Union of three companies creates market-leading platform for crop nutrition and grower support to empower U.S. farming communities
BW Fusion, an innovator in agricultural crop and soil nutrition; Biodyne, an environmental microbiology company; and Agronomy 365, a tech-enabled crop analytics and management program; today announced their merging to create an integrated platform under BW Fusion. The combined company will offer growers more effective and sustainable biologicals at every stage of the crop nutrition cycle. The transaction formalized a previous strategic alliance between the three companies and will accelerate product innovations and enhance grower support. Financial support for the transaction was provided by Bain Capital Double Impact, the impact investing arm of Bain Capital.
“We are excited to collaborate with the founders to create a complete solution that fuses leading agronomy, environmental microbiology, and grower-support to accelerate BW Fusion’s impact”
In 1989, Dr. Fred Farley, an esteemed microbiologist and plant physiologist founded Biodyne and began developing beneficial microbes for environmental stewardship and bioremediation. His research was applied to hundreds of plant and vegetation species, proving efficacy to reduce soil contamination and improve overall plant health. In 2012, seeing the promise of Dr. Farley’s work, Gil Farley and Tim Weir formed a new venture to commercialize Biodyne’s products. These efforts later led to a partnership with third-generation grower Grant Wells and the founding of BW Fusion in 2019 with a focus on row crops such as corn, soy and wheat. As BW Fusion expanded, a partnership with Jason Schley and Agronomy 365 was formed.
Going forward, BW Fusion will marry Biodyne’s 30+ years of biologicals research, Agronomy 365’s cutting-edge data and software tools, and BW Fusion’s product development, manufacturing and commercial expertise to support farming communities across the U.S. BW Fusion is poised to benefit from long-term secular tailwinds in agriculture and increasing demand for environmentally sustainable biological crop nutrition solutions.
“Our mission has always been to help growers improve crop productivity and long-term soil health. As farmers ourselves, we understand the importance of providing growers with the right data to make informed decisions. Through our partnership to date, it’s evident that leveraging our combined strengths supports growers with the resources they need at scale to improve farming methods and increase long term profits,” said Jason Schley, BW Fusion’s Chief Agronomist and Product Officer. “BW Fusion’s products are now used on over 1 million acres across the U.S., and we are excited to partner with Bain Capital Double Impact to continue supporting farming communities while simultaneously helping the environment win,” said Grant Wells, a Partner at BW Fusion.
“We are excited to collaborate with the founders to create a complete solution that fuses leading agronomy, environmental microbiology, and grower-support to accelerate BW Fusion’s impact” said Jacob Donnelly, a Partner at Bain Capital Double Impact. “Our investment in the BW Fusion platform reflects our strategy of partnering with mission-driven companies to help them scale and achieve greater climate and sustainability results.”
Financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.
AgriNovus Indiana, a nonprofit coalition focused on growing Indiana’s agbioscience economy, announced today changes to its board of directors.
The board unanimously approved the addition of Natasha Cox, regional vice president of agricultural lending at Farm Credit Mid-America, and Howard Halderman, president of Halderman Real Estate and Farm Management, to replace outgoing directors.
“We’ve set a bold vision to create the conditions and connections to grow Indiana’s agbioscience economy by $8 billion by the end of the decade,” said Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “Natasha and Howard provide even more strength to our Board of Directors and will be critical to guiding our work to make our bold ambition a reality.”
Cox is the regional vice president of agricultural lending at Farm Credit Mid-America, leading retail offices across Indiana and has served in various roles for the company throughout her career. She currently serves on the Indiana Corn Marketing Council Board of Directors, the Purdue Center for Commercial Ag Advisory Board, Indiana Certified Livestock Producers Advisory Board, Senator Braun’s Ag Advisory Committee, the Ag Alumni Seeds Board of Directors and Wabash Heartland Innovation Network Board of Directors. Cox received her bachelor of science degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University and was named Purdue Agriculture Distinguished Alumni in 2022.
