With roots in academic research and real-world problem-solving, Onteko Inc. is advancing a breakthrough technology that could reshape how farmers deliver agrochemicals to plants. Co-founded by Luis Ponce, a physicist and laser specialist, and Matt Rosenberg, business development lead, Onteko’s signature product—Laser Foliar Boost—uses a targeted laser treatment to gently remove the waxy layer on leaves, allowing agrochemicals to be absorbed directly into a plant’s vascular system. For example, this process is promising in the fight against citrus greening disease, which has devastated citrus yields worldwide.
The inspiration for the technology came during Ponce’s stint as a visiting scholar at the University of Florida in 2017, where researchers were trying to deliver large-molecule citrus-derived peptides into trees to fight disease. Traditional methods, including trunk injection, proved damaging and inefficient. Ponce began developing a less invasive solution: a portable laser device that could treat leaves quickly and effectively. In recent field trials with Texas A&M, the technology demonstrated a 98% bacterial clearance rate—early validation that their innovation works well.
Having succeeded in those trials, the team has been steadily advancing toward commercialization. Onteko’s initial handheld prototype is already undergoing citrus field trials with partners such as Texas A&M, the “Grove First” project with the Department of Agriculture, and the University of Memphis. With additional testing underway in crops like cotton and sunflower, the team sees potential for their laser-enabled system to reduce agrochemical usage and input costs across various crops. Their long-term goal is to integrate the laser technology as an attachment to existing or new spraying equipment, streamlining large-scale applications for commercial agriculture.
Onteko leaned on the Mississippi entrepreneurial ecosystem to refine its business model. Through Innovate Mississippi, the team received a Proof of Concept cash award that helped fund their first major trials. “We wouldn’t be where we are without them,” Rosenberg said. “They helped us improve our pitch, define our market, and prepare for SBIR grant applications.”
As they continue to validate their technology and seek new investment, Onteko’s founders are building a network of early adopters and farmers who can help shape the product. Rosenberg offers simple advice for entrepreneurs looking to follow a similar path: “Look for help. Organizations like Innovate Mississippi can give you the tools and support you need to turn an idea into a business.”
