Google’s X “moonshot factory” has just launched its latest innovation: Heritable Agriculture. This new startup is all about using data and machine learning to make farming smarter and more sustainable.

Plants are already pretty incredible—they’re solar-powered, carbon-negative, and self-assembling. Yet, agriculture takes a heavy toll on the planet. It’s responsible for about 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, guzzles groundwater, and contributes to soil erosion and water pollution through pesticides and fertilizers.

Heritable Agriculture is tackling these challenges head-on by doing what Google does best—crunching massive amounts of data with AI. The goal? Turn all that information into practical advice for farmers, helping them grow crops more efficiently and with less environmental harm.

Founded by Brad Zamft, a physics PhD and former chief scientific officer at TL Biolabs, Heritable started as a project within Google X. Zamft was given free rein to explore big ideas, and optimizing plant growth quickly became the focus.

The startup uses machine learning to analyze plant genomes, identifying combinations that could improve yields, cut water use, and increase carbon storage. Initial tests involved growing thousands of plants in specialized chambers and conducting field trials in California, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

While gene editing might play a role in the future, Heritable is sticking to traditional breeding methods for now. “We’re focused on better breeding—crossing parent plants—not genetic modification,” Zamft explains.

Currently, the team is working on bringing the technology to market. Though specific details are under wraps, Heritable has already secured seed funding from FTW Ventures, Mythos Ventures, and SVG Ventures, with Google also holding an equity stake.

This spinout is part of Google X’s broader push to turn ambitious projects into independent companies, marking another step toward blending technology with sustainability in agriculture.