Halderman, who will serve as the board representative of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, is the third-generation leader of one of the largest family-owned professional farm management and real estate organizations in the United States. Halderman Real Estate and Farm Management oversees farmland assets for over 1,100 clients in 19 states. He also serves as the chairman of the Honeywell Foundation Board, director for First Merchants Corporation and member of the Parkview Health Board of Directors. Halderman received his bachelor of science degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University.
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.
IEDC releases third annual edition of Entrepreneurship Indiana yearbook featuring 100 stories of small business owners and the communities that support them
In honor of Indiana’s business owners and their impact on the state’s economy, Governor Eric J. Holcomb proclaimed this week (Nov. 18-22, 2024) Global Entrepreneurship Week in Indiana.
“Entrepreneurs have an immeasurable impact across our state every single day,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg. “I’m proud to honor the contributions to their communities and to set aside a week to celebrate their tremendous hard work. Entrepreneurs build the communities where people want to live, work and visit.”
Along with the announcement of Global Entrepreneurship Week, the IEDC released its third edition of Entrepreneurship Indiana. This entrepreneurial yearbook, published in partnership with PATTERN, honors the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and aims to inspire future founders and innovators. Past editions of the yearbook are available online and feature entrepreneurial success stories, highlighting the ambition, commitment and resilience of entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and industries across the state. Indiana will also host more than 100 Global Entrepreneurship Week events across the state, with more than 25 events happening in both Muncie and Bloomington.
Indiana is committed to investing in the growth and success of the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, which continues to inspire entrepreneurs, fuel new innovations, create quality jobs for Hoosiers and attract record levels of capital investment. Indiana ranks second among the Best States to Start a Business by Forbes and 11th in CNBC’s top places to do business.
Two years ago, the IEDC launched ConnectIND, a tool for current and future entrepreneurs, designed to connect founders with the right resources at the right time in their journey to start and grow a business. It is the first statewide listing of resources, programs and services for entrepreneurs. It provides visitors with curated connections to Indiana’s robust network of support organizations, mentors, accelerators, capital opportunities and more. So far, ConnectIND has curated over 62,000 sessions and site visitors, more than 1,900 registered users and 113,000+ site views.
The state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has a significant impact on the state’s economy and its communities. Indiana’s youngest companies (under five years of age) account for most of the state’s net new job growth, creating more than 58,000 new jobs in 2022 which was 63% of the net new job growth. In 2021, Hoosier companies under five years of age contributed an estimated $11.5 billion to Indiana’s GDP. At the local level, one successful new company increases the median household income of surrounding households, driving community wellbeing.
America just elected a new president and many states just elected new chief executives and legislators. What does this time of transition mean for ag, for agbioscience and for entrepreneurs? Sara Wyant, farmer, editor and publisher of Agri-Pulse, joins today to help us understand what’s ahead.
Sarah gets into regulatory topics – from immigration to sustainability – and talks through what the industry might expect from a second Trump administration, its new players as well as Congress. She also talks innovation, removing barriers to market entry and what lawmakers have to get done in order for farmers to plan for their operations.
Sarah founded Agri-Pulse with the idea that someone should be telling the story of how policy affects the hard work of farmers and, ultimately, the food we consume. With eyes on the future, Sarah talks what’s ahead for Agri-Pulse and what issues her team has an eye on headed into a new era of leadership in our country.
Anu and ekō Solutions aim to provide sustainable, year-round food production without pesticides, preservatives
Anu™ (Heliponix LLC) has been awarded a $175,000 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The company is potentially eligible for a $600,000 Phase II SBIR from USDA NIFA.
Purdue University alumni Scott Massey and Ivan Ball co-founded anu, which has received financial support from the Purdue Research Foundation.
The grant will be used to develop and commercialize anu’s Pure Produce® Containers. Anu and commercial manufacturing licensee partner ekō Solutions, a subsidiary of Land Betterment Corp., aim to provide sustainable, year-round food production without pesticides or preservatives.
