University of Minnesota spin-off Jord BioScience has officially brought its groundbreaking research from the lab to the field, launching its first commercial biostimulant, 9311, and winning "Biological Crop Input Solution of the Year" in the 2026 AgTech Breakthrough Awards.
Co-founded by CFANS Plant Pathology Professor Linda Kinkel, Jord was launched with the support of UMN’s Technology Commercialization team, which helped secure local investment and translate decades of USDA- and NSF-funded research into a market-ready agricultural solution.
By deploying cooperative microbial teams that activate native soil biology, Jord’s technology boosts soybean yields by an average of 2.6 bushels per acre and delivers an unprecedented 80 percent win rate across extreme weather conditions.
This milestone directly benefits Minnesota by keeping high-tech biotechnology jobs in the Twin Cities, protecting the state’s agricultural economy, and demonstrating the incredible strength of UMN’s Tech Comm ecosystem—joining over 300 UMN startups that deliver high survival rates, strong ROI on public research, and real-world impact.
Learn more about Jord BioScience and this award-winning innovation: