VARADA

Harnessing the Power of Nature’s RNAi for Crop Protection

 

Varada Agriculture uses targeted RNA interference (RNAi) to precisely neutralize harmful pests —without harming beneficial species. The result?

Healthier harvests, cleaner fields, safer food, 
and a better future for both animals and people.

Our Solutions
VARADA
The RNAi Solution
The RNAi Solution

Varada’s RNAi product only targets the pest, disrupting its ability to grow

Varada’s RNAi technology uses nature’s own gene-slicing mechanism to precisely shut down vital genes in pest and pathogens without harming beneficial organisms, the crop, or the environment. It’s targeted, biodegradable, and safe by design.

Why Varada?

A breakthrough in pest control: highly targeted, safe for the environment, and built for the future.

New mode of action

dsRNA molecules pair with the pest’s mRNA to essentially neutralize it and prevent pest growth.

Sustainable

There is low risk of resistance development and molecule can be modified with evolving pests.

Biodegradable

There is low environmental persistence, low residue on crop, low risk to workers and consumers.

Targeted Pest Control

The Varada solution is specifically designed pest by pest. There is no impact on any other living organism.

Non-GM Technology

Genome is not edited or modified.

Why Varada

Meet Our Team

Jyoti Taneja
Jyoti Taneja
Founder, CEO, Board Director
Jyoti has over 20 years of experience in AgBiotech space and has used RNAi technology in multiple crops to improve agriculture traits. Her expertise spans plant-fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens. She has a track record of translating lab innovations into field-ready solutions. She is driven by a passion to create farmer-friendly technologies that deliver real-world agricultural impact.
Kevin Hammill
Kevin Hammill
Co-Founder, Board Chair
With over 25 years of executive leadership in crop protection, plant nutrition, chemistry, biology, and synthetic biology, Kevin brings deep commercial insight to Varada Agriculture. His expertise in market development, strategic planning, and business scaling plays a key role in advancing Varada’s growth. Leveraging a broad industry network, Kevin drives impactful partnerships that accelerate innovation and adoption in the agricultural sector.
Mary Wildermuth
Mary Wildermuth
Co-Founder, Board Director
Mary is an Associate Professor of Microbiology at the University of California at Berkeley, and a co-founder. With over 25 years of experience in plant-microbe interactions using molecular genetics and biochemical approaches, she is a recognized leader in the field of plant defense mechanisms. She earned her  Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and completed her Postdoc at Harvard Medical School.
Shiv Tiwari
Shiv Tiwari
Chief Technology Advisor
Shiv is a biotechnology leader with over two decades of experience spanning agriculture, health, food, and feed ingredients. He specializes in strategic alliances, IP strategy, portfolio management, and investment advisory. Known for leading cross-functional teams and launching novel ingredient businesses, Shiv brings scientific expertise in transcriptional biology, gene editing, and cellular differentiation.
Anne French
Anne French
Strategic Brand Advisor
With over 25 years of experience in building and commercializing brands—from Fortune 500 to startups—Anne provides strategic brand development and in-market success. Her expertise in the innovative natural foods sector, she has helped shape category-defining brands in fresh, refrigerated and center of store categories. Known for bridging creativity with commercial impact, she drives brand growth through a deep understanding of market dynamics and consumer behavior.
Ajit Narwal
Ajit Narwal
Business Advisor
After graduating from University of California at Berkeley with an MBA, Ajit has spent the last 10 years in deep tech, having held diverse roles across multiple startups. His expertise lies in driving 0-to-1 strategy and executing early-stage initiatives, helping companies navigate from concept to market traction. With a strong foundation in both business and technology, he excels at building from scratch and scaling innovations in high-growth environments.

Latest News

06/20/2025
Varada Agriculture at Salinas Biological Summit

We will be at the Salinas Biological Summit in Woodland, CA on June 24–25.

This summit brings together growers, researchers, and companies working on biological solutions in agriculture. We’re looking forward to conversations around current challenges in the field.

Our team Shiv Tiwari and Anne French will be there. If you're attending, come say hello or check out our LinkedIn post for more details.

06/10/2025
2 Years with Activate

Varada recently completed two years with Activate, a deep tech fellowship program supporting scientists as they turn research into real-world solutions.

This experience provided time, space, and support to transition from academia to establishing a company focused on developing RNAi biologicals for the Ag industry. We’re grateful for the guidance, flexibility, and connections this opportunity has offered along the way.

Thank you to the Activate team and community!

See the LinkedIn post for more.

Contact
Connect with Us

Our friendly team would love to hear from you.

2416 McGee Ave Suite A Berkeley, CA 94703

617-818-0763
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