“The containers utilize anu’s proprietary Rotary Aeroponics® technology,” said Massey, anu’s CEO. “They provide a modular, compact solution for growing fresh produce effortlessly from compostable, Self-Nurturing™ Seed Pods. The pods contain all necessary nutrients for each individual plant.”
Massey said the USDA SBIR grant and support from the Applied Research Institute enable anu and ekō Solutions to develop climate-smart, efficient systems that deliver fresher food closer to consumers, minimizing food waste, water use and nutrient loss while reducing supply-chain emissions.
“We address food supply-chain inefficiencies where some vegetables are overproduced threefold due to distribution losses, leading to significant nutrient and flavor degradation by the time they reach consumers,” he said. “We empower communities to become self-sufficient, growing food locally without relying on distribution networks. Through Harvesting When Hungry™, we maximize freshness, nutrition, food safety and flavor, encouraging healthier diets while reducing waste.
“The food as medicine movement is gaining momentum, with insurers like Elevance (formerly Anthem) Health and Global Atlantic Financial Group supporting us through the AgriNovus HungerTech Challenge and the SBA SCORE Competition, respectively, as produce prescriptions gain rapid adoption.”
Innovative tech for a sustainable future
Massey said anu’s Rotary Aeroponics technology enables production of up to 3,920 plants in a 20-foot shipping container, the greatest yield density of any container farm in the market, offering yield densities more than 20 times greater than conventional agriculture. The technology integrates advanced LED systems and aeroponic misting to maximize efficiency and reduce resource usage, including a 90% reduction in water use compared to traditional methods.
“The USDA grant allows us to refine our modular system and expand our offerings into fruiting plants that have yet to achieve profitability within other modular, hydroponic containers,” he said. “The grant ensures our system remains an effective solution for urban, rural and remote settings, including military bases, schools, health care centers and community gardens.”Peter Rodriguez, president of ekō Solutions, said, “Our research and development focuses on maximizing yield, energy and labor efficiency in container-based farming and enabling profitable crop differentiation with fruiting varieties. Anu’s Rotary Aeroponic system consistently reduces infrastructure and supply-chain demands, making it a highly accessible and efficient solution. Our partnership accelerates this technology’s market entry, bringing high-impact results to modern agriculture.”
Pilot programs and community impact
Anu established the Pure Produce pilot container farm in Evansville to demonstrate the technology’s potential. Massey said it can yield several tons of produce annually.
“The system offers a full return on investment faster than the time needed to construct a traditional, centralized vertical farming facility,” he said. “It allows deployment in hours, with growth beginning within a day and harvesting within weeks. Surplus produce has been donated to local food desert relief groups.”
Workforce development is a topic that tops the list of policymakers and business leaders across the country; but true change in workforce development requires more than policy or curriculum. Field Atlas is an online career exploration platform, coupled with the power of on-campus peer ambassadors, to connect the future workforce to careers across food, animal health, plant science, agtech and agriculture. Today we are joined by Ball State University student and Field Atlas Ambassador, Rilynne Puckett, to talk careers, discovering agbioscience and to answer a big question: what are young people looking for in their professional lives?
Rilynne dives into her accidental discovery of agbiosciences via the Field Atlas Company Tours program and how she instantly saw herself applying a chemistry degree to the industry. She’s been connecting with her peers on campus to share the agbioscience story – and talks their reaction to the opportunities in front of them.
What are college students looking for as the enter the workforce? Rilynne gets into striving for purpose, doing something you love and making an impact on our world.
A new survey of agribusiness professionals found that more than 70% spend more than 11 hours a week collecting, collating and analyzing data. It’s a challenge being tackled by Brazilian company, Sensix, and CEO Carlos Ribeiro joins us today to talk data as a huge task on-farm and their role in optimizing decisions for farmers.
Tremendous troves of data exist on the farm and, surprisingly, Carlos says the problems facing farmers in the U.S. are much the same as they are in Brazil. He gets into decision science and stresses the importance of mindset for tech adoption – despite the size of the farm.
So how is Sensix uniquely solving this problem? A tech guy at heart, Carlos says he realized the amount of data needed to adequately manage farms. He tells the Sensix story, consolidating software and creating one interface for the farmer.
