Applications are now open for the 2024 AgLaunch365 Accelerator program. This is a program of AgLaunch, a Memphis-based nonprofit organization that works with startups to commercialize ag technologies through a network of diverse, innovative farmers.
AgLaunch365 is a one-of-a-kind farm immersive business development experience for startups with a product or service that has the potential to be transformative in production agriculture.
The accelerator offers three key benefits to participants:
- farm-centric programming with facilitators who have deep ag expertise
- farm trials executed and tracked by a team with agronomic, livestock, and data management expertise,
- farmer engagement throughout the process
“AgLaunch365 is like no other accelerator experience because early in the process we bring in farmers to help review, select, trial and invest in new technologies that offer real solutions to some of the most pressing problems in agriculture,” said Margaret Oldham, AgLaunch Vice President of Innovation. “Startups benefit by having a partner with a vested interest in their success and by having access to AgLaunch’s national network of innovative farmers in exchange for a small equity stake.”
AgLaunch365 is aimed at startups in the pre-seed to seed stages who have a prototype or minimum viable product that is ready to trial on the farm in the row crop, specialty crop or livestock sectors. The program targets startups solving problems specific to the farm such as water use and management, farm labor shortage, soil health and regenerative practices, production efficiency and nutrient optimization, climate-smart technologies, animal and worker well-being, as well as biosecurity and traceability.
Selection for AgLaunch365 is a three-step process.
- Startups first fill out an application at www.aglaunch.com/entrepreneurship by Sept. 4.
- AgLaunch farmers then vote on the applicant technologies, and selected startups advance to virtual pitch and interview with a committee of farmers, investor partners and a Farm Journal representative.
- Startups that advance attend an in-person “challenge” program, where contenders refine their value proposition and make a final pitch to farmers and investors in order to earn a seat in the AgLaunch365 Accelerator.
Winners participate in the Aglaunch365 Accelerator to focus on product and business development in a multiphase approach over a two-year period. The experience kicks off with a six-week business development session that includes farmer input and interaction with industry leaders and investors on go-to-market strategy, product development in farm trials and fundraising. After the accelerator, startups are ready to implement farm trials with AgLaunch’s farmer network and farm-trial platform across five regions that include the Mid-South, Southern Appalachia, the Southern Plains, the Mid-West and Northwest. Start-ups will be paired with farmers to trial their technologies on-farm, giving them the early ability to test, refine, and retest.
