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
Mayo Clinic taps FitBark and finds dogs aren’t terribly disruptive bedmates
File this one under the “aww-some” news category. Those with four-legged bedroom guests can rest assured that quality slumber usually remains a loyal companion, two studies found after analyzing data captured from Kansas City-based FitBark devices. The Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine conducted the first of two studies to explore the impact of pets…
Edison Spaces debuts real estate solution for growing startups
This story was originally published in MetroWireMedia, a Kansas City commercial real estate and development news source. As the former president and CFO of Freightquote, Matt Druten has become all too familiar with the unpredictable real estate needs of large companies and startups. When a startup picks up momentum, they grow in revenue and headcount and…
A chip on former Mizzou receiver Tommy Saunders’ shoulder fuels his fitness tech firm
Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by LaunchKC but independently produced by Startland News. “This is for everyone who doubted me.” That’s a phrase Tommy Saunders has been saying to himself for years. Saunders said it after being denied scholarship offers and earned a walk-on spot as a wide receiver for the University of Missouri.…
Young KC entrepreneurs to learn from veteran innovators Fishback, Costello
Young entrepreneurs in the area are set to cultivate their skills with an upcoming event connecting them with successful Kansas City business leaders. On Nov. 14, HatchPad Engage! Kansas City will host a panel, fireside chat and pitch competition geared toward entrepreneurial youth that are still in school or are recent graduates. HatchPad CEO Heather…