In a time of tight farm margins, tech adoption is a tough sell. Carlos dives into their mission for a clear return on investment and putting money in farmers’ pockets in the short and long-term. On his recent visit to Indiana, he marvels at farmers’ data logs, appetite for decisions and looks ahead to what’s next for Sensix.
Conexus Indiana has opened nominations for the Rising 30 Class of 2025. The fifth annual Rising 30 awards program, presented by Purdue University, highlights young leaders who are making a significant impact on Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) sector and shaping the future of the industry.
As part of Conexus Indiana’s mission to position Indiana as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics, the Rising 30 program was designed to celebrate the next generation of innovators, change-makers and leaders who are advancing the state’s AML ecosystem. The program also encourages pathways to success in these vital industries, which employ over 700,000 Hoosiers and represent a third of the state’s gross domestic product.
“Indiana’s young professionals in advanced manufacturing and logistics are driving change across sectors, from product design and manufacturing processes to logistics and transportation,” said Fred Cartwright, president and CEO of Conexus Indiana. “Rising 30 honors their contributions and helps elevate their leadership in shaping the future of Indiana’s largest industry.”
Purdue University’s commitment to fostering talent and advancing innovation, especially in the state of Indiana, aligns with the goals of this program.
“Along with Conexus Indiana, we’re thrilled to help highlight these leaders and the impact they’re making in our state,” said Dan Hasler, chief operating officer of Purdue University in Indianapolis. “With our new urban campus expansion into Indianapolis and the establishment of another branch of the Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories at 16 Tech Innovation District, Purdue is committed to developing the next wave of manufacturing talent right here in the capital city.”
Nominees for the Rising 30 Class of 2025 must be 30 years or younger by the end of the 2024 calendar year. Ideal candidates are those who are driving innovation, leading transformational change, inspiring others and making an impact within Indiana’s AML industries. Individuals with direct employment in AML, as well as those from supporting professions such as education, marketing and the public sector, are eligible for nomination. Full nominee criteria and details about the nomination and selection process are available via the Class of 2025 nomination primer.
The Class of 2025 honorees will be celebrated at a special event in Indianapolis in May 2025. Nominations are open now through January 6, 2025. To learn more about the criteria and submit a nomination, visit www.conexusindiana.com/rising-30.
How can computer science solve some of agbioscience’s most critical challenges? Likith Mouli Konka, a graduate student studying Human-Computer Interaction at Indiana University Indianapolis, is gaining some first-hand experience through Field Atlas Agbioscience Tours and the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge. From his motivation to enter the agbioscience space to reshaping his perspective of agriculture, Likith dives into what he has learned about the agbioscience industry and how he sees it playing a role in his future endeavors.
What motivated you to step into the agbioscience industry and participate in AgriNovus / Field Atlas programs?
Growing up in India, I saw firsthand how crucial farming is to people’s livelihoods, but also the many challenges farmers face — climate variability, water scarcity, low productivity, and limited market access being just a few. When I learned about the AgriNovus and Field Atlas programs, I saw an opportunity to explore how my skills in UX Design and Research could potentially address these real-world agricultural challenges and make a tangible impact on farmers’ lives.
What AgriNovus programs + agbioscience events have you participated in? Briefly describe your experience participating in these programs and events.
I’ve participated in the Company Tours organized by Field Atlas, the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge, and my year-long Capstone Project. These experiences have been eye-opening and transformative. They’ve allowed me to apply my HCI skills to real agricultural problems and gain valuable insights into the cutting-edge technologies being developed in the agbioscience sector.
Prior to engaging with AgriNovus Indiana and Field Atlas, did you have any stereotypes about the Agriculture Industry? If so, what were those stereotypes?
Before getting involved with AgriNovus, my understanding of agriculture was largely based on my experiences in South India, where it often relies on traditional methods and limited access to modern technology. I perceived it as a sector facing constant uncertainty, with farmers struggling against numerous challenges.
