Vancouver-based agtech company Miraterra has acquired the assets of California’s Trace Genomics, including its intellectual property, commercial product suite, and an advanced soil analysis lab in Ames, Iowa.
The strategic acquisition combines two cutting-edge platforms to accelerate innovation in soil-to-table measurement—enhancing agricultural performance and promoting global soil health through next-generation diagnostics.
“Integrating Trace’s technology, lab, and team accelerates our mission to scale breakthrough measurement tools across the agricultural value chain,” said Nate Kelly, CEO of Miraterra. “We’re making advanced testing more accessible, useful, and trusted—from soil health to food systems.”
Founded in the Bay Area, Trace Genomics pioneered DNA-based soil testing to uncover the biological complexity beneath the surface. Its platform enabled growers and agronomists to assess soil microbiomes and apply targeted recommendations to boost yield, sustainability, and profitability.
“I’m excited to see Trace operational again,” said Miles Sorel, CEO of Terraforma and longtime Trace customer. “Soil genomics is on the verge of transforming farm economics and the long-term health of our soil.”
Miraterra is known for its breakthroughs in Raman spectroscopy, a non-invasive technique that delivers rapid chemical and structural analysis of soil, plants, and food. By combining Trace’s biological insights with its own mineralogical and hydrological data, Miraterra now offers a more complete and cost-effective view of soil health.
“Miraterra has dramatically improved the scope and depth of Raman spectroscopy,” said Tom Chi, founding partner at At One Ventures, an early investor in Miraterra. “With Trace Genomics, they now cover the full spectrum of soil health—mineral, water, and biology—at a fraction of the traditional cost.”
In the short term, Miraterra will focus on maintaining service for existing Trace customers while expanding its platform to new markets. Central to that effort is the Ames, Iowa lab team, whose technical expertise and institutional knowledge will continue to drive the company’s measurement capabilities.
“Miraterra’s expansion underscores Ames’ role as a research and innovation hub,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. “The lab not only creates high-quality jobs and attracts top-tier talent—it sparks collaboration across industry, academia, and startups.”
With this acquisition, Miraterra is positioning itself as the leading technology platform for integrated measurement across soil, plants, and food—helping farmers, researchers, and supply chains unlock insights that drive productivity and sustainability from the ground up.
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