Michigan, USA
February 23, 2015
Start-up bio- technology company, Native Traits Corporation, recently secured $500,000 in pre-seed funding. The Bioscience Research and Commercialization Center (BRCC) at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo invested $250,000. Northern Michigan Angels, an investor group located in Traverse City, provided an additional $250,000.
The funding will allow Native Traits to push forward their trademarked NT RECOVERY™ program and to accelerate the screening of ancestral strains of maize (corn) for native traits such as drought resistance and cold tolerance. Once identified, each trait is recovered and transferred to commercial varieties via traditional plant breeding techniques. No genetic engineering is used in the development of new varieties that are less susceptible to extreme climate conditions.
“Our research is focused on recovering natural genetic traits from ancestral strains of corn,” said Dr. James Friedrich, President/CEO of Native Traits. “Heirloom and Native American varieties were well-adapted to adverse weather conditions and are an excellent place to look.”
Native Traits was formed in 2012 by Dr. Friedrich and Dr. John McIntyre. The company works from a repurposed chicken egg processing plant just outside of Kalamazoo in Oshtemo Township. The building offers plenty of office space, a sizeable laboratory, cold storage, ample room for expansion, and most importantly, is adjacent to the company’s research farm. The majority of the team’s research is on field corn. Research and development is primarily based on seed obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) seed bank in Ames, Iowa.
“This location is ideal for our research as it sits in close proximity to Lake Michigan and within an area that is often referred to as a snow belt,” stated Dr. Friedrich. “This location provides us with the extreme weather conditions we need for testing.”
Dr. Friedrich credits the company’s success to timeliness – improving food security is a major challenge that affects farmers as well as consumers. He also recognized a team of supporters and consultants who have been by his side during the formation of Native Traits, including the company’s initial investor, the BRCC. The BRCC provides startup and gap funding to promising Michigan-based life sciences and medical device ventures entering the commercialization phase of development.
“Being an entrepreneur can be lonely at times, I’m very appreciative of the support I’ve received,” shared Dr. Friedrich. “It was especially refreshing to work with John and Sandra at the SBDC who not only provided me with valuable resources and contacts, but also moral support and that pat on the back when I needed it most.”
In working with the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Dr. Friedrich received no- cost counseling and hands-on support from a handful of Business Consultants in the Michigan SBDC network, including Technology Business Consultant Sandra Cochrane and John Balbach (former Tech Team Consultant). He received assistance with developing a business plan, crafting his elevator pitch and making critical introductions to potential investors. He also worked with the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center (SMIC), Northern Michigan Angels in Traverse City, and his landlord, Dave Corning of DACO Properties.
In its short existence, Native Traits has also received its share of awards. In 2013, the company took 2nd place in the Elevator Pitch Olympics in Madison, Wisconsin. The company won 1st place in the Elevator Pitch Competition at the 2014 ACE (Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurs) event and was named by Corp! Magazine as an Industry Innovator Honoree in 2014.
Native Traits Corporation is the premier commercial developer of native traits for the hybrid seed corn industry. The company’s primary focus is the development of genetic traits that can make corn resistant to drought and extreme temperatures. The company is currently working with seven major seed companies. To learn more about Native Traits visit them online at http://nativetraits.blogspot.com.
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