About us
Tech Leaders Cultivating Tomorrow's Food and Agriculture
The business model of iQB Agrosciences, LLC was established as a technology platform that generates agricultural inputs (biostimulants, biopestiscides, phytoregulators, bioencapsulated nutrients, nanofertilizers, etc.)
The current ownership has a clear commitment to biotechnology innovation and improved competitiveness in the sectors in which they find themselves.
iQB Agroscience’s regenerative solutions combine improved agricultural health and increased farmer income.
iQB Agroscience’s goal is to help catalyze a global regenerative agriculture movement.
Vision
Leveraging biotechnology to create a more sustainable world.
Mission
It is a commitment
…that allows customers to grow their business.
…that creates an attractive investment for shareholders.
…that helps a growing world in urgent need of answers.
We are here to unlock growth – powered by unparalleled biotech, powered by purpose.
Values
Triple Win
Improved farm health, soil carbon sequestration, and farmer productivity.
Efficacy
Conducted field trials in >15 different crops in >10 countries, with strong results.
Transversal
Most of our products work in the soil, which means they don’t need to be customized to each crop.
This “transversal” characteristic of our technologies translates into lower R&D and faster scaling.
US National Science Foundation Research Grant.
Intellectual Property –robust patent generation activity and wide network of partnerships with key Universities and research institutions.
Portfolio – 9 products, 3 products under development.
World Class Agronomic Team.
Our Team
Our team is made up of people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. This diversity enriches us as a team and allows us to approach challenges from a wide range of angles.
A team passionate about excellence
Delighted to introduce you to the incredible people who make up our dynamic team. Each of them brings a unique set of skills, diverse experiences and a shared passion for excellence. Together, we are committed to:
- Promote innovation
- Deliver exceptional results
- Create an inspiring work environment
- A diverse and talented team
We believe in the power of teamwork
We know that individual success is impossible without team success. We work together collaboratively, sharing knowledge and supporting each other to achieve common goals.
We love what we do
We are a team passionate about what we do. We are motivated by challenges and enjoy working together to create a positive impact.
We are here for you
We are committed to providing you with the best service possible. If you have any questions or need help, do not hesitate to contact us.
ceo & chief science officer
José Antonio de Cote
Founder of iQB. Awarded by the National Sciences Foundation of the United States of America. He has a long history of leadership positions in both US and European biotech companies, always focused on agricultural innovations and have successfully developed and commercialized a wide range of innovative biotech products. He has received his formal education in biochemistry (Univ. de Córdoba) and in agribusiness management (Santelmo Business School).
Chief business officer
Jesús Hernández Rubio
With a PhD in Economics and more than 20 years of expertise in business management, he is currently Chief Strategy Officer and Business Development Manager of Beyond Seeds Biotech Group, as well as Professor at the University of Almeria in the Business and Economics Department.
FINANCIAL & investment ADVISOR
Hugo Ruiz-Taboada
Hugo Ruiz-Taboada is the CFO of Typhoon Offshore, part of Grupo Salinas’ energy division. With extensive experience in private equity, strategic consulting, and turnarounds, Hugo previously served as Executive Director at Grupo Salinas and Associate Partner at McKinsey. As CFO, he led a significant turnaround, increasing revenue by $140 million and EBITDA by $18 million. He managed a team of over 600, overseeing strategy, FP&A, capital allocation, and tax planning. Hugo also drove M&A activities with $165 million in capital investments. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is fluent in Spanish, French, English, and Portuguese.
chief operating officer
Marcel Barbier
Dr. Barbier is a soil-plant scientist with over 20 years of experience in product development for both conventional and organic markets. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, a master’s in Crop Protection in International Commerce, and a Doctorate in Soil and Plant Science with a minor in Plant Health Management. He has worked with various crops and for major companies like Chiquita, Monsanto, Bayer, Syngenta, Stockton, and Rio Tinto. In 2010, he founded a consultancy to help companies develop and launch products. Known for his high work ethic, Dr. Barbier is acclaimed for assessing products and teaching farmers how to improve soil health and crop yield. As COO, he turns ideas into profitable realities through a reliable follow-up system.
Sales Director (USA)
Walter Hechenbleikner
Horticulturist with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Clemson University. After completing over 10 years of service within the US Army Special Operations Command, returned to the green industry. Performed in both sales and operations over the last 20 years with national landscape maintenance and nursery companies. Most recently directed sales for the east division of Locus Agricultural Solutions selling microbial solutions for agricultural crops.
Research and Development Director
Mathew Starr
Matthew is a dedicated Trial and Research Manager with experience managing diverse field and laboratory trials on agronomically important crops, specializing in applying biostimulants and biologicals to improve yield and production systems while preserving the agroecosystem. His work has equipped him with the unique ability to advocate for innovative crop and seed solutions, driving a positive triple bottom line for farmers. He brings extensive experience in research, grant writing, trial design, and stakeholder communication, honed through his diverse roles throughout the industry. Matthew’s leadership skills, developed during his service in the United States Army and North Carolina Army National Guard, allow him to manage complex projects effectively and with flexibility. He is passionate about advancing agricultural practices that enhance both farmer profitability and environmental sustainability.
