Second Cohort of International Startups Complete Cultivo™ Virtual Academy

Startups from six countries interacted with Iowa business, research, government and
entrepreneurial leaders during six-week program

DES MOINES, IOWA – Six international startup companies have successfully completed the second
session of the Cultivo™ Virtual Academy The six-week virtual program provided participants with
mentorship, interaction with Iowa’s agricultural leaders and an online curriculum focused on U.S.
market entry, regulatory and financing systems, and customer perspectives. America’s Cultivation
Corridor hosted and coordinated the Cultivo Virtual Academy in partnership with its investors and
supporting organizations. The Iowa Economic Development Authority was the presenting sponsor of
the program.

“The Cultivo Virtual Academy attracts some of the most exciting and innovative international startups
as they move toward bringing their products and technologies to the U.S. agricultural marketplace,”
were extremely impressed with all of the companies who completed the program and are moving said
Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority.
“We are excited to be able to help them build valuable connections with Iowa’s research, farming and
business leaders as they refine products and business strategies for a launch to U.S. farmers, livestock
producers and ag companies.”

The cohort members included:
• Biolevel, United Kingdom, produces tailored microbial products that improve the health of soil
while stimulating plant growth and allowing farmers to reduce bulk fertilizer application.
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• Biotecland, Brazil, uses applied microbiology, especially microalgae, to increase productivity,
reduce costs and environmental impact in agriculture.
• Futuro Farming GmbH, Germany, has developed a patented sensor system for calf pens that can
monitor calf behavior and serve as an early warning system for health issues or disease
outbreaks.
• GramworkX, India, provides a smart farm resource management tool which helps farmers guide,
optimize and monitor use of water in irrigation systems.
• Reazent, Canada, has developed organic alternatives to protect plants from pests and disease.
• Tottori Resource Recycling Inc., Japan, uses a recycled glass product as a soil additive to reduce
fertilizer and water needs and increase productivity.

“The Cultivo Virtual Academy is unique not only because of its strong curriculum, but most importantly
by the engagement and interaction with Iowa’s food and ag leadership. In addition to session
presenters and roundtable leaders, cohort members made more than 50 connections with
researchers, business leaders and farmers,” said Billi Hunt, executive director of America’s Cultivation
Corridor. “Entering the U.S. marketplace can seem overwhelming for startups bringing new
innovations to the industry. The Cultivo program is designed to provide the knowledge and
introductions that will allow cohort members to successfully navigate a path to market in the United
States.”

Applications are currently being accepted for the third cohort, planned to start in March 2022. For
more information on the program, or to learn about opportunities to sponsor or participate in a future
cohort, visit Cultivo Virtual Academy or contact Tracy Uhlman, senior
director at America’s Cultivation Corridor at tuhlman@cultivationcorridor.org.

Investors and partners of America’s Cultivation Corridor are working together to accelerate the
development of new technologies, strengthen Iowa’s ag bioscience workforce, and attract economic
development, all focused on meeting the challenge of feeding a growing world population in a
sustainable way.

Stakeholders in America’s Cultivation Corridor include Iowa State University, Corteva Agriscience,
Deere & Company, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Iowa Pork Producers, Kent Corporation,
MidAmerican Energy Company, Ames Economic Development Corporation, Iowa Corn Promotion
Board, Iowa Farm Bureau, ISG, Kemin, REG, Sukup Manufacturing, HyVee and Scoular.
More information is available at CultivationCorridor.org, or by following on Twitter, LinkedIn,
Instagram, and Facebