Aug 3, 2023Ag accelerator program now accepting applications
Applications for agriculture business development accelerator AgLaunch 365 are open from now until Sept. 4.
Developed by Memphis, Tennessee-based nonprofit AgLaunch, the farm-immersive experience is open to startups with a product or service with the potential to transform production agriculture. It offers participants farm-centric programming with expert facilitators; farm trials executed and tracked by a team with agronomic, livestock, and data management expertise; and farmer engagement throughout the process.
“AgLaunch365 is like no other accelerator experience, because early in the process, we bring in farmers to help review, select, trial and invest in new technologies that offer real solutions to some of the most pressing problems in agriculture,” Margaret Oldham, AgLaunch vice president of innovation, said in a news release. “Startups benefit by having a partner with a vested interest in their success and by having access to AgLaunch’s national network of innovative farmers, who will also be on their cap table as early investors.”
AgLaunch365 is aimed at startups in the pre-seed to seed stages that have a prototype ready to trial in the row crop, specialty crop or livestock sectors.
The program targets startups solving farm-specific problems such as water use and management, farm labor shortages, soil health and regenerative practices, production efficiency and nutrient optimization, climate-smart technologies, and animal and worker well-being, as well as biosecurity and traceability.
“We believe that the future of agriculture will include more regenerative farming practices, value creation through ecosystem services, and more differentiated products in the value chain, and we’re seeking companies that can help farmers now while paving the way to this future,” Pete Nelson, AgLaunch president, said.
Applications are available at www.aglaunch.com/entrepreneurship.
AgLaunch farmers will vote on the applicant technologies, and selected startups advance to virtual pitch and interview sessions with a committee including farmers and investor partners. Advancing startups attend an in-person challenge program to refine their value proposition before making a final pitch to farmers and investors.
The two-year accelerator program begins with a six-week business development session that includes farmer input and interaction with industry leaders and investors on go-to-market strategy, farm trials and fundraising.
After the accelerator, startups are ready to implement farm trials with AgLaunch’s farmer network and farm-trial platform across five regions: the Mid-South, Southern Appalachia, the Southern Plains, the Mid-West and Northwest. Start-ups will be paired with farmers to trial their technologies on-farm.
More information is available at www.AgLaunch.com.
Past participants
- Bioverse Labs monitors insect populations in the field through a mobile app subscription that can be integrated with digital sensors.
- Sentinel Fertigation uses crop monitoring software to deliver image-based nitrogen recommendations.
- TrackerSled’s patent-pending SunFarmor modules stabilize farmers’ energy and fertilizer costs while providing a path to carbon-free farming. Modules can be assembled in hours so farmers can own an operating solar farm within weeks.