Advisory Board
Our Advisory Board brings together a diverse group of industry leaders, seasoned professionals, and visionaries dedicated to guiding our strategic direction. With their vast experience and expertise, they provide invaluable insights and advice, ensuring we stay at the forefront of innovation and excellence.
Specialist in BioControl - University of Salamanca Professor
Enrique Monte, PhD
A pioneer in Trichoderma-based biocontrol, Enrique completed his PhD in 1986 and developed Spain’s first registered Trichoderma formulation. Leading an internationally recognized research group, his work focuses on Trichoderma-plant interactions, functional genomics, and heritable plant defense mechanisms. His groundbreaking research is published in top journals like Nature Reviews Microbiology and Annual Review of Phytopathology. Listed among Stanford’s «World’s Top 2% Scientists,» he currently explores biocontrol and biostimulation overlap in plants, aiming to develop Trichoderma-based small RNA vaccines in his latest funded project.
Specialist in BioSciences - Marketing & Sales Executive
Carlos Martín
Carlos Martin is the Chief Commercial Operations and Revenue Officer at Rocket Pharma. Previously, he was the U.S. Commercial Head of Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA), a Novartis Oncology Company, where he led commercial strategy and product launches. Carlos has held roles at Novartis in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Asia, developing commercial strategy and operations in various disease areas. He holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from ESADE and the Polytechnic University of Barcelona, and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management. He is dedicated to enhancing patient lives through scientific advancements.
Specialist in Biostimulant – University of Sevilla Professor
Juan Parrado, PhD
Juan focuses on developing bioprocesses and valorizing organic by-products for biofertilizers and bio-stimulants. Their work has led to industrial applications and the generation of cutting-edge technology for circular economy bioprocesses. They have directed over 20 research projects funded by various agencies, including the European Commission H2020 and the Ministry of Education and Science. Collaborating with companies like Heineken Spain and Symborg, they have developed patents and conducted over 20 research contracts. They have published more than 140 articles in high-impact journals and regularly review articles for SCI journals.
Board Director
We are pleased to welcome him to our board director. His extensive experience in corporate governance, business, and corporate policy, along with a deep understanding of ESG principles, will be invaluable as we navigate the complex landscape of biotechnology innovation. His insights into corporate policy, stakeholder management and corporate responsibility will be critical to our growth and success.
Antonio López
Antonio Lopez serves as Investment Director for KBIS Capital, overseeing global capital raising and investor relations for the real estate focused private equity firm. He has a 20-year track record managing projects and transactions in 30 countries across over a dozen industry sectors. His experience covers the fields of Investment Management, Strategy Consulting, ESG, and Corporate Development. His most recent activities have focused on venture capital and private equity in Fintech, Agri-Food Tech, and emerging sustainable technologies. Antonio holds a BA in Economics from the University of Miami, and a joint MBA from NYU Stern, The London School of Economics, and HEC Paris. He is also an alumnus of Columbia Business School and serves as a member and advisor to several boards of directors.
Manuel Martín
With two decades of experience, Manuel Martín has spearheaded investment activities totaling over $8 billion, including direct investments, mergers & acquisitions, and joint ventures, across the United States and Europe. His expertise encompasses structuring large portfolio deals and pioneering investment platforms and teams. Manuel has excelled in capital raising for individual investments and long-term mandates, securing both equity and debt support in various jurisdictions.
Previously, Manuel led the Iberian operations for Nuveen, later ascending to head the Retail Global division based in Miami. As an integral member of the Nuveen Investment Committee and the Executive Leadership Team, he contributed significantly to the firm’s growth over the last decade.
Óscar Luzuriaga
Oscar has over 30 years of experience in banking, with a focus on agro-industrial supply chains in Latin America and the United States. His expertise in the food system and product development has significantly impacted agribusiness in countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Central America, and others. He has held roles ranging from Country Manager to Managing Director, driving growth and innovation.
Currently, he leads new business development at LAAD, an agricultural financial institution in Latin America supported by global agribusiness companies and international banks. His background in agronomy and business management has contributed to the expansion of LAAD’s portfolio across 18 countries.
Oscar currently serves on advisory boards at Zamorano University, the University of Miami, San Telmo, and other private companies.
Gonzalo Pardo de Zela
Gonzalo is an Executive Consultant at Forefront Solutions advising on deal structures and providing practical and innovative solutions for a wide range of corporate and financial transactions, particularly involving distribution channels in the US and Latin America markets. He was the head of Legal and Compliance Latin America for two divisions of General Electric for over 10 years. Prior to joining GE, Gonzalo was an attorney at the law firm of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, New York Office. Gonzalo has extensive experience in working with executive management teams in all areas pertaining to corporate legal and compliance matters.
Gonzalo holds Master’s Degree from New York University School of law and is a member of the New York bar. He has lectured at legal programs on doing business in Latin America and has served as officer of several Latin American companies.
Our Collaborators
iQB Agrosciences is a spinoff of Beyond Seeds Biotech Group. Research and technological development are basic pillars with which to offer solutions to the agri-food and health sector. To do this, we collaborate with universities, public and private research centers and other companies to generate new scientific knowledge that improves the lives of plants and people.
