Queensland startup Nbryo has secured $10 million in global investment to commercialise technology that can reduce seven years of selective cattle breeding into just one week.
Developed from 15 years of research on a cattle property near Beaudesert, Nbryo’s in vitro embryo production (IVP) platform aims to make advanced cattle breeding more accessible to beef and dairy producers around the world.
By lowering the cost of producing high-quality bovine embryos, the company is enabling faster genetic progress to help farmers meet growing demand for efficient and sustainable livestock production.
The funding will allow Nbryo to scale and commercialise its platform from Queensland while expanding local operations.
“Queensland has always been a farming state, but we’re also known for growing ideas that reshape industries,” said minister for finance, trade, employment and training Ros Bates.
“It’s no surprise Nbryo is drawing interest from respected investors globally, including the Gates Foundation, who recognise Queensland has the talent, ideas and drive to compete on the world stage.
“The New Zealand Government’s co-investment is a clear endorsement of the work delivered by the Crisafulli government to reestablish Queensland as Australia’s premier investment destination.”
The Queensland Government’s investment through QIC is alongside Tenacious Ventures, Mandalay Ventures and AgriZero, which is half owned by the New Zealand Government.
“Nbryo brings the best of Queensland agriculture and innovation together to solve one of the cattle industry’s biggest bottlenecks, affordable access to superior genetics,” said minister for primary industries Tony Perrett.
“Their technology is resetting the economics of cattle breeding, levelling the playing field for farmers everywhere and delivering step-change improvements in productivity and sustainability.”
Nbryo chief executive officer Paul Niven said the funding would accelerate the company’s technology roadmap.
“This investment gives us the resources to scale our platform with the goal of making elite cattle genetics accessible to every farmer,” he said.
“By democratising access to high-quality embryos, we believe we can transform cattle breeding efficiency and sustainability worldwide, with a number of trials already underway across Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
“With the support of our investors and the Queensland Government, we have a real opportunity to build a global high-tech business here in Queensland that changes the face of beef and dairy industries everywhere.”
The $10 million seed raise was supported by investors Tenacious Ventures, AgriZero, Mandalay Ventures and QIC, with the Gates Foundation providing ongoing technical collaboration and support for international market entry.