Funding will accelerate the commercialization of firm's pathogen surveillance technology, which provides whole-herd, non-invasive and routine molecular testing for swine producers.
DARO, the pioneering biotech company at the forefront of early disease detection in livestock, announced the successful completion of its $1.1 million seed round. The funding will accelerate the commercialization of DARO’s breakthrough pathogen surveillance technology, which provides whole-herd, non-invasive, and routine molecular testing for swine producers. This milestone marks a significant step forward in preventing devastating disease outbreaks before they happen.
“Livestock diseases like PRRSV cost the U.S. pork industry over $1.2 billion annually, yet existing surveillance methods are unreliable and reactive,” said Kristen Bernhard, founder and CEO of DARO. “DARO is changing that. With this investment, we are scaling our innovative testing system to help producers detect diseases early and act fast—saving millions in potential losses and protecting global protein supply chains.”
The funding round was led by Invest Nebraska, with participation from MOVE Venture Capital, Nebraska Angels and other angel investors.
"At MOVE Venture Capital, we invest in visionary teams tackling complex, high-impact challenges and DARO exemplifies that approach. Kristen Bernhard and her team bring unparalleled expertise in pathogen detection, biosecurity and livestock health—applying cutting-edge technology to a market with massive global implications. Being based in Nebraska, at the heart of the U.S. swine industry, uniquely positions DARO to lead the way in disease prevention where it matters most. The combination of DARO’s scientific leadership, innovative surveillance solutions, and a clear path to commercialization creates an incredible opportunity not just for investors, but for the entire agriculture and food production industry. We are thrilled to support DARO as they scale their groundbreaking approach to disease prevention, fundamentally transforming how livestock health is managed worldwide," said Charlie Cuddy, managing partner, MOVE Venture Capital.
Ben Williamson, principal at Invest Nebraska, also emphasized DARO’s critical role in advancing AgTech innovation. “DARO represents exactly the kind of high-impact innovation that Nebraska’s AgTech ecosystem needs. The team is tackling one of the most costly and persistent challenges in livestock production—disease outbreaks—with a completely new approach to pathogen surveillance. Their whole-herd, non-invasive testing solution has the potential to transform how producers detect and manage disease, saving millions while strengthening global food security," said Williamson. "At Invest Nebraska, we believe that world-changing AgTech startups can—and should—be built right here in the Midwest, and DARO is a prime example of that potential coming to life. We’re proud to support Kristen Bernhard and her team as they scale their groundbreaking technology and bring this critical solution to market.”
Building the future of biosecurity
The investment will fuel DARO’s expansion, including:
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Scaling its pilot programs with leading pork producers and veterinary teams.
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Advancing its proprietary disease forecasting and genomics platform.
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Expanding its team with top talent in molecular diagnostics and animal health.
“We are bringing the best of modern disease surveillance to animal agriculture,” said Josh DeMers, co-founder and COO of DARO. “With this funding, we’re taking DARO from pilot projects to industry-wide adoption, ensuring that every barn has access to fast, accurate, and actionable disease data.”
DARO’s work is particularly critical as new and emerging livestock diseases threaten global food security. By equipping producers with scalable, cost-effective monitoring tools, DARO is leading the charge in safeguarding animal health, protecting producer livelihoods and strengthening biosecurity worldwide.
Source - https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com
