Incubator programs are designed to give entrepreneurs and growing startups a boost towards success. In the age of a technological renaissance allowing more and more people to work from home, it is necessary to seek out any advantage to help your startup thrive and outperform competitors.
Industry-specific incubators allow entrepreneurs to connect with like-minded individuals through mentorships and general networking, as well as providing a positive workspace that promotes innovative thinking and growth.
Here are some of the best AgTech Incubators and why:
ACRE AgTech Incubator
ACRE AgTech is Michigan’s first agricultural incubator program helping clients accelerate the process of getting their agricultural technology into the commercial market. Although ACRE supports AgTech startups, there are overall fewer investments in AgTech in Michigan due to large investors lacking knowledge about the agricultural industry and how agricultural technology could be improved.
Nebraska Combine Incubator
One incredible benefit of Combine is they offer a physical workspace located on Nebraska’s Innovation Campus. This bridges the gap between the University of Nebraska and private businesses, facilitating an intricate network of academics and professionals in the AgTech industry. In late 2020, the Innovation Campus even received a $600,000 grant from the federal government to assist the growth of new programs under the Combine Incubator!
Located in Nebraska, the heart of the agricultural industry in the United States, Combine seeks to support farmers throughout the state and promote the growth of Nebraska’s entrepreneurial economy.
Due to the prime location known for agriculture and farming, Combine offers unique access to the best resources for AgTech startups.
AgLaunch
AgLaunch supports AgTech startups in the growth of their business by connecting investors and mentors in the farming industry from across the United States. AgLaunch offers a virtual boot camp which is beneficial for the busy farmer and business owner to gain new knowledge from the comfort of their home. Additionally, the AgLaunch365 year-long accelerator program offers customers an opportunity to showcase their technology at a demonstration day focused on investors. However, upcoming application dates are not available on their website. AgLaunch promotes the growth of businesses by getting involved during the early stages of companies in exchange for equities that are negotiated case-by-case.
Wells Fargo IN2 Innovation Incubator
The IN2 incubator serves to assist startups in the acceleration toward the market. Within this model, startups are paired with a researcher for assistance and mentorship towards growth, as well as providing access to NREL or Danforth Center’s facilities. This incubator is suitable for clients throughout the United States within the clean technology or agricultural industry, so it is not specifically targeted towards the AgTech industry.
When deciding which AgTech Incubator is ideal to support the growth of your startup, it is necessary to evaluate your specific business needs. A business designed to promote agricultural technological advancements is best suited for an Incubator rooted in an area known for agricultural production because the resources and connections available within the industry will be perfectly tailored towards your business goals and needs.
The Combine is an industry-specific incubator. Specifically focused on AgTech, The Combine provides startups with resources, a network, and expertise in the agriculture and technology industry. Invest Nebraska’s Combine Incubator is a statewide initiative focused on supporting high-growth agri-food entrepreneurs through mentoring, commercialization support, physical incubation space on Nebraska's Innovation Campus, and a network of supporting farmers and ranchers across the state. Invest Nebraska is a private, non-profit statewide venture development organization focused on high-growth companies in Nebraska and growing the state’s entrepreneurial economy. Invest Nebraska works directly with entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies to help commercialize their technologies, launch and grow new businesses, and access needed capital.
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