Ag-Celerator Fund Invests in Plant Science Startups
Scott Massey is a co-founder of Heliponix.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowTwo Purdue University-affiliated plant science startups have secured additional funding. The Purdue Ag-Celerator Fund is investing $100,000 in the companies, which the university says will help the recipients commercialize their technologies.
The recipients include Heliponix LLC, which is developing pods similar to those used in coffee machines that can grow produce in homes, and Karyosoft, which is creating software solutions that simplify genome data analytics for microbiome professionals. Each company will receive $50,000.
Heliponix co-founder Scott Massey says they will use the funding to expand production capacity for its GroPod appliance, which serves as an in-home greenhouse in which users can grow their produce, in order to meet demand. Massey appeared on The INnovators with Dr. K to talk about his company. You can watch the interview by clicking here.
Karyosoft’s software platform, Loci, helps biologists research microbes that could improve crop production, animal health and advance cures for cancer, diabetes and Crohn’s disease, according to Purdue. Founder Rajesh Perianayagam says he will use the investment for continued software development and marketing.
"Winning Ag-Celerator is a testimony that investors recognize our innovative technology, Loci, solves a real-world problem and recognizes Karyosoft as a potential high-growth business," Perianayagam said. "We have learned the microbiome market trends and the needs of our customers, and, we have plans to develop more intelligent software platforms to help them to market their microbiome innovations."
This is the fifth round of funding for the Ag-Celerator, which to date has supported 10 plant science startups.