The agbioscience story is one worth telling in many aspects and that’s exactly what Delaney Howell-Groth has done in her career. The ag journalist turned founder of AgCulture Marketing joins us from the Rally Innovation Conference to talk about shaping the story of companies across the industry, having affinity for rural America and innovation driving the food system. Delaney also talks about unlocking emotions alongside facts, new technologies as a story and an industry that’s ripe to create excitement and vibrancy in rural communities across the country.
Listen here:
Celebrating its silver anniversary next year, TechPoint’s Mira Awards gala—known as the “Oscars of Tech in Indiana”—will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the Old National Centre in Indianapolis. TechPoint and its sponsors and partners will take over the entire venue, including an awards show in the Murat Theatre followed by a community celebration and afterparty in the Egyptian Room.
With the event attracting sold-out crowds over the past 10 years, this new location enables doubling attendance at the gala from 1,200 to 2,400 people. Extra seating capacity is also important as the organization recognizes digital innovation statewide across all industries. Additionally, TechPoint will reduce the general admission ticket price by at least $100 to make it more affordable for startup teams and traditionally underrepresented groups in tech.
“Digital innovation is the key to keeping our companies, our workforce and our economy competitive across all industries,” said TechPoint president and CEO Ting Gootee. “For 25 years, the Mira Awards program has lifted up the ‘Best of Tech in Indiana.’ This will continue next year with the added dimension of celebrating the most impactful technological achievements in software, analytics and AI, of course, as well as in tech applications like agtech, edtech, fintech, hardtech, healthtech, sportstech and others.”
Gootee said TechPoint will focus on bringing in award entries from all parts of the state, and she highlighted a regional partnership with the University of Notre Dame in South Bend-Elkhart. A portion of the school’s 2024 IDEA Week innovation festival will be held in Indianapolis in conjunction with TechPoint’s Mira Awards gala.
“We’re excited at the early interest from like-minded organizations to join our efforts to celebrate and raise awareness of the exciting advances being made in all areas of Indiana’s tech economy,” Gootee said. “This is a highly inclusive process with many opportunities for participation including nominating, entering, competing, judging and volunteering throughout the six-month awards season.”
Entries for the 25th annual Mira Awards will be accepted beginning November 7, 2023, and tickets will go on sale the same day. Visit the 2024 Mira Awards Prospectus to learn more.
About 25% of U.S. farm products by value are exported annually. That global market fuels demand for producers and the companies that serve them across the Midwest. Ben Forsythe, Director of Sustainability and Value Creation with the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance, is just back from a global trip to visit some of those foreign markets and joins us today to share new perspective on the markets and the opportunities they create for innovation.
From his travels to The Netherlands to Indonesia, he gets into the unique challenges each country faces, how Indiana farmers can help solve those challenges to meet the needs of the world’s markets. He also talks about gleaning inspiration from other countries that could validate and improve the great work we already do here. No matter where they’re at in this world, farmers speak a universal language; so what did their shared communication look like on the trip? Ben talks common themes and conversations taking place in agriculture across the world.
Listen here:
Elanco CEO, Jeff Simmons, joins organization’s executive committee
AgriNovus Indiana announced today additions and changes to its executive committee and board of directors.
The board unanimously approved the addition of Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco, to its executive committee as well as JoAnn Brouillette, operating partner at Lewis and Clark Agrifood, to its board of directors. Additionally, approval for the following seat changes to replace outgoing directors include:
Bernie Engel – Glenn W. Sample dean of agriculture, Purdue University
Vicki Gardner – vice president of marketing and communications, Wabash Valley Power Alliance
“Indiana’s agbioscience economy continues to experience record growth and strength thanks to the direction and support of the AgriNovus board of directors,” said Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “The addition of these experts to our Board brings even more leadership and industry context to our team as we work together to build the agbioscience economy of the future.”
Simmons serves as president and CEO of Elanco Animal Health (NYSE: ELAN), an independent, global animal health leader with the ability to reach the world’s animals. The Elanco team has established a unique innovation engine grounded in a higher purpose: Food and Companionship Enriching Life. Elanco’s Pet Health business is innovating effective products and therapeutic solutions for veterinarians helping pets live longer, healthier, more active lives. Elanco’s Farm Animal business focuses on helping farmers and veterinarians raise healthy livestock to make food safer. Elanco is also a pioneer within livestock sustainability and is developing and delivering a portfolio of new products and solutions designed to make a tangible, positive impact on reducing climate warming. As an advocate for animal agriculture, Simmons is active with HealthforAnimals (H4A) and FFA at the national levels. His board roles reflect his passions for food security with HATCH for Hunger, enabling leaders to thrive with Edge Mentoring and the human-animal bond with IU Health.
