About Agustin Büchert
Agustin Büchert, a biotechnology Ph.D. and MBA, is one of the co-founders and the Chief Science Officer at ClearLeaf. In his role, he contributes to the development of sustainable, safe, and innovative crop protection solutions! Keep reading to learn more about Agustin and ClearLeaf’s mission!
About ClearLeaf
ClearLeaf is a US-based company operating from Costa Rica, dedicated to launching “GotaBlanca”: a sustainable, innovative, and safe fungicide and bactericide for agricultural use. Costa Rica serves as an ideal launch platform for agtech startups due to its rich biodiversity, cultivation of over 4,000 agricultural products, and favorable climate conditions – making it a prime location for testing new agricultural technologies and practices. However, as row crops and cold weather crops are not as common as in Fargo, the Startup Plots offered by Grand Farm piqued our interest and worked as our connection point to Fargo and AgTech Week.
Tell us about your company and your mission.
“ClearLeaf develops and sells GotaBlanca, a non-toxic agricultural product that controls pathogens, reduces fertilizer usage, and is compatible with regenerative agriculture. We produce the active ingredient in-house, while a contract manufacturer creates the final product. ClearLeaf secures registrations, validates effectiveness, and generates demand from clients and distribution partners, the product is sold through agrochemical distributors at a competitive price, maintaining a healthy gross margin for the company.”
What are some wins you are celebrating?
“Over the past year, several significant achievements have been realized. Notably, new market registrations for GotaBlanca have been secured in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama, alongside the initial registration in Costa Rica, resulting in purchase orders from all these countries. Additionally, GotaBlanca’s effectiveness for postharvest applications has been demonstrated, generating strong market demand, particularly for fresh produce exports, with ongoing discussions with a large pineapple exporter. A successful trial with Walmart in Costa Rica revealed that GotaBlanca increased onion yield by 6-8% and improved quality by 17% compared to current pesticides, leading Walmart to officially recommend GotaBlanca to their onion and tomato suppliers.”
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned throughout your entrepreneurial journey?
“As a cofounder of ClearLeaf, the most critical lesson I’ve learned is the importance of adaptability and resilience. From constantly adapting to different farming practices, market demands, and regulations, to persisting through challenges and setbacks, these qualities have been instrumental in our progress and success.”
ClearLeaf is officially a part of the Fargo-Moorhead founder family. How can our community support you in your next stage of growth?
“Assistance is being sought in several key areas. First, fundraising efforts are underway for a $4.0 million Series Seed priced round, with $2.3 million already secured and an active search for the remaining $1.7 million to close the round. Additionally, there is an openness to discussions with potential distribution partners worldwide to expand market reach and enhance customer service. Lastly, there is a keen interest in opportunities to conduct field trials in unexplored crops or farming practices, which will help expand data sets and demonstrate the effectiveness of the products in various agricultural settings.”
What are you grateful for today?
“I am truly thrilled and grateful for the incredible opportunity to participate in AgTech Week. As a cofounder of an agtech startup, I am excited to immerse myself in an environment filled with like-minded individuals who share similar experiences and challenges. This event presents a fantastic chance to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, share our stories, and learn from one another’s successes and setbacks. Moreover, as someone who has never ventured this far north on the American continent, I am eagerly looking forward to exploring a new place and embracing the unique experiences that come with it.”
Readers can learn more about Agustin Büchert and ClearLeaf by visiting his LinkedIn page or website!
