In 2011, Pivot Bio was started in Berkley, Calif. This week, the company announced it’s closing the headquarters there and consolidating its business closer to its row crop customers in the Midwest.
“We’ve spent the past year evaluating how and where we work best together and what we need to achieve our future growth plans,” says Chris Abbott, CEO of Pivot Bio. “Throughout history, the most transformative technology companies have fueled innovation by placing R&D, manufacturing and leadership side by side. When those teams collaborate in real time, it creates a flywheel of insight, invention and execution. That’s exactly the environment we’re building — one that strengthens collaboration, accelerates impact and positions Pivot Bio to lead the future of ag innovation from the field to the world.”
The biofertilizer company is consolidating its research and development to St. Louis and opening headquarters in a yet to be announced location.
The company is eliminating 62 jobs, according to a WARN notice filed with California, with some of those employees offered roles at the new locations.
Pivot Bio says this move isn’t downsizing but rather consolidation, and the Berkley, Calif., office is the only site being closed.
The company say as it approaches its 15th anniversary, it’s simultaneously approaching the milestone of having product applied on 15 million acres.
Pivot Bio announced a new chief technology officer, Travis Frey, who will lead the relocated R&D center and its team.


