Growers Edge, a Johnston-based company providing financial products and data-driven tools for agricultural retailers, manufacturers and lenders, announced this week a first close of a new $25 million financing round. The round was co-led by S2G Investments, Cibus Capital and Lowercarbon Capital, with additional participation by Otter Creek, iSelect and Jeff Ubben, founder of ValueAct […]
Clayton Farms, an urban farming company, is partnering with Ames High School to bring urban farming curriculum and technology to the classroom. In a new course offered at Ames High School, students will learn about “sustainable food systems, supply chain, and everything that goes into urban farming,” said Clayton Mooney, co-founder and chief farmer of […]
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 9 for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 12th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. The overall winner […]
Ag-tech fund raising new $10 million fund to provide scaling capital Ag Startup Engine, a fund for ag-tech startups, made six investments in new companies in 2024, bringing the fund’s total portfolio companies to 40, according to its latest annual report. The report also shows Ag Startup Engine made three investments in existing portfolio companies, and […]
Ben Pullen is the new director of the Institute for Agriculture at Buena Vista University. Named to the role in late 2024, Pullen brings experience in youth development, education and community engagement, according to a news release. BVU’s Institute for Agriculture aims to foster innovation and sustainability in the agricultural sector while providing students with […]
An Ames-based animal vaccine startup is on the path to getting U.S. Department of Agriculture conditional approval for a highly pathogenic avian influenza vaccine, its co-founder said recently. Joel Harris, the CEO and co-founder of Genvax Technologies, said in mid-March the company is hoping to do more animal studies in the coming weeks. “We’re generating the […]
Growth planned for Ames in 2025, Norem says Ramco Innovations will now be known as Ramco Powered by Sukup, as the company takes a step to align its branding with Sukup Manufacturing Co. Ramco CEO Hank Norem told the Business Record the West Des Moines-based automation distributor is adding the tagline to its name to demonstrate its […]
The Iowa Biotechnology Association named the recipient of the 2025 Biotech Leader Award and the winners of the Showcase Pitch Competition at its Iowa Biotech Showcase and Conference held last week. Joel Harris, co-founder and CEO of animal health startup Genvax Technologies and executive director of the Ag Startup Engine, is the recipient of the 2025 Biotech Leader […]
America’s Cultivation Corridor has announced nine startups from the United Kingdom have joined the fifth cohort of its Cultivo Virtual Academy program. The fifth cohort launched on Feb. 18. The companies will participate in a six-week virtual program with sessions hosted by Iowa agricultural leaders that focus on U.S. market entry, regulatory and financing systems, and customer […]
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Iowa State University have introduced updates to Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS), the state’s soil health and water quality framework. The goal of the INRS is to assess and reduce nutrients in surface water through conservation and land management practices. […]