1 May 2025
Hoofprint Biome Inc. co-founders Dr Kathryn Polkoff and Dr Scott Collins.
Industry-government partnership AgriZeroNZ is investing an additional US $5 million (approx. NZ $8.7M) in Hoofprint Biome Inc., a US company developing natural enzymes and probiotics to improve cattle health while significantly reducing methane.
AgriZeroNZ chief executive Wayne McNee says the follow-on investment underscores the importance of natural, microbiome solutions in its $61 million investment portfolio as part of its efforts to provide farmers with a range of affordable, effective mitigation solutions.
“We invested in Hoofprint Biome Inc. at an early stage because we saw its potential to develop a powerful emissions reduction tool to help Kiwi farmers meet market demands for lower emissions products, with the added benefit of productivity gains.
“The team has since made a number of exciting technical breakthroughs and is aiming to launch its first product for dairy cows in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.”
The Series A funding round saw a host of global venture capital firms come onboard including SOSV, Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, Alexandria Venture Investments, and Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Fellows. The round was led by SOSV with an increased company valuation, boosting AgriZeroNZ’s initial investment.
“We’re pleased to see reputable VCs come on board and ultimately give the team the best chance of bringing their product to market,” says McNee.
Dr. Kathryn Polkoff, Hoofprint Biome Inc. co-founder and CEO, says this boost in funding will enable the company to fast track its product development, with animal trials in New Zealand planned for early next year.
The enzyme blend, which would be mixed into supplementary feed, aims to reduce enteric methane emissions by over 80 per cent while simultaneously improving digestion to increase milk and meat yield by over 5 per cent.
Animals would only need to be fed one mouthful per day, making it easy to use with in-shed or pasture-based supplementary feeding systems.
Polkoff says the enzymes reduce methane emissions in cattle by re-shaping the rumen microbiome.
“These enzymes can prevent methane from being released in the rumen while also increasing nutrient flows to the animal.
Dr. Kathryn Polkoff
Polkoff says their approach is unique because it’s based on nature’s own tools.
“Enzymes and probiotics are digested by the animal, leaving no milk or meat residues. We think these products will build on the strengths of Kiwi farm systems in sustainability and efficiency.”
Hoofprint Biome Inc. is also working on a probiotic-based delivery method for its enzymes, which could reduce dosing frequency to weekly or even monthly, making it a practical option for beef and dairy farmers who don’t feed supplements daily.
McNee says these types of microbiome solutions are an important part of its expanding investment portfolio, which also includes a methane-inhibiting bolus, vaccines, and low-emissions pasture.
“We’re investing in a range of potential mitigation solutions to give us the best chance of providing farmers with options so they can choose what’s best for their farm.
“Getting these tools into farmers’ hands is critical to help safeguard the future of New Zealand’s primary sector and export economy,” says McNee.
Hoofprint Biome Inc. is now AgriZeroNZ’s largest investment to date, totalling US $7.5 million (approx. NZ $13M).
Other investors in Hoofprint Biome Inc.’s funding round included existing seed investors Good Growth Capital, Twynam, and Ponderosa Ventures.
