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Two teenagers, Tyler Rose and Navvye Anand, have raised $6 million to create an AI-driven solution for pesticide design, with backing from Paul Graham. Their startup, Bindwell, is using AI to develop new pesticide molecules in-house, rather than selling tools to traditional agrochemical firms. This shift aims to modernize an industry still reliant on outdated chemistry. The founders, who met during a research program, are applying techniques from drug discovery to agriculture, addressing the growing problem of pest resistance. Their approach could revolutionize how pesticides are designed, making the process faster and more targeted.
Key facts
- Bindwell, founded by Tyler Rose and Navvye Anand, has raised $6 million in a seed round, co-led by General Catalyst and A Capital, with a personal investment from Paul Graham.
- The startup is using AI to design new pesticide molecules in-house, rather than selling AI tools to traditional agrochemical companies.
- Pesticide use in agriculture has doubled over the last three decades, yet up to 40% of global crop production is still lost to pests and diseases.
- Bindwell’s AI suite includes models like Foldwell, PLAPT, and APPT, which are designed to reduce hallucination and improve the accuracy of pesticide discovery.
- The startup is currently testing its AI-generated molecules in a lab and is in early discussions with global agrochemical firms for potential partnerships.
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#agriculture #AI #bindingaffinity #drugdiscovery #innovation #paulgraham #pesticides #startups #TechCrunch #ycombinator
