FRESNO, Calif. - A total of 10 ventures were recently accepted into the fall 2021 program of the Valley Ventures accelerator, solidifying the program’s sixth cohort since its inception in 2017. The companies will begin the program on September 7, 2021 and will join in on mentorship experiences and engagement opportunities with top-tier industry leaders in agriculture and technology. Each of the 10 ventures provided the brief descriptions that follow.
About Climformatics
Climformatics uses AI to predict future climate to drive business decisions. With the rising number of climate-driven catastrophes, extreme climate is no longer a rare possibility, but an inevitability. Anticipating changes in local climate and extreme events could result in proactive risk assessment and mitigation which can save millions of dollars in catastrophic losses. At Climformatics, we are building a tool to predict future climate at any custom location for any future timescale (daily, seasonal, to years ahead). Our forecasts are as accurate as the daily forecast but one year ahead. Climformatics predictive tool will proactively mitigate risk for gradual and unforeseen climate events that can benefit farmers, businesses, governments and other stakeholders to prepare, adapt and mitigate the inescapable impact of climate change.
About Fluid Robotics
At Fluid Robotics, we are building a smart wastewater surveillance ecosystem so cities can sustainably reduce urban water pollution. Our technology is a combination of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), that monitors the health of wastewater infrastructure and the health of communities that are connected to it.
About Hexas Biomass Inc.
Hexas Biomass Inc. (Hexas) is a biomaterials company that produces plant-based raw material from our proprietary Xano Grass™. We sell conversion-ready Xano Grass™ fiber to our customers for use in multiple applications: bioenergy, composite/engineered materials, structural and non-structural products, pulp and paper, biochemicals, bioplastics, and numerous other applications. Our fiber is a drop-in solution for current manufacturing systems, so our biomaterials solution is disruptive without interrupting existing supply chains and production systems or altering product functionality and aesthetic appeal. Hexas has developed a cradle-to-customer platform that assures consistent fiber properties and reliable delivery. Xano Grass™ does multi-duty by providing multiple ecosystem services, bioremediation, and superior carbon sequestration capabilities.
About Howe Neat Inc.
Howe Neat, Inc. specializes in solutions that make remote monitoring and task management easier. Based out of Benicia, California, Howe Neat has developed low-cost Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to meet customer needs since 2018. Howe Neat Inc.’s new product, neatMon, provides a robust, future-proof platform to develop new solutions, such as for irrigation system monitoring and control.
About Kairospace Technologies
Kairospace Technologies is a strategic innovation hub that optimizes water processes by leveraging cutting-edge technologies and advanced science. We provide integrated solutions for many water-related issues arising in a variety of industries, with a goal of increasing system efficiency and decreasing environmental impact. We are committed to supporting businesses and governments in reaching their sustainable development goals, by collaborating towards a cleaner and more renewable future.
About Nurture Growth Biofertilizer
Nurture Growth Bio is an award-winning, circular economy company that is stepping up to solve some of the world’s biggest problems with the help of the world’s smallest organisms. As pesticides and harmful chemicals are impacting the environment and human health, our solution is to provide growers with an effective, economical and environmentally safe biofertilizer. Nurture Growth Bio rescues and upcycles food waste that is destined for landfills and transforms it into an eco-friendly microbial fertilizer. The food waste feeds the beneficial microbes in our biofertilizer and, when applied to plants, it builds healthy soils which promotes vigorous plants.
About RHST Industries
RHST Industries (RHST) has developed disruptive technology that directly impacts sustainable and enhanced agricultural outcomes by extending the actual usable life of water via its proprietary, patented “Water Pearl” composite. The Water Pearl will redefine what is possible in agriculture by dramatically slowing the evaporation rate of soil moisture while enhancing key growth points during the lifecycle of any crop. This is accomplished by reducing water consumption between 30-50% coupled with a 20-30% increase in plant yields via a peerless, efficient management experience of freshwater resources specific to agriculture. Our commitment in tackling issues of water sustainability and improving agricultural productivity, while recognizing our unique role in sustainable water-use management across the food value chain will be evident by crisp, clear execution supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About Tectonicus Constructs
Tectonicus Constructs LLC is an architecture, research, and prototyping firm intent on mitigating climate change through creative and deployable solutions. By placing solar panels over canals, Solar River can bring utility-scale solar energy to agricultural and environmentally fragile landscapes without the massive impacts. The structure, called a Canal Spanning Solar Power (CSSP) system, allows canal owners and operators to make use of underutilized land for photovoltaic power generation and auxiliary income.
About Verdi
Verdi is helping farmers customize nutrition for every plant, allowing crops to reach their optimum potential no matter what climate, terrain, or soil they grow in. Our technology allows farmers to augment existing farm infrastructure with swarms of smart actuators that enable location-specific delivery of water, fertilizer and other inputs.
About Vertical AgriTech
Vertical AgriTech is a California-based agtech startup building cultivation software and smart devices for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). Our flagship product is a programmable indoor garden called the “Alchemist.” Alchemists connect to our proprietary web application, “Room2Table.” Room2Table allows “Tastemakers” (our subscribers) to control their Alchemists from anywhere in the world and interact with other Tastemakers. These technologies are the foundation upon which we are building a data-driven, self-reliant food community capable of quickly exchanging information globally while producing exciting, nutritious ingredients hyper-locally. Our goal is to create a decentralized farming community based around a network of aesthetically appealing, programmable, modular and affordable indoor gardens that are both space- and resource-efficient.
“I am thrilled to welcome a sixth cohort into our Valley Ventures accelerator with technologies that provide solutions for water, energy, and agriculture,” said Venture Development Manager, Jeff Macon. “Our accelerator program has come a long way since 2017, and we have proudly assisted 60 companies on their paths to commercialization in the California marketplace. I very much look forward to adding 10 more companies to that list.”
The Valley Ventures sixth cohort (VV6) will conclude their participation in the accelerator program on October 28, 2021 then will transition into the next phase —the 10-month Valley Ventures advisory services program. This program provides an individualized approach where ventures will work closely with Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center staff to develop milestones related to growth and fundraising. While accomplishing these milestones, ventures will be paired with a variety of entrepreneurs and industry professionals who have either successfully grown their own startup or possess significant industry insight. This group of advisors has a broad range of expertise in California water, energy, and agtech markets.
Over the full program year, Valley Ventures cohort six participants will work closely with the WET Center and its resources to achieve growth in revenue, market presence, product-market fit, and fundraising.
To learn more about the Valley Ventures accelerator and advisory services, please visit https://www.valleyventures.org
For questions regarding the Valley Ventures program, please contact Jeff Macon at jeffmacon@mail.fresnostate.edu.
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