About

Apollon Crops produces novel, genetically stable cannabis varieties and propagating material (seeds). Genetic instability is the primary challenge facing the cannabis industry. Cannabis and hemp have not experienced breeding advancements for more than a century due to prohibition of the plant. Growers have been using seeds that, despite being from the same "strain," develop into plants with radically different physical characteristics, blooming periods, and flowers that contain fluctuating amounts of active ingredients. As a consequence, cannabis' genetic volatility causes the following issues: -Lack of consistency: Unstable heredity produces erratic outcomes. -Higher costs of propagation practices: Cloning needs significant manpower and space for growth, and carries storage and logistics disadvantages. -Lack of phytochemical standardization: Cannabinoid and terpene amounts vary widely, leading to subpar outcomes and destroyed crops. -Lack of dependability: Quality and growth are irregular and susceptible to changes in the environment.

Solution & Product

Apollon Crops employs cutting-edge technological breeding techniques in combination with data science/bioinformatics, in order to create novel cannabis varieties that are uniform and stable and are appropriate for particular market segments. Our advanced breeding system creates seeds that are exceptional because they are genetically standardized, with superior agronomic characteristics and increased output effectiveness. We make it possible for ideal genetics to be used in the bulk production of seeds, resulting in uniformity, stability, and repeatable results. Growers know exactly what to expect from their crops and how to manage them.

Innovation & Scalability

Our Cannabis Genetic Library contains 200+ proprietary strains and landraces sourced globally, possessing unique physical and chemical traits that are a result of growing in their particular environment. DISCOVER: To create the most successful plants, we investigate our genetic library using computational methods to determine which genes are accountable for a desired characteristic. CREATE: We use molecular (genetic) markers to choose plants with established characteristics for our breeding program. This makes it possible for us to create new varieties more rapidly, enabling them to achieve their full genetic potential while growing in controlled settings. VALIDATE: We field-validate the novel plants with enhanced traits. Our breeding platform is fed and strengthened using the data that was gathered. And the cycle repeats.

Traction & achievements

Apollon Crops has already achieved to be granted by the Greek Government a License to establish facilities for the cultivation of medicinal cannabis species (December 2021). This License is an absolute legal prerequisite before a company is allowed to engage in any business activities that involve the production and sales of cannabis starting material (seeds). The right of Apollon Crops to commence cannabis breeding and propagating material production and sales has also been verified by a corresponding official opinion by the Greek Ministry of Agriculture.

Team & Why Us

Our DNA marker-assisted-selection methods speed up the traditional breeding cycle and have the potential to disrupt the cannabis genetics market. We only need to consider maize and tomatoes as examples of the advantages of superior genetics. Genetically superior maize seeds have boosted corn production by over 700% since their debut almost 90 years ago. Similarly, genetically superior tomato seeds were developed in the late 1960s and have since increased tomato production by over 300%. Our business model is designed to be quickly scaled up and expanded worldwide. Once our first genetically superior varieties are produced we will be licensing our genetics via strategic partnerships to certified cannabis nurseries in international markets. These nurseries will act as our international distributor in their corresponding market, and will become our local production and sales node. Team Antonis Karatzas Founder and CEO at Apollon Crops B.Sc. Biochemistry, M.Sc. Genetics, McGill University Canada Responsible for daily operations and business development

Funding Needs

Apollon Crops is looking for seed funding to kickstart its operations