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.
Company founded by Purdue University researcher expected to commercialize wound management product in Q2 2025
GeniPhys, a preclinical-stage company developing regenerative collagen polymeric biomaterials for soft tissue restoration, has been awarded a $500,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IIB supplemental funding grant to support regulatory and commercial readiness of its flagship product, Collymer Self-Assembling Scaffold (SAS). The Phase IIB grant supplements a nearly $1 million NSF SBIR Phase II grant awarded to GeniPhys in 2022 and will support completion of manufacturing scalability and necessary testing to achieve 510(k) clearance of Collymer SAS for the wound care market.
“Hard-to-heal soft tissue defects and voids due to injury, disease, congenital birth defects or tumor removal are a major burden to both patients and the health care system,” said Andy Eibling, GeniPhys CEO. “GeniPhys is answering a longtime need for novel options for rapid and effective soft tissue restoration. This grant helps bring us into the homestretch of offering patients the potential of a more cost-effective treatment with more predictable outcomes and shorter healing times.”
Collymer SAS is a novel flowable collagen biomaterial based on a validated and proprietary technology platform that immediately restores tissue continuity via a rapid-forming, self-assembling collagen scaffold. Unlike traditional implantable materials, this collagen scaffold promotes regenerative remodeling — facilitating integration, cellularization and restoration of tissue characteristics without causing an inflammatory response. Its structural and signaling characteristics replicate those of natural collagen for faster healing and restoration of tissue defects and voids affecting soft tissues such as skin, breast, skeletal muscle and adipose.
While Collymer SAS has a wide range of applications across various surgical specialties, GeniPhys will initially enter the advanced wound care market, where more than 10 million patients are affected with nonhealing, chronic wounds. Simultaneously, GeniPhys will pursue additional indications, including breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) where preclinical study results have shown Collymer SAS excels as a first-in-kind regenerative breast tissue filler with potential to improve both oncologic and cosmetic outcomes.
Collymer SAS was developed by GeniPhys founder and chief technology officer Sherry Harbin, professor of biomedical engineering and courtesy professor of basic medical sciences at Purdue University. The patented technology is licensed to GeniPhys by the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization and is the cornerstone of the company’s broad intellectual property portfolio. Harbin also is part of Purdue’s collaborative One Health initiative.
Purdue Hemp Products Utilization Consortium will initially focus on superabsorbent materials research
Academic researchers, Indiana hemp farmers, industry stakeholders and others networked and celebrated during the Oct. 22 launch of a consortium that will advance the research and development of hemp-based products developed at Purdue University.
The objectives of the Purdue Hemp Products Utilization Consortium (H-PUC) are to process scale-up and agricultural experimental trials, fine-tune and optimize technology — including the process conditions for intended applications — and develop marketing strategies to reach prospective customers to understand their needs.
Senay Simsek is H-PUC’s primary investigator. She is a professor in and the head of Purdue’s Department of Food Science. She also holds the Dean’s Chair in Food Science.
“H-PUC is addressing global needs and the challenges of growing populations and climate change through sustainable solutions,” she said. “While our initial focus is superabsorbent materials, our vision extends beyond this. We aim to broaden our scope over time.”
Simsek said H-PUC has several short-term and long-term goals.
“Our short-term aims will be to leverage funds, test pilot-scale production and evaluate pilot production conditions,” she said. “Our long-term plans include scaling up of production, partnering with companies with intellectual property, customizing materials for specific applications and developing marketing strategies.”
Hemp-based superabsorbent materials
Simsek collaborated with Marguerite Bolt in Purdue’s Department of Agronomy and former Purdue researcher Laila Hossain to develop the hemp-based superabsorbent materials. Simsek said hurds and bast are two parts of the hemp plant that offer unique benefits for sustainable material development, particularly in absorption technologies.
“Hemp hurds, found in the inner woody core of the hemp stalk, are highly absorbent due to their high cellulose content and low lignin levels. This makes them an excellent alternative for superabsorbent applications,” she said. “Hemp bast, the fibrous outer layer, while less absorbent, provides strength and durability.”
Simsek and her team tested the Purdue superabsorbent materials made from hemp using standardized absorbency tests, which compared them against traditional superabsorbent materials such as polyacrylate-based products.
“The hemp hurd, due to its enhanced surface area and porosity from our refining process, showed significantly higher absorption capacity than both hemp bast and many traditional materials,” she said. “This validation underscores not only the effectiveness of our technology but also its potential to replace less sustainable options in the market.”
Simsek said H-PUC allows her and her research team to collaboratively advance the development of hemp-based products, focusing on both environmental and economic sustainability.
“Through this consortium, my team will be able to scale up our research on hemp-based superabsorbent materials, refine the technology and explore new applications. This collaborative effort not only accelerates our ability to bring environmentally friendly products to market but also strengthens Purdue’s leadership in industrial hemp research,” she said. “Our next steps include optimizing pilot-scale production and partnering with companies to commercialize these innovations.”
Simsek disclosed the superabsorbent hemp-based materials to the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization, which has applied for a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to protect the intellectual property. Industry partners interested in developing or commercializing the work should contact Dipak Narula, assistant director of business development and licensing — physical sciences, at [email protected], about track code 70273.
This November, The Pantheon is celebrating the entrepreneurs who have built our community, those who are defining our future, and encouraging those who are testing new ideas along the way.
Click here to see the free events happening at The Pantheon during November 18-22, and enjoy free co-working every day.
The primary purpose of the MOU is to establish a framework for enhanced collaboration, with the aim of promoting increased agricultural trade and fostering economic development for Indiana. The MOU outlines an agreement for the organizations to partner in the following ways:
Encourage and support the expansion of agricultural exports through the state’s port facilities.
Investigate opportunities to develop new container shipping facilities that would serve critical needs in the agriculture and hardwood industries.
Connect key agricultural stakeholders with Indiana’s ports to explore new shipping opportunities and convene critical stakeholder forums.
Research container export opportunities related to ISDA’s key priorities.
“ISDA has helped position Indiana agriculture as a global leader in innovation and commercialization for food and fuel production, and our ports play a critical role in connecting our ag industry with world markets,” said Jody Peacock, CEO for the Ports of Indiana. “Our organizations and our industries are inextricably linked, and we have several shared objectives and opportunities for collaboration that can create future growth for our state and our agricultural communities.”
Earlier this year, the two organizations partnered with the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council to conduct a trade mission to Indonesia and to host the first-ever Indiana Container Shipping Conference. Governor Eric Holcomb kicked off the conference as business, agriculture and transportation leaders discussed ways to develop new container ports, grow agriculture exports and expand global trade to support Indiana’s economic growth. In July, Ports of Indiana received federal approval to establish Indiana’s first international sea cargo container terminal on Lake Michigan and signed an MOU with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to explore new agriculture and container shipping opportunities.
Agriculture contributes more than $35 billion annually to the Hoosier economy, making Indiana the ninth largest agriculture state. Indiana ranks 13th in the nation for waterborne shipping, generating $29.9 billion in annual economic impact. Ports of Indiana handles more than 4 million tons of agriculture products at its three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan, and those cargoes make up more than a third of the total shipments.
To view the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) click here or visit isda.in.gov.
