TechAccel hops in $3.2M round for Lincoln-based ag tech firm
March 9, 2017 | Meghan LeVota
Kansas City-based TechAccel is joining an investment round in a Nebraska agriculture tech firm that aims to improve crop yields.
The area venture firm is among a group of investors in Lincoln-based Epicrop Technologies Inc., which raised a total of $3.2 million in its Series A round, which was led by North Forty Ventures. TechAccel — which joined Nelnet, Speedway Properties and Allen & Company as investors — declined to disclose the value of their investment.
TechAccel said in a release that the firm is committed to support scientific advancements such as those produced by Epicrop, which developed an “epigenetic” technology. Epigenetics is the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression, rather than altering the genetic code.
“We’re excited to have TechAccel in our corner, both as an investor and a research partner advancing our technology,” Epicrop CEO Dr. Michael Fromm said in a release. “Their expertise and support will help Epicrop accelerate its programs demonstrating the enormous potential of epigenetics to increase yields and stress tolerance in a variety of crops.”
Combining epigenetics with agriculture, Epicrop co-founder Dr. Sally Mackenzie created a technology that uses conventional plant breeding techniques with molecular markers, enhancing yield in select plants. Greenhouse trials show that Mackenzie’s technology increased yields and stress tolerance for soybeans, tomatoes and sorghum.
“The pressure is on all of us in agriculture to deliver higher performing plants in the face of challenges like climate change and increasing global demand,” Dr. Mackenzie said in a release. “This technology is a critical step forward in addressing those problems head on.”
In December, TechAccel announced a $250,000 partnership with Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, a St. Louis-based nonprofit research institute. Founded in 2014, TechAccel specializes in ag and animal health technology. The firm invests in, sources and acquires early-stage innovations through collaborations with various institutions.
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
TEDxKC announces a perspective-altering lineup for its summer event
Prepare to shift your perspective. One of the largest, independently-organized TEDx events in the world, TEDxKC has announced perspective-altering speakers for its summer event. With a theme of “perspective,” the ninth-annual TEDxKC is set for Aug. 18 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Nearly 3,000 people attended TEDxKC in 2016 and, like years…
CAPS expands innovative education program to 6 KC area school districts
CAPS, an area innovation education network, is continuing to grow its impact in the Kansas City metro as it expands to create two new programs this fall. The Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) is adding two local programs this fall, bringing its total reach to 14 school districts in Missouri and Kansas. CAPS is…
Fund Me, KC: Wobblrs offers a soccer-specific tailgate game
Editor’s note: Startland News is continuing its new segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com Who are you?…
Two KC venture capitalists earn scholarships to join Kauffman Fellows
A pair of Kansas City venture capitalists were recently selected to participate in the highly-esteemed investor program Kauffman Fellows. As part of an Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation program announced in October, Kauffman Fellows awarded scholarships to Stray Dog Capital CEO Lisa Feria and Flyover Capital partner Thad Langford. The program also awarded scholarships to Scott Bernstein, principal…