depending on the crop.

Future Developments: Seed Treatment Innovations

CryoBio is also in the developmental stages of a seed treatment version of its product, aimed at maximizing convenience by allowing farmers to use existing equipment. This innovation aligns with the company’s mission to enhance crop resilience against frost damage.

Scaling Up: The Path Ahead

The recent seed funding will be leveraged to construct the necessary infrastructure to launch CryoBio’s product, with a target release of 2028. The startup has attracted investments from notable organizations, including AgVenture Alliance, FuzeHub, Launch NY, Marble, and NY Venture.

“The key to the success of any biological product is to validate it in the field,” Manohar emphasized. “This funding is directed towards our preparedness for field validation.”

Collaboration with Growers

As part of its strategy, CryoBio has engaged nearly 30 growers across New York, Maryland, and Washington to conduct five-acre field trials. Manohar stresses the importance of collaboration with these farmers, saying, “We are not bringing the data to them. We want them to test, and they bring us the data.”

Future Funding and Expansion Plans

Following the completion of the field trials, CryoBio intends to seek an additional round of funding to enhance its biomanufacturing capacity and expand trials to larger acreage. Currently, the startup operates at the gram-scale and aims to scale up production to the kilogram level with future investments.