Korean climate tech startup ORBICLE BIO has secured pre-seed funding from 500 Global. ORBICLE BIO specializes in developing microbial fertilizers that enhance rice farming productivity and promote the sustainability of farms and soil through advanced biotechnology. The global market for microbial fertilizers is expanding rapidly, growing at an annual rate of over 10%, driven by increasing demand for sustainable agricultural solutions.

ORBICLE BIO is focused on addressing the environmental challenges of rice farming while improving agricultural productivity, with a particular emphasis on the Southeast Asian markets of Vietnam and Thailand, where double and triple cropping is common. The company plans to produce microbial fertilizers that reduce carbon emissions from rice farming and promote crop growth by isolating and mass-culturing natural microorganisms. Research and development will take place in South Korea and Vietnam, with production expected to begin next year.

ORBICLE BIO’s CEO, Taek-yoon Lee, holds degrees from Princeton University and Stanford University and has extensive experience in the startup industry. The founding team includes life science experts from Indonesia and Vietnam, who bring deep local market knowledge and strong networks.

Eunhye Shin, an Investment Manager at 500 Global who led the investment, said, “We expect ORBICLE BIO to emerge as a category leader in the Asian microbial fertilizer market for rice farming, following the success of companies like NewLeaf and Pivot Bio in the U.S. market, where they have achieved significant success with microbial fertilizers focused on corn and soybeans.”