Source: Allan Maurer, WRAL TECHWIRE, 1/9/19

Traditional seed breeding methods are slow and expensive, But technology can speed up the process of breeding hardier plants at lower cost, according to Hi Fidelity Genetics, a Durham-based crop breeding company using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve seed genetics. HFG recently closed an $8.5 million Series A round of financing co-led by Fall Line Capital and Finistere Ventures. Philip Benfey, Ph.D, a Duke biology professor and co-founder of HFG, told the Biotech Center in an earlier interview that “We’re in the process of developing a fully integrated seed company. Our goal is to sell conventional corn seed. We’re not doing genetic modification. It’s data driven and exploits our intellectual property around root traits.”

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