TechAccel advances on two agriculture deals
September 10, 2015 | Ashley Jost
Technology Acceleration Partners, or TechAccel, advanced two deals that significantly boost the group’s investment effort into the agriculture sector.
The deals include a licensing agreement with Kansas State University for a patent on a bio-pesticide, and an equity investment in Benson Hill Biosystems. The private capital development company — founded by Michael Helmstetter and the Bicknell Family Holding Company — announced the deals on Sept. 9, less than a year after TechAccel’s inception. TechAccel focuses on the agriculture, animal health and food sectors.
The Kansas State bio-pesticide builds on “a naturally occurring and biodegradable platform,” while doing its job of preventing crop damage from insects. TechAccel leaders hope to sublicense the technology to global leaders in the crop agriculture industry.
The investment in Benson Hill comes after the biosystem company’s new crop platform was named as the breakthrough technology of the year for 2015 by The MIT Review. Benson Hill focuses on boosting photosynthetic efficiency in crops in tumultuous environments like drought or high temperatures.
“We spent much of our first year assessing the complex and evolving agriculture and animal health ecosystem, understanding scientific and market gaps as well as potential innovation solutions,” TechAccel CEO Michael Helmstetter said in a news release. “Both of these transactions demonstrate TechAccel’s fierce commitment to collaboratively advance transformative science. Our diverse and expanding portfolio of investments remains focused on highly impactful technologies in need of scientific advancement and acceleration to the global marketplace.”
Featured Business
2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Zee underscores artists’ need for positive venues; creative powerhouse opens pocket of support
Zahra Briggs developed her creative voice in Kansas City; now she’s setting the stage for fellow independent artists who struggle to find venues that match their vibe — and often have to pay to perform. She’s even creating a version of herself in the metaverse to open access further. A singer and songwriter herself, Briggs — who…
MyAnIML earns NSF funding, patent; now facing new phase of growth with industry validation
Thanks to a recent federal grant — along with a newly secured patent on its first-of-its-kind, proprietary facial recognition tech for cows — MyAnIML is proving its place as a leader within a herd of ag innovation, Shekhar Gupta said. The Overland Park startup received a 250,000 Phase I grant from the National Science Foundation…
KC’s next LGBTQ+ space wants to be more than just a raging club; How this permanent takeover aims to better reflect queer nightlife
Westport nightlife is set for transformation as a sweeping expansion adds seven late-night hotspots to the historic entertainment district — anchored by a new bar catering specifically to Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ community. Q Kansas City — a collaboration with Lance Pierce of Queer Bar Takeover — is expected open its doors in October at 504 Westport…
Chef brings Urban concept back to Troost; $25K GIFT grant boosts fight against gentrification
Chef Justin Clark’s latest venture — an eatery that blends Asian and soul food influences — aims to not only blur the boundaries between menus, but break down dividing lines within and between communities. “The goal was to create familiar items that everyone actually can relate to as Americans, but then again, we add some…