Our Mission

To empower growers to protect their crop from frost by providing an environmentally friendly encapsulation spray coupled with an intelligent decision support system.

Our Story

Founded by a team of industry experts with deep roots in plant stress physiology, viticulture, and material science, FrostDefense is built on over three decades of experience in agricultural innovation. Our founder, Dr. Manfredo J. Seufferheld, grew up in Mendoza, the heart of Argentina’s wine country, where his family’s legacy in botany and winemaking inspired him to dedicate his career to addressing agricultural and environmental challenges. We are working to empower growers to protect their crop from frost by providing an environmentally friendly encapsulation spray coupled with an intelligent decision support system.

Cost of Early Spring Frost

50% loss of budding crops
$7B+ annual loss for grape growers alone
$2-$4 B addressable crop protection market

Problems with Conventional Solutions

Current mitigation solutions are not sustainable
$18k+ / acre spent annually on propane for cherries
More than 1 Billion kg of CO2 released annually

The Problem

Our core innovation, FrostDefender™, is a proprietary encapsulation spray designed for dormant grape vines to delay bud break and enhance cold hardiness. This breakthrough product uses plant-based polymers to create a protective barrier, improving resistance to frost by up to 6°C, delaying bud break by up to 14 days, and remains adhered to the vine for up to 45 days.

FrostDefender™ is effective and eco-friendly, with a formulation that is non-toxic and biodegradable. By providing growers with a solution that blends sustainability with science, we empower them to reduce crop losses and maintain high-value yields, even in the face of increasingly unpredictable spring weather patterns.

Our Solution

Leading the Way

We work closely with farmers, industry advisors, and distributors to implement our solutions, ensuring that every grower has the tools they need to succeed. With a global market for frost protection, and field-proven results, FrostDefenseis committed to leading the way in creating a more resilient agricultural future.

PARTNERS

AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO

Meet the Team

With expertise is science, agriculture, and company building, our team is building a more sustainable future for viticulture and other fruit crops.

Founder, President, & CSO

Manfredo Seufferheld

Dr. Manfredo Seufferheld brings 30 years of expertise in agriculture, plant stress physiology, and organismal interactions, with deep roots in viticulture as part of a family of winemakers. With over 100 publications and multiple patent applications, he has a strong scientific foundation for tackling the challenges of agribusiness and climate variability. His prior entrepreneurial ventures further equip him to lead FrostDefense Envirotech as CSO, driving the development of cutting-edge solutions to mitigate the growing risks of spring frost intensified by climate change. His leadership and expertise position FrostDefense at the forefront of sustainable innovation in vineyard and orchard frost protection.

CEO

Daphne Preuss

Daphne Preuss brings unparalleled leadership to FrostDefense as CEO, leveraging her 11 years of experience as the founding CEO of an agricultural company that scaled to $40 million in revenue. With a proven track record of driving multiple startups to high-value outcomes, raising $250 million in funding and achieving $90 million in successful exits, Daphne’s expertise positions FrostDefense for exceptional growth and success. Her ability to guide companies from inception to impactful market presence is a cornerstone of FrostDefense’s mission to revolutionize frost protection in agriculture.

COO

Magnus Andersson

Magnus Andersson is an experienced deep tech founder and executive leader with domain expertise in advanced materials and chemical related industries. He leverages a strong technical and engineering background with a relentless focus on execution, action planning and accountability. Magnus is a previous Co-Founder of Autonomic Materials, Inc., an advanced materials company, where he was responsible for business development and technical marketing, supporting the new product launch by a top 10 coatings brand and securing over $15M in funding. In his role with FrostDefense, Magnus uses his focused approach to ensure alignment and progress toward achieving our mission.

Head of Regulatory

Luis Mejia

Luis Mejia brings over 30 years of unparalleled expertise in the food and feed industry to FrostDefense as Head of Regulatory. His deep knowledge of government relations and international regulatory compliance ensures FrostDefense operates seamlessly across global markets. As a trusted advisor to leading international health organizations, including CODEX, Luis offers invaluable insights and strategic guidance. His leadership is instrumental in navigating complex regulatory landscapes, securing approvals, and positioning FrostDefense as a trusted, compliant, and innovative player in agricultural technology.

Founder & Scientific Advisor

Gabriel Burks

Dr. Gabriel R. Burks is an accomplished materials scientist, polymer physicist, STEM education researcher, and AgTech entrepreneur with significant academic and research experience as well as an extensive professional network. Gabriel currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. As Co-Founder of FrostDefense, Gabriel led the technical development of our innovative polymer products and continues to use his creativity, adaptability, and technical expertise to ensure the growth of our business.