Chromatin

About Chromatin

Chromatin, Inc. was an agricultural technology company focused on developing, producing, and distributing hybrid sorghum seeds. Founded in 2000 by Dr. Daphne Preuss, a molecular geneticist from the University of Chicago, the company was based on her research into engineering mini-chromosomes to create customized plants. Initially a research-focused entity, Chromatin pivoted its strategy after struggling to sell its technology, opting instead to become an integrated seed company. Preuss took over as CEO in 2007, shifting the company's focus to sorghum, a crop overlooked by major bioengineering firms but valued for its resilience and versatility.

The company's business model revolved around using its proprietary technologies, such as gene stacking and marker-assisted breeding, to create sorghum varieties with desirable traits like drought tolerance, higher yields, and improved nutritional value. These seeds catered to a range of markets, including animal feed, gluten-free foods, biofuels, and biopower. Chromatin's strategy included acquiring other seed companies, such as Sorghum Partners Inc. and Milo Genetics in 2010, to gain access to germplasm and established distribution networks. This allowed the company to sell seeds directly to farmers and distributors, expanding its presence to over 4 million acres across 20 countries. The firm also collaborated on research, including a multi-year partnership with the Sorghum Checkoff to develop higher-yielding hybrids.

Over its lifetime, Chromatin raised significant venture capital, totaling over $120 million from investors including Illinois Ventures, BP Alternative Energy, and Unilever Ventures. However, the company entered receivership and, in November 2018, its assets were acquired by S&W Seed Company for $26.5 million. S&W sought to integrate Chromatin's advanced sorghum hybrids and its research pipeline into its own portfolio of forage and specialty crops.