Miraterra Acquires Trace Genomics to Power the Future of Soil-to-Table Intelligence
In a major step toward transforming agricultural diagnostics, Miraterra Technologies, a soil insights company based in Vancouver, Canada, has officially acquired the technology, intellectual property, and product portfolio of Trace Genomics, a pioneering soil biology startup.
The deal also includes Trace’s state-of-the-art soil analysis lab in Ames, Iowa, which will now serve as Miraterra’s U.S. hub for operations, R&D, and customer service. The acquisition was publicly announced on July 8, 2025, and marks a defining milestone in Miraterra’s expansion into full-spectrum soil intelligence.
Unlocking Measurement Across Soil, Plants, and Food
Founded on the belief that agriculture must be both profitable and sustainable, Miraterra combines hardware, software, and scientific tools to make soil health measurable, predictable, and actionable.
By acquiring Trace Genomics, which built one of the world’s most advanced genomics-based soil testing platforms, Miraterra is now uniquely positioned to offer an integrated view of soil conditions — from biological to mineral to physical layers. This enables farmers, agronomists, and food companies to make data-driven decisions that improve yield, quality, and environmental stewardship.
“Trace built a powerful foundation of soil biology and genomics. Combined with Miraterra’s capabilities in mineralogy, spectroscopy, and AI-powered diagnostics, we’re setting the new standard for soil health analytics,” said Nate Kelly, CEO of Miraterra.
What the Acquisition Includes
- All Intellectual Property of Trace Genomics, including its proprietary DNA-based soil biology database
- Commercial products and digital tools built by Trace
- Iowa-based soil testing laboratory, which will continue to operate and expand as Miraterra’s U.S. center
- Key Trace team members retained to support continuity and long-term strategy
This acquisition allows Miraterra to serve a broader base of customers, from regenerative farmers to large food brands seeking traceability and soil-carbon impact measurement.
Why It Matters
- Integrated Soil Intelligence: Most existing platforms focus on a single layer (chemical or biological). Miraterra now integrates genomics, mineral content, moisture, structure, and carbon into one unified diagnostic system.
- Faster, Scalable Diagnostics: With Trace’s legacy products and Miraterra’s proprietary Raman spectroscopy and AI tools, diagnostic time is reduced, and cost-efficiency improves — making high-quality testing more accessible to growers.
- Carbon & Sustainability Tracking: The combined data streams empower companies to verify carbon programs, manage regenerative certifications, and support climate-smart farming.
“This is more than a tech acquisition — it’s about giving the food system tools to understand soil health like never before,” added Kelly.
Backed by Visionaries
Miraterra is supported by prominent investors and technologists including:
- Tom Chi (former Google X founding team)
- Dan Culhane, former President & CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce
- Miles Sorel, COO at Miraterra and agtech industry leader
Together, the leadership envisions a future where farmers are rewarded not just for what they grow, but for how they grow it — rooted in verified soil health data.
A New Chapter in AgriTech
This acquisition signals a broader industry shift — from fragmented soil data to connected, outcome-oriented intelligence. As supply chains demand proof of regenerative practices and consumers push for transparency, platforms like Miraterra + Trace are poised to become central to the agri-food economy.
Source: PR Newswire Article