How has your involvement with AgriNovus and Field Atlas programs reshaped your idea of the agbioscience industry?
Through my involvement with AgriNovus, my perspective has completely changed. I’ve been exposed to the agbioscience industry, where innovation and technology are at the forefront of addressing real-world agricultural challenges. From precision farming and climate-resilient crops to digital platforms and advanced machinery, I’ve seen how technology can revolutionize agriculture, making it more efficient, productive, and sustainable. It has shifted my perception from viewing agriculture as labor-intensive and traditional to seeing it as a tech-driven, data-powered industry with immense potential.
What has kept you reengaging with Field Atlas + AgriNovus programs?
What excites me most about agbioscience is the way it integrates technology to solve complex problems, such as optimizing resource use through precision agriculture or improving market access with digital platforms. These innovations are game-changers for farmers, offering solutions to issues like water scarcity and unpredictable weather, which were so prevalent in my earlier experiences. Each program offers new insights into how technology can address these challenges.
How do you think the knowledge you have about the agbioscience industry now will play a part in your future endeavors?
This experience with AgriNovus has significantly influenced my career aspirations. I now see the potential for my skills in design and research to make a tangible impact in agriculture, particularly in creating technology-driven solutions that empower farmers. My goal is to work at the intersection of agriculture and technology, developing tools and platforms that can help farmers overcome challenges and thrive in an increasingly complex environment. The knowledge and insights I’ve gained through AgriNovus have fueled my desire to contribute to a more sustainable and innovative agricultural future, both in regions like where I grew up and beyond.
What advice do you have for other students interested in getting involved in the agbiosciences?
To other students, I’d say don’t let preconceived notions limit your perspective. My experience has shown me that agriculture is a field full of opportunities for innovation and technological advancement. Engage with programs like those offered by AgriNovus and Field Atlas to gain hands-on experience and exposure to the industry. Be open to learning about the diverse challenges in agriculture and how your unique skills and background can contribute to solutions. Most importantly, recognize that your work in agbioscience has the potential to make a real, tangible impact on food security, sustainability, and farmers’ livelihoods worldwide.
Liberation Labs has raised an additional $3.39 million in funding.
Precision fermentation start-up Liberation Labs was formed to provide the industry with the infrastructure to commercialise novel protein manufacturing at the scale and cost structure required by the market.
$2 million of the funding came from Agronomics and was made via a Secured Promissory Note, which accrues 10% interest annually and matures on 10 October 2027. With this new contribution, Agronomics’ total investment in Liberation Labs has reached $19.6 million, resulting in a 37.5% ownership stake on a fully diluted basis.
The $2 million investment from Agronomics will support the ongoing construction of Liberation Labs’ Launch Facility in Richmond, Indiana, US. The remaining $1.39 million will fund a feasibility study (including engineering and market analysis) to explore the construction of a commercial-scale, flexible-use, 4-million-litre biomanufacturing facility adjacent to the Launch Facility.
Agronomics’ executive chair, Jim Mellon, commented: “The recent commitment to invest across fabrication, firepower, fitness, food and fuel, demonstrates the potential of a biomanufacturing ecosystem in which the benefits of more secure and reliable supply chains are delivered across industries. In line with this, Liberation Labs has made significant steps towards securing binding offtake agreements for its Launch Facility.”
Mellon continued: “The company now has signed letters of intent with potential customers representing well over 200% of the available capacity for the first few years of operations, demonstrating strong demand for ‘fit for purpose’ biomanufacturing facilities across food, fuel, materials and pharmaceuticals.”
Earlier this year, Agronomics invested $10 million in Liberation Labs as part of a wider $12.5 million funding round, and, in January, it partnered with Ivy Tech Community College in Richmond, Indiana, US, to develop a new biomanufacturing workforce training programme.
Last year, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded Ameris Bank a $25 million ‘business and industry’ loan guarantee for Liberation Labs’ biomanufacturing facility in Richmond, Indiana, US, and, months prior, the start-up secured $30 million to advance the development of its biomanufacturing facility in Richmond.
