When Science Communication Starts With a Real Conversation
We are excited to announce our new collaboration with Holissor, a biostimulant company committed to science, innovation and sustainability. The way we connected with them, and the story behind it, is a great example of how science communication works in real life.
When a business call takes a turn
Our collaboration began with a call with José Antonio de Cote, Holissor’s co-founder. We met through LinkedIn and expected a casual business chat about their company’s purpose and our services. But far from that, we ended up travelling from the early years of his career, with its struggles and successes, to the foundation of Holissor.
What was meant to be a 30-minute meeting became an inspiring talk about science, entrepreneurship and impact. He truly caught our attention, and we had it clear from there. That’s what true communication feels like, and that’s how we want the audience to experience it. Here you can find what we learnt about him and Holissor and understand why we are so excited about this collaboration.
The story behind Holissor
José Antonio de Cote, Holissor’s co-founder, studied biotechnology in Córdoba (Spain) and decided that science didn’t end in academia. He learnt to turn biotech into business at a university spinoff focusing on a Trichoderma biofungicide, the first to be certified in Spain. Seeking to impact the world through science, he moved to Miami, where he founded iQBiotech, to continue working in the world of biostimulants. After field trials in over 10 countries and millions raised, the company was sold, but José’s journey was far from over.
Living in the U.S. and deeply connected to the agrifood sector, José confronted a reality: climate pressure is pushing agriculture towards sustainability, while vast amounts of organic residues are wasted. With those ideas in mind and the goal of helping farmers, Holissor was born. Álvaro Castillo Monge, member of the Board of Directors of Grupo Empresarial Mariposa, trusted José’s vision from the start and joined as a partner and investor. Then, a timely conversation in New York with an old friend, Jesús Suárez, opened the opportunity for a new strategic alliance with Nostrum Simul S.L., providing the facilities to scale industrial production.
But beyond the professional paths shaping Holissor, what stood out to us was their innovation. As scientists ourselves, we appreciated seeing how solid research guides their values and decisions. At the scientific level, Professor Juan Parrado, a University of Seville biostimulant specialist, and Dr. Ángel Orts both bring the expertise required in enzymatic hydrolysis and validate the effects of biostimulants in laboratory trials.
Two more individuals complete Holissor’s team. Marcel Barbier, COO and doctor in plant nutrition, brings over 20 years of plant-science experience in industry heavyweights. Matthew Starr, R&D Director, adds his expertise in laboratory trials needed to bridge lab results with real impact for crops and farmers. All of them, together with advisors, farmers, and people helping along the way, are the network of roots propping Holissor up.
As we listened to the details of the professional background of Holissor, we already had a story to tell. But things got better when we understood their innovative approach and the science behind their products.
Why is their approach innovative?
When we think of plant productivity, three pillars usually come to mind: fertilizers, genetic improvement and pest control. They have shaped agriculture for decades, helping us to feed the world. But now, a new tool is emerging. Biostimulants, natural or biologically derived products, improve plant growth and stress tolerance by activating important plant processes for nutrition and stress response.
In terms of nutrition, agriculture mainly focuses on providing nutrients to the plant, but what if they can’t use them efficiently? This turns into farmers wasting their time and money without increasing yields. The environment also pays the price, with excessive chemical fertilization causing nutrient runoff, soil degradation and water contamination. Biostimulants go beyond fertilization. Their composition is rich in bioactive compounds that regulate plant access and uptake of nutrients, helping them make the most of what’s already in the soil.
Nutrition is only one side of the challenge. Plants also face many environmental stressors. In fact, over 60 % of yield losses worldwide are caused by abiotic factors: droughts, soil salinity, and extreme temperatures. Biostimulants help plants cope with these conditions by enhancing nutrient use, stimulating root development, activating antioxidant defences, and regulating hormonal pathways.
Holissor’s innovation also lies in how these products are made. Take Biossor, their flagship product, as an example. This biostimulant is entirely produced from food-processing residues, such as crop and food leftovers. Through enzymatic processes developed in collaboration with the University of Seville, Holissor transforms these materials into water-soluble extracts. These are rich in amino acids, organic nitrogen, oligopeptides, phytohormones, and isoflavones, providing many benefits to plants, from limiting cellular damage caused by stress to triggering plant defence. Enzymatic hydrolysis is a key contributor to its success. The milder conditions of this process help preserve sensitive bioactive compounds with important roles for plant health.
Bringing communication into the spotlight
After learning about their story and innovation, one question was clear to us: why wasn’t this being told to their audience? Holissor had everything: scientific validation, a clear purpose and an impressive path. Our inner communication freak couldn’t ignore this, and we were already picturing the headlines, visuals and the story that would make people want to read it.
This is something we see every day. Many innovative and impactful companies don’t show their full potential in their communication strategy. But this is not marketing fluff; take this article as an example. We’re sure after reading Holissor’s story, you probably:
Understand their purpose
Trust their expertise
Know why their product works
This is what science communication looks like. It builds trust and visibility over time, which translates into new clients and investors. In fact, studies show an average three-year return on investment (ROI) of 844% in biotech companies, translating to $1.1 million in new revenue.
While sharing your story is essential, you need to do it the right way, being both engaging and scientifically rigorous. To make your communication impactful, you need:
A carefully designed communication strategy, with a clear message in mind.
Scientific knowledge to understand complex topics.
Communication skills to explain science in a way that’s engaging, simple and valuable.
At Helixa, we specialize in these services, combining our communication skills and scientific expertise to get your message through. We are looking forward to deepening our collaboration with Holissor and to creating new ones with companies that want to shine the light of communication on their science.
Find the full story on Holissor’s website