Brouillette has a long history in agriculture most recently serving as managing partner of Demeter Lp, a third generation, family owned agribusiness firm with grain facilities located throughout the Midwest. Brouillette currently serves as operating partner for Lewis and Clark Agrifood, a late stage, growth equity fund focused in the agriculture and food technology sectors. She was appointed by President George W. Bush to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation for two terms and is the past chair of the National Grain and Feed Association and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Brouillette currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Purdue University and Kokomo Grain Company.
Engel is the Glenn W. Sample dean of agriculture at Purdue University after previously serving as senior associate dean in the college. He was also department head of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Engel has received numerous recognitions from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE) over the course of his career, including: Outstanding Young Researcher Award, 1999; ASABE Fellow, 2014; Gilley Academic Leadership Award, 2016; and the Hancor Soil and Water Conservation Engineering Award, 2019. He was also honored as the Purdue College of Agriculture’s Outstanding Researcher and Outstanding Graduate Educator, University Scholar and received Engineering’s Best Teacher Award.
Gardner is the vice president of marketing and communications at Wabash Valley Power Alliance, leading the department while serving as a member of the Executive Team. She previously served as director of strategic communications for Hirons, where she developed comprehensive and cross-disciplinary plans to meet clients’ strategic objectives. Gardner was also director of communications for the city of Westfield and corporate communications manager for Cummins, and she was a reporter and news anchor for several television and radio stations throughout the Midwest.
The AgriNovus Indiana board of directors is comprised of leaders from industry, academia and government. All members are listed online at www.AgriNovusIndiana.com/Board.
Elevate Ventures Announces Five Winners of Elevate Nexus Pitch Competitions, Totaling $6.46M in Investments Since 2019
Elevate Ventures, a leader in U.S. venture capital, today announced that five Indiana-based startups have been awarded a total of $320,000 in investments as winners of the 2023 Elevate Nexus Statewide Pitch Competition.
Each of the five winners received a $100,000 seed or $40,000 pre-seed investment to propel them as they create high-growth businesses across the state. Representing a range of industries and Indiana communities, the winning companies also join Elevate’s venture development portfolio.
Winners of a $100,000 Seed Investment:
Laxis Inc., Newburgh, IN: AI SaaS company led by CEO Eric Xiao.
ReproHealth Technologies, Indianapolis: Agtech/Biotech device manufacturing company for cattle led by CEO Jim Donahue and associated with Purdue University.
Winners of a $40,000 Pre-Seed Investment:
HUMN Capital, West Lafayette: B2B SaaS human resources company led by CEO Angela Goldenstein and associated with Purdue University.
Kinga Safety Inc., South Bend, IN: Personal safety and edtech company led by Founder Ambrose Kamya and associated with the University of Notre Dame and enFocus Inc.
Soloist, Bloomington, IN: B2C music technology platform for musicians led by CEO Parker Busick and associated with Indiana University and The Dimension Mill.
(Quotes from the five winners appear below.)
“Elevate is proud to congratulate these five outstanding founders, and we’re excited to watch them pursue their next big milestones,” said Landon Young, who leads the Elevate Nexus program and is the Executive Director of Entrepreneurial Programming at Elevate Ventures.
Applications for the 2023 statewide competition were open to companies that had won an Elevate Nexus competition at the regional level. Twelve regional winners competed in the statewide competition, held on August 29, 2023, during Rally, a cross-sector innovation conference in Indianapolis.
Since 2019, Elevate Nexus Pitch Competitions have awarded $6.46M to 138 Indiana companies, with 14 receiving follow-on investments.
