Memphis, Tenn. — January 14, 2025 — AgLaunch, a leader in agricultural innovation, has unveiled eight startups selected by farmers to participate in its two-year AgLaunch365 Accelerator Program. This program uniquely combines tailored investments, on-farm trials and access to valuable agricultural data to fast-track the commercialization of transformative technologies.

“Our farmer-driven approach ensures these startups develop impactful, scalable solutions to agriculture’s biggest challenges,” said Pete Nelson, President of AgLaunch. “This year’s cohort represents the best in labor-saving robots, rapid diagnostics, new traits and sustainable biologics selected to help farmers now and build a bridge to a more resilient farming system.”

Farmer Selected Startups:

  • Barn Owl Precision Agriculture deploys the Autonomous Nano Tractor (ANT) as a service to support small farmers in securing our food supply, combating climate change, and rekindling a passion for farming. Designed for precision weeding in row crop environments, the system offers operational support throughout the farming cycle—from planting to harvest.
  • Barnwell Bio is an animal health data platform powered by wastewater analysis. By offering early identification of health trends, we help minimize livestock mortality and maximize productivity, removing guesswork from animal health management.
  • BugBiome harnesses nature’s own defenses to protect crops from pests safely and sustainably. By leveraging plant microbiomes and innovative hardware to study insect behavior, the team discovers bioprotectants that pose no harm to people or pollinators.
  • IngateyGen specializes in developing innovative peanut varieties using CRISPR genome editing technology. Our traits improve safety and nutritional value, delivering enhanced health and wellness benefits for consumers.
  • Kalix gives farmers real-time control over animal health with rapid disease testing results delivered in just one hour—compared to the typical 5–7 days required for external lab testing.
  • MicroMGx delivers nature’s solutions for global agriculture. Proprietary technology identifies novel chemicals from microbes 100 times more efficiently than traditional methods. Our lead product is a naturally produced herbicide with a groundbreaking mechanism of action—the first in 35 years.
  • Mycologics offers a biofungicide manufacturing platform derived from microbial natural products, providing sustainable solutions for crop protection.
  • Rogue.ai develops the most advanced spraying drones on the market, powered by a hybrid-electric powertrain. Our technology significantly reduces operational costs while enhancing on-field productivity.

“This program is unique because it’s driven by farmers,” said Alex Forsbach, Tennessee farmer and member of the national network. “The hands-on involvement from me and my partner farmers across the US ensures these technologies deliver real-world impact.”

Program Highlights:

  • Farm Trials: Real-world testing on farms supported by AgLaunch’s network of farmer-partners across the United States.
  • Investment: Access to pre-seed funding and strategic investors led by Ag Ventures Alliance, Countryside Angels and a national network of aligned investors.
  • Data Access: Exclusive access to farm data to refine technologies accessed through AgLaunch farmers.
  • Participants will also gain exposure to leading farmers through AgLaunch’s partnership with Farm Journal, with the opportunity to give a farmer-facing pitch at the Top Producer Summit in Kansas City.

The 2025 cohort will give their investment focused pitch as the finale at the AgLaunch Portfolio Showcase and Demo Day, a one-day event in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 27, 2025 featuring a national group of investors, farmers and strategic partners. This event will include a showcase of existing portfolio companies, access to AgLaunch farmer members, updates on national expansion and data platform and pitches by the new companies. Please register here to receive updates.

The AgLaunch365 Accelerator Program continues to revolutionize agriculture through innovation and collaboration. Join us on February 27, 2025 to learn more!

About Ag Ventures Alliance

Ag Ventures Alliance is a 25-year-old farmer cooperative focused on increasing farmer profitability. The cooperative started in 1998 by pooling together financing from farmers in Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota to build one of the first farmer-owned ethanol plants in the Midwest. A profitable acquisition led these farmers to invest into other new projects and Ag Ventures Alliance expanded into providing venture investments into new startups and value-added projects in the agriculture sector. Ag Ventures Alliance has a high success rate in profitable exits from pre-seed and seed stage investments. www.agventuresalliance.com

About Farm Journal

Farm Journal is the nation’s leading business information and media company serving the agricultural market. The company serves the row crop, livestock, produce and retail sectors through branded websites, eNewsletters and phone apps; business magazines; live events including conferences and tradeshows; nationally broadcast television and radio programs; and an array of data-driven, paid information products. Farm Journal is also the majority shareholder of the online equipment marketplace, Machinery Pete LLC. Trust In Food is a Farm Journal division dedicated to accelerating the adoption of climate-smart and regenerative agriculture in ways that work for producers and enhance connection to consumers. In 2010, the company established the non-profit, public charity, Farm Journal Foundation, dedicated to sustaining agriculture’s ability to meet the vital needs of a growing population through education and empowerment. www.farmjournal.com