Agtech startup Rantizo raised $7.5 million in series A funding, led by Leaps by Bayer and investors Fall Line Capital, Innova Memphis, Lewis & Clark Ventures, KZValve and Sukup Manufacturing, the startup announced on Wednesday. Additional participants include ISA Ventures, AgVentures Alliance and other angel investors, bringing Rantizo’s total funding raised to date to nearly […]
The Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio) is accepting applications through Nov. 6 from startups interested in competing at the annual Iowa Biotech Showcase & Conference, formerly known as Partnering for Growth. The winner of the Biotech Showcase will receive $10,000 and a one-year membership to IowaBio. Eight companies in industries including food/agriculture, human and animal health, […]
Cardio Diagnostics Inc., a company that assesses genetic and epigenetic DNA markers to monitor a patient’s risk for heart disease, was recently selected as “one to watch” in this year’s inaugural Spinoff Prize, organized by Nature Research and Merck KGaA. Founded in 2017 and based at the UI Research Park in Coralville, Cardio Diagnostics focuses on human health […]
A $40 million Series B round will help Johnston-based Growers Edge Financial expand its data analytics team and develop new warranties as an incentive to farmers adopting new practices, products and technology. Founded in 2017, Growers Edge Financial recently closed the Series B round of financing, led by Seed 2 Growth Ventures, Cox Enterprises and […]
Slater-based Gross-Wen Technologies Inc. has received a $240,000 grant from the Department of Energy to develop a next-generation process to remove phosphorus from wastewater. According to a news release, the company will partner on one of 82 projects supported by the grant from the DOE’s Technology Commercialization Fund. The project will be led by the […]
Johnston-based Growers Edge Financial Inc. announced this week the close of a $40 million Series B round of financing for the development of financial technology products in the agricultural industry. Led by Seed 2 Growth Ventures, Cox Enterprises and Skyline Global Partners, the round will allow Growers Edge to help more growers “de-risk” agtech adoption, […]
The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator announced four startups located in Ames and India as members of the accelerator’s 2020 cohort. The 100-day program is headquartered in Des Moines and typically hosts founders in the East Village, starting with a networking event to introduce founders and community members; this year’s program launched via Facebook livestream on July […]
A new strategy announced by Deere & Co. this week is designed to accelerate the company’s integration of smart technology with Deere’s equipment manufacturing. The Deere Smart Industrial strategy concentrates on three focus areas: production systems, technology stack and life cycle solutions. More information and a list of changes to personnel assignments under the strategy […]
FarmHand App, a member of cohort eight from the Iowa State University Startup Factory, has been awarded a $25,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance loan from the Iowa Economic Development Authority board for product refinement, market planning and entry activities and other expenses, Startup Factory announced. FarmHand App, launched in 2019, is a De Witt-based startup […]
Gene editing technology has an untapped potential to influence the agricultural industry — from drought and insect resistance to nutrient supplementation and a range of other benefits, the tools unlock potential that many academics, businesses and consumers are only beginning to understand. The Business Record met with Carmen Bain, rural sociologist at the department of […]