Elevate Nexus is funded by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Indiana 21st Century Research and Technology Fund (21 Fund). Several grant and investment programs managed by Elevate Ventures, including Elevate Nexus, are supported by the 21 Fund under the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
“Our team was very excited to participate in the Elevate Nexus Statewide Competition along with other great Indiana Startups. Winning the regional and then statewide awards allows us to expand our runway and product development. Additionally, other investors are very impressed that Elevate has made such a substantial investment.” — Jim Donahue, CEO, ReproHealth Technologies
From chocolate to food innovation, True Essence Foods has taken a disciplined approach to making food ingredients taste better. This week, founder and CEO, Matt Rubin, joins us from the Rally Innovation Conference to talk about what the food supply chain of tomorrow looks like and the technology helping them pave the way.
Matt also gets into sustainability, balancing flavor and water to create delicious, shelf-stable food at commercial scale, and the growing list of partners in collaboration with True Essence Foods. As the company recently announced a $27.6M growth investment from AFM Capital Partners, what do they plan to do next? Matt talks all things expansion – both in terms of equipment and talent – in order to grow and scale the business.
Listen here:
Hoosier entrepreneurs, small business owners encouraged to leverage IN-STEP program to market, sell Indiana-made products to international markets
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) secured $300,000 in competitive grant funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support the export activities of Hoosier small businesses through the Indiana State Trade and Export Promotion (IN-STEP) grant program. IN-STEP, which launched in 2020, helps Indiana small businesses develop and expand export-related activities, opening up new international markets for Hoosier-made goods around the world.
“In Indiana, we’re focused on building a global economy of the future, and our Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses will be critical to advancing future-focused innovations and solutions,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg. “Indiana ranks in the top 15 states for exporting, and the IN-STEP program aims to build on this momentum, helping more Hoosier small businesses reach customers in international markets and find success in the global economy.”
IN-STEP is designed to help small businesses identify, market and sell their products or services around the world. Through the program, eligible companies can receive reimbursements of costs associated with export-related activities, such as participating in international trade missions, trade shows and export educational programs, as well as other export services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce. This new grant funding will be available to Indiana companies beginning Oct. 1, 2023, through September 2025, or until all funds are distributed.
Since the program’s launch less than four years ago, IN-STEP has helped 65 Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses with 102 projects to start or expand export activity across six continents. These businesses have reported export sales $20.7 million for grant-support activities, generating an approximate return on investment of $26 for every grant dollar invested.
Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses are encouraged to apply for export assistance through IN-STEP. To be eligible:
The business must be in operation for at least one year;
The business must be new to exporting or market expansion;
The business must be in accordance with SBA size standards, which categorizes small businesses based on measures like industry, number of employees and annual receipts. Use the SBA’s Size Standards Tool to see if your company qualifies; and
The business’ goods must be made in the U.S. or composed of at least 51% U.S. material.
Learn more and apply for export assistance through IN-STEP online. Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses are also encouraged to connect with statewide resources and leverage the support of ecosystem navigators at ConnectIND, a digital portal available in 11 languages that is designed to increase support for entrepreneurs and founders, powering Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
How does a recovering journalist make her way into diagnostics? Answer: agriculture (or as she puts it, the cornerstone of human civilization). Tamara Leigh, EIO Diagnostics Co-Founder and CEO, joins us from the Rally Innovation Conference to talk about artificial intelligence and machine learning as a tool for detection and prevention of mastitis in dairy cows. As “super athletes of lactation,” she gets into dairy cows’ productivity, the importance of being able to detect for mastitis and how the EIO Diagnostics is integrated into dairy operations.
How is the dairy industry evolving? Tamara talks about perception versus reality, dairy being more than just beverages and driving efficiency to create sustainability and profitability for farmers and the planet. She also talks about their solution being shaped by farmers, gleaning innovative inspiration from other sectors and what’s ahead for EIO Diagnostics.
Listen here:
Agbioscience was in Melbourne, Australia last week for the Global Entrepreneurship Congress – a gathering of more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, investors and organizations from more than 120 counties – all focused on supporting startups and building the economy of the future. During the conference, the United States – particularly Indiana took center stage. Today we are joined by Mark Marich, EVP of the Global Entrepreneurship Network and David Watkins, Senior Vice President of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, to talk about the conference and its future plans to bring the conference to Indiana in 2025.
Helping entrepreneurs flourish is what the Global Entrepreneurship Network does – no matter where they are located across the globe. Mark and David get into what the conference entails, why they chose Indiana as their destination for 2025 and the rapidly evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem across the state. Indianapolis will be the first U.S. city to host the conference since it was originally founded and there will be a chance for Indiana to spotlight its entrepreneurs. What people can do ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress to prepare for what’s to come? All that and more is here; learn more.
Listen here:
20 Startups from Across the Globe will Compete to Win a Combined Total of $3 Million in Prize Money at Upcoming Summit Nov. 14-15
An ag-tech startup launched by a Purdue University researcher-entrepreneur to strengthen worldwide food security could soon win a million dollars and garner international recognition.
LeafSpec LLC has been named one of 20 international startups to compete for $3 million in total prize money during the Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit in mid-November. The company has an exclusive license to manufacture and sell patent-pending, Purdue-developed, handheld plant phenotyping technology. Plant phenotyping is the process of measuring and studying the physical characteristics of plants, including their growth, development and response to environmental factors.
“LeafSpec is an accurate, affordable and portable hyperspectral crop leaf scanner,” Jin said. “Our handheld device and software can provide accurate and early detection of plant diseases, nutrient deficiencies and stresses from chemical sprays. This is done within seconds without damage to the plant.
“It then relays the measurement results to a farmer’s or scientist’s smartphone. This information can guide users to make quicker and smarter decisions on fertilizing, spraying and irrigation, saving their cost and improving the yield. The result is improved food security: additional crop resiliency and production that leads to more crops available for harvest and worldwide consumption.”
The Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit
The Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit is an annual competition that identifies, supports and funds global agriculture, food and beverage innovations. Awards include a $1 million grand prize, two $500,000 prizes and four $250,000 prizes.
Jin said there are additional benefits to LeafSpec being a Grow-NY finalist.
“Winning the prize money would impact our business, of course, but we will also receive dedicated mentorship from a business advisor and networking introductions and tours with potential partners during Grow-NY,” Jin said. “It also will be informative to connect with the other finalists: agriculture, food and beverage entrepreneurs from across the United States, Canada, India and the United Kingdom.”
LeafSpec tech
Jin disclosed the imaging software and hardware innovations to the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization, which has submitted patent applications on the intellectual property and has already been granted one issued patent. OTC licensed to LeafSpec the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the technology.
“There have been many large-scale plant phenotyping facilities and systems developed and used by big ag companies and academic institutions within the last 15 years,” Jin said. “But we successfully miniaturized the technology at the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue. With our exclusive license to the Purdue technology, LeafSpec is now delivering the most advanced phenotyping technology with an easy-to-use handheld device. It’s gratifying to have built a tool that can impact the lives of growers and scientists around the world.”
Most of LeafSpec’s current customers are plant scientists and breeders from universities and large companies.
“Our customers’ research and field scouting efforts have greatly benefited from LeafSpec’s distinctive spatial-spectral resolutions and enhanced signal clarity. This enables them to gather unprecedented quality of hyperspectral leaf images for stress analysis, leading to the discovery of novel plant stress signals and enhanced measurement accuracy,” Jin said.
“The ag engineers at Purdue have published exciting new findings on nitrogen stress signals using LeafSpec. Similarly, numerous researchers investigating different diseases, nutrient deficiencies and chemical damages can do the same.”
LeafSpec sells multiple models of its device to cover different species such as corn, soybeans, wheat, rice and grapes. Its license also includes AI models for plant traits such as nitrogen content and robotic technologies to operate LeafSpec in the field fully automatically. Demonstrations of these plant phenotyping robots, such as PhenoBee, can be found at Jin’s research website.
LeafSpec sold its first device in 2019. In summer 2023, the company registered sales of nearly $400,000.
“We can only fulfill a very limited portion of the incoming requests,” Jin said. “We are working to further strengthen our manufacturing capability and expand the technical support team in order to scale up the business.
“While there is a great potential to expand the business within the research community, we’re planning to introduce field scouting services to farmers. Field research over the past four years has demonstrated that LeafSpec can deliver significantly improved accuracy in measuring corn nitrogen content. This aids farmers in making informed fertilization decisions, addressing a market worth over $10 billion in the U.S. LeafSpec and Purdue are currently collaborating with major ag industry companies and fellow land-grant universities to test the technology for this market.”
Along with being named a finalist for the 2023 Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit, LeafSpec was one of three recipients of the fourth annual Davidson Prize, awarded by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The Davidson Prize was designed to celebrate breakthrough innovations in areas of agricultural, food and biological systems engineering.
