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
Blooom announces layoffs, new strategic focus on consumers
Refocusing its outbound efforts to solely target consumers, financial tech startup Blooom has laid off nearly a third of its staff and a top executive has resigned. The Leawood-based company recently announced that it has let go of 10 employees as it moves resources away from marketing to enterprises and will refocus on direct-to-consumer marketing.…
Report: KC is a tech hub but labor shortage is hampering growth
Each day, Kansas City is better positioning itself to be the Midwest’s tech hub. But for Kansas City to realize its full potential, tech leaders, policymakers and the community need to do more to cultivate homegrown talent, KC Tech Council president Ryan Weber said. “Attracting talent from another city is a very small game — and…
KC tech startup partners with Children’s Mercy to help diagnose, manage care
Kansas City-based Engage Mobile Solutions developed a mobile app assisting pediatricians at Children’s Mercy Hospital, treating children facing acute illnesses and injuries. The tech firm created “CMPeDS: Pediatric Decision Support” to provide healthcare professionals with evidence-based guidelines to manage patients who are facing acute illnesses such as infections, or children who are experiencing acute injuries,…
UMKC eyes ‘final four’ of Enactus contest attracting thousands of student entrepreneurs to KC
Kansas City will soon become the entrepreneurial epicenter for a national, collegiate competition and conference challenging young innovators to do good in their communities. From May 21 to 23, Kansas City will host more than 2,000 entrepreneurial college students for the Enactus United States National Exposition. Founded in 1975, Enactus challenges students from more than…