ABOUT
What We Do
RhizeUP is transforming the way farmers manage soil nutrients by addressing one of agriculture’s most persistent challenges: phosphate loss. Each year, U.S. farms apply more than 20 million tons of phosphate fertilizer, but most of it binds to minerals in the soil or washes away into waterways, contributing to algal blooms and ecological decline. RhizeUP introduces a new approach by using directed evolution to create natural, non-GMO Rhizobium bacteria that fix nitrogen and also solubilize phosphate, allowing plants to access nutrients right at their roots. Our dual-purpose microbes keep excess phosphate out of rivers and streams and turn it into organic matter that can support future growing seasons. This helps farmers lower fertilizer costs while maintaining strong, healthy crops. With early interest from local farms, recognition in global biotech competitions, and a rapidly expanding biofertilizer market, RhizeUP offers a practical, sustainable way for growers to enrich their soil and protect their surrounding environment.
Supporting a $202 B+ Fertilizer Market Worldwide
Meeting the needs of farmers.
The Story
RhizeUP began as a project at the iGEM Team East Coast BioCrew in 2023. Our work there earned a Gold Medal and a nomination for the Sustainable Development Prize. Building on that momentum, we officially launched the company through the support of the Venture Creation Lab program by iGEM Startups in 2024. What started as a competition project quickly became a mission-driven venture to address nutrient runoff and its environmental impact.
The Technology
RhizeUP uses naturally evolved Rhizobium bacteria that both fix nitrogen and unlock phosphate in the soil, giving plants greater access to essential nutrients while reducing harmful fertilizer runoff.
The Future
RhizeUP plans to integrate enhanced phosphate-solubilizing and nitrogen-fixing strains into large-scale field trials, expand manufacturing capacity, and partner with universities and growers to validate performance across diverse soils.
