Technology
Durham Startups Use Gene-Editing and Navigation Tech to Transform Food and Movement
Firms like Pairwise and Archaius apply CRISPR-Cas9 and positioning tools that tie directly into daily routines around meals and transit in the city.
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How we reported this
Durham-based agtech firm Pairwise has raised $115 million in private funds and uses CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to develop new fruit varieties like bananas and coffee.
The city's startup ecosystem ranks #45 globally and #18 in North America, with a focus on deep tech industries including biotech, healthcare, and manufacturing. This standing highlights how local companies concentrate on tools that intersect with routine activities such as grocery purchases and commuting patterns.
Gene Editing Targets Common Produce
Pairwise applies its funding to alter traits in bananas and coffee through CRISPR-Cas9. These changes target characteristics that reach residents via supermarket shelves and coffee shops, where altered varieties could adjust flavor profiles or availability without requiring new supply chains.
Teamworks leads Durham startups in funding with over $422 million raised, while other major players include FlexGen (energy storage) and Restor3d (personalized medical implants). The broader ecosystem supports such work by channeling capital into biotech applications that extend beyond labs into consumer products.
Navigation Funding Supports Local Positioning
Navigation firm Archaius, founded in Durham in 2019, raised $1.1 million in funding and seeks an additional $1.5 million, backed by U.S. Department of Defense awards. Its systems focus on precise location data that can integrate with apps used for daily travel across neighborhoods.
Innovate Durham, a 16-week cohort program for startups to pilot innovations with local government, closed its 2025-2026 application cycle on August 11, 2025. The program structure allowed selected firms to test technologies in real municipal settings, creating pathways for tools like navigation aids to appear in public services.
Residents can monitor announcements from the listed companies and the Innovate Durham site for updates on available products or future participation opportunities tied to these developments.