Tricia Carey Joins Avalo AI for Cotton Innovation

Biotechnology startup Avalo AI has named Tricia Carey as its Chief Commercial Officer to lead the company’s product strategy and market outreach.

Her appointment coincides with Avalo’s mission to scale a unique cotton innovation program in Texas, leveraging AI-driven crop development to create more sustainable, drought-tolerant cotton varieties.

From Fiber to Field: Carey Steps into Agriculture Leadership

Carey, previously a senior executive at textile sustainability leaders Lenzing and Renewcell, brings decades of industry knowledge to Avalo.

Her transition from textile fiber production to agricultural technology reflects a growing recognition of the need for sustainability at the raw material level.

She had already been consulting for Avalo prior to her official appointment, gaining insight into the company’s technical direction and market goals.

Avalo’s Approach: AI-Driven Genomics Meets Natural Pollination

Founded in 2020 by Brendan Collins and Mariano Alvarez, Avalo AI uses machine learning to identify desirable genetic traits in crops.

However, instead of direct genetic engineering, Avalo relies on bee-assisted cross-pollination to naturally introduce these traits in the field.

This strategy enables the development of high-performance, non-GMO crops tailored to local environmental pressures—especially valuable in drought-prone regions like the Texas panhandle.

Addressing the Texas Cotton Crisis

Texas, a major U.S. cotton producer, faces mounting environmental challenges.

Cotton cultivation has contributed to the depletion of the Ogallala aquifer, and many farms now operate on dryland with minimal irrigation. However, traditional cotton varieties have not adapted well to these conditions.

Farmers invest in seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides, only to experience partial crop failure mid-season. Avalo aims to replace these inefficient models with cotton that performs better under low-input, rainfed conditions.

Key Innovations in Cotton Development

Avalo’s AI-designed cotton is engineered to require fewer inputs while producing stronger, more resilient fiber. The approach holds promise for both environmental and commercial outcomes:

This aligns with major apparel brands’ objectives to reduce Scope 3 emissions, especially from raw materials and farming operations.

Funding, Scale, and Strategic Outlook

Currently, Avalo operates across 2,000 acres with 20 farmers, producing around 100 tons of cotton annually.

A recently closed $11 million Series A funding round, led by Germin8 Ventures, Alexandria Venture Investments, and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, will enable the company to scale output tenfold annually.

Carey’s leadership is expected to bridge scientific innovation with industry adoption, creating commercial channels for Avalo’s regenerative cotton across global supply chains.

Broader Implications: Agriculture Amid Policy and Climate Shifts

Avalo’s work gains urgency amid rising trade tariffs and escalating climate instability.

Recent U.S. tariffs on Canadian potash—a key fertilizer input—and increased costs for imported steel and aluminum (used in farming equipment) create further pressure on farmers to adopt cost-saving, climate-adaptive solutions.

Avalo AI is not just reimagining cotton—it’s rethinking the entire model for agricultural sustainability.

With an AI-powered approach rooted in genomic insight and natural pollination, and now with Tricia Carey leading its commercial expansion, the company is poised to address some of agriculture’s most pressing challenges—from climate adaptation to circular economy demands.

Avalo’s growing footprint in Texas may serve as a replicable model for sustainable cotton farming in other water-stressed regions worldwide.

For more news and insights, visit AI News on our website.