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Accelerator Program helps pitch ag technology startups.

Forrest Laws

February 6, 2023

3 Min Read
Solar panels
Startups, including a mobile solar energy project, will be featured at AgLaunch’s Friday morning session at the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show on February 23.Getty Image/iStockphoto

Need help monitoring insect populations on your farm with tools such as a low-cost subscription to a mobile app or want to own an operating solar farm without the constraints of traditional, immovable infrastructure?

Those are the innovations being developed by two of the seven agricultural technology startups that have been selected to participate in the 2023 AgLaunch Initiative’s AgLaunch 365 Accelerator program, beginning in January.

The seven entities were chosen from a pool of applicants from 23 states and seven countries following a six-month farmer-led application and selection process. The competition included an in-person challenge week hosted by AgLaunch in Memphis, Tenn., and several pitch events with the AgLaunch farmers selection committee.

Accelerator programing

“As part of the AgLaunch365 program, the startups will work directly with AgLaunch farmers to farm-trial their new technologies,” said Pete Nelson, president of the AgLaunch Initiative. “Additional accelerator programming includes sessions on investments, business development, market strategy and one-on-one coaching and mentoring from AgLaunch and its ag and business experts.”

In a model unique to AgLaunch, members of AgLaunch Farmers, LLC will earn an equity stake in the startups in exchange for their participation in and support of farm trials which will be conducted in Iowa, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee and other states in the Mississippi Delta, Appalachia and the Midwest.

Participating startups

The startups include:

  • Bioverse Labs enables farmers to monitor insect populations in the field through a low-cost subscription to a mobile app that can be integrated with digital sensors. The platform is designed to monitor population dynamics autonomously and help farmers reduce crop loss risk and inputs by managing biological control with precision.

  • EVOIA brings the ecological benefits of fire to production agriculture in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Based on patented, proprietary technology, fire is used to convert sustainable raw biomass to plant-beneficial compounds, which transforms them into highly active, consistent bio-stimulants in easy-to-use liquid form.

  • GenoTwin is revolutionizing bio-surveillance and sustainability for livestock operations with advanced genomics and other biological molecule insights into infectious diseases. GenoTwin’s insights support decisions that reduce mortality, increase yield and improve the effectiveness of targeted treatment in livestock.

  • Motion Grazer AI uses artificial intelligence and deep learning to quantitatively evaluate animal gait, posture and condition to measure in real-time health and predict productivity in breeding swine. The outcome is increased farm efficiency and profitability as well as improved animal health, welfare and productivity.

  • ReproHealth uses embryology and engineering to create devices to improve cattle reproduction. Their patented intravaginal embryo culture device creates embryos in the cow, rather than the lab, and brings the 'Lab to the Farm.’

  • Sentinel Fertigation leverages precision fertigation through crop monitoring and nitrogen management solutions. Sentinel’s N-Time software platform delivers image-based nitrogen application recommendations shown to increase yield per unit of nitrogen applied by 25% compared to current farmer management.

  • TrackerSled patent-pending SunFarmor modules stabilize farmers' energy and fertilizer costs while affording a path to carbon-free farming, increased profits, and rural economic renewal. SunFarmor modules can be assembled in hours so farmers can own an operating solar farm within weeks without the constraints of traditional, immovable infrastructure. A 3.5-acre solar set-up will make a 1,000-acre grain farm, or a 2,000-acre regenerative farm, energy independent.

Entrepreneurship sessions

Over the next two years, startup teams will participate in monthly AgLaunch365 entrepreneurship sessions during which they will also be paired with AgLaunch farmers to begin farm-trials. AgLaunch currently has more than 40 members from across 10 states in its network of innovative farmers.

AgLaunch365 alumni include such startup companies as Rantizo, Nori, Continuum Ag, and Grain Weevil, which have been successful in attracting significant investment and building commercially viable business models. For more information about AgLaunch Initiative and its portfolio of startup companies visit www.aglaunch.com.

The seven new startups will discuss their product offerings during a Friday morning session at the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 24-25.

About the Author(s)

Forrest Laws

Forrest Laws spent 10 years with The Memphis Press-Scimitar before joining Delta Farm Press in 1980. He has written extensively on farm production practices, crop marketing, farm legislation, environmental regulations and alternative energy. He resides in Memphis, Tenn. He served as a missile launch officer in the U.S. Air Force before resuming his career in journalism with The Press-Scimitar.

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