Loam Bio: The Orange, NSW Startup Using AI and Microbiology to Store Carbon in Australian Soil
Loam Bio is an Orange, New South Wales AgTech startup working at the intersection of microbiology, AI, and agriculture to sequester carbon in farming soils at scale. Founded in 2019 by Guy Hudson and Tegan Nock, Loam has raised over $72 million from investors including DCVC, Lowercarbon Capital, and Australian VC funds — making it one of the most well-funded AgTech startups to emerge from regional Australia.
What Loam Bio Does
Loam’s core technology is a seed coating that introduces specific mycorrhizal fungi into agricultural soils. These fungi help plants transfer more carbon into the ground — a process called biological carbon sequestration. Loam uses AI and machine learning to analyse soil microbiome data at scale, identify which microbial strains are most effective in different soil types and climates, and measure the carbon sequestration outcomes for each farm. Farmers who use Loam’s technology can generate verified carbon credits, creating a new revenue stream while improving soil health and long-term productivity.
Why It Matters for Australian Farmers and Small Agribusinesses
Soil carbon is emerging as one of the most significant opportunities for Australian farmers in the coming decade. The Clean Energy Regulator’s soil carbon method allows Australian producers to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) for measurable increases in soil organic carbon — and companies like Loam are making it practical to achieve those increases at a commercial scale. For farming businesses, this represents a genuine opportunity to diversify income while also improving the long-term productivity of their land.
Key Facts
- Founded: 2019
- Headquarters: Orange, New South Wales
- Founders: Guy Hudson, Tegan Nock
- Raised: $72M+
- Category: AgTech / AI soil carbon sequestration
- Website: loambio.com
Related: Australian AI Companies: The Complete Guide by Industry (2026) | How a Regional NSW Vet Clinic Uses AI for Reminders and Aftercare Follow-Up
This profile is part of SmallBizAI.au’s guide to Australian AI companies by industry and our Australian AI Companies directory.
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