Paul Rutten

Paul Rutten is the Founder and CEO of Concert Bio, a company based in the UK that focuses on optimizing plant growth in hydroponic and greenhouse systems using beneficial microbes.

Background and Education

• Paul Rutten holds a DPhil in Interdisciplinary Bioscience from the University of Oxford, an MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology, and a Master's in Research from Imperial College London. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from University College London.456

Professional Experience

• Before founding Concert Bio in August 2021, Paul was involved in several notable roles. He was a member of the Safety and Security Committee and the Engineering Committee of the iGEM Competition since 2018, contributing to safety programs and project evaluations. He was also a Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum from 2018 to 2021, addressing global challenges. Additionally, he served as a consultant for the World Health Organization and was a trustee at the Rose Hill Junior Youth Club.146

Entrepreneurial and Academic Contributions

• Paul was a part of the Entrepreneur First program in 2021, which helps individuals build startups from scratch. He is also the founder of SynBio UK, an association that unites synthetic biology students and university societies across the UK.14
• During his PhD at Oxford, Paul became interested in the potential of microbes to enhance plant growth, particularly in hydroponic systems. This led him to start Concert Bio, which aims to identify and provide beneficial microbes to hydroponic growers, creating an optimal microbiome for crop growth.23

Concert Bio

• At Concert Bio, Paul and his team use cutting-edge data science and DNA sequencing to identify and monitor both beneficial and pathogenic microbes in hydroponic systems. The company has reported significant yield improvements, with 85% of growers seeing positive results from their microbial products. Concert Bio is currently conducting commercial trials and expanding its reach to the UK, EU, and US markets.26

Funding and Recognition

• Paul has secured over £4 million in grant funding from the UK government for Concert Bio. His work has also been featured in various platforms, including the Climate Capital Podcast, where he discussed the challenges and opportunities in soilless agriculture.36

Overall, Paul Rutten is a highly experienced and innovative leader in the field of synthetic biology and agricultural technology.