Research Foundation News

December 6, 2017

Purdue agricultural startup finalists to pitch for up to $100,000 in Ag-celerator funding

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Nine Purdue agricultural-based startups will make their case for up to $100,000 in investment funding in the inaugural Ag-celerator Demo Day Friday (Dec. 9) at Discovery Park’s Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship on the Purdue University campus.

The plant sciences innovation fund “Ag-celerator” is a $2 million fund supported through the Purdue Moves initiative designed to provide critical financial support for Purdue innovators wishing to commercialize patented intellectual property or Purdue “know-how” technologies in plant sciences, including areas of research in crop optimization, hybrid and seed development, and precision agriculture.

The fund is a joint venture of the Purdue College of Agriculture, Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization, Purdue Foundry and the agricultural industry. The nine finalists were chosen by the Ag-celerator Screening Committee composed of officials from the Purdue College of Agriculture and Purdue Foundry.

The fall semester Ag-celerator Demo Day, where the finalists will pitch their ideas, will be from 10 a.m. to noon and 1–3 p.m. Friday Dec. 9 at the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship, 1201 W. State St., West Lafayette. The event is open to the public.

Up to $100,000 in investment funds may be invested in companies based on judging by a selection committee of industry and investment experts.

The startups pitching for funding are:

* Greater Innovations, a startup commercializing intellectual property with a focus on agricultural innovations, sustainability and green technology.

* Hydro Grow, a startup providing individuals with an automated, aero-ponic appliance capable of growing enough organic produce within the individual's home to eliminate their dependence on a grocery store for most produce. Individuals will have the freedom to grow their favorite produce by selecting which seedling cups they want mailed to them through a convenient app-based membership.

* J & H Consulting of West Lafayette LLC, a startup developing and delivering software decision support tools to help the agricultural industry make more informed decisions regarding in-season nutrient and irrigation application rates and environmental assessments at the subfield scale. The company also is developing a software tool that can predict the developmental progress and yield of crops at the regional/national scale more rapidly and accurately than currently available methods.

* Phicrobe LLC, a startup commercializing an innovative method developed at Purdue for inexpensive and rapid detection of pathogenic E. coli in food and food production environments.

*POTPLUGS, a startup merging automated packing/production and horticulture. POTPLUGS are prepared seedling pots with passive RFID technology permanently embedded and integrated to improve efficiencies and also provide a unique, not easily altered, tracking identification number for compliance and taxing authorities throughout the plant’s life cycle.

* Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS), a startup that will assist more than 500 million smallholder farmers across the world preserve their harvest by manufacturing, distributing and selling a simple, safe, and affordable technology - the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag.

* Rubicon Agriculture, a startup building automated hydroponic growing facilities inside of upcycled 40-foot shipping containers.

* SoyFoliate, a startup marketing a novel, soy-based exfoliating product designed for integration into hand soaps, facial scrubs and body washes. The company’s naturally degradable exfoliating soy microspheres replace federally banned plastic microbeads that are a contributing source of pollution in major waterways.

* Vinsense LLC, a startup marketing effective crop management and predictive decision-making software for economic and environmental sustainability.

Purdue innovators creating a startup based on a Purdue plant sciences innovation are eligible to apply for the Ag-celerator program. Details on the spring semester Ag-celerator will be announced in January.

About Purdue College of Agriculture

Purdue University's College of Agriculture is one of the world's leading colleges of agricultural, food, life and natural resource sciences. As a land-grant institution, the college is committed to preparing students to make a difference, wherever their careers take them; stretching the frontiers of science to find solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges; and, through Purdue Extension and engagement programs, helping the people of Indiana, the nation and the world improve their lives and livelihoods.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

About Purdue Foundry

The Purdue Foundry is an entrepreneurship and commercialization hub in Discovery Park's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship whose professionals help Purdue innovators create startups. Managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, the Purdue Foundry received the 2014 Incubator Network of the Year by the National Business Incubation Association for its work in entrepreneurship. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at http://www.purduefoundry.com

About the Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization

The Purdue Research Foundation manages the Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization. The Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the United States. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university's academic activities. 

Purdue Research Foundation contact: Curt Slyder, 765-588-3342, caslyder@prf.org 

Source: John Hanak, 765-588-5255, jmhanak@prf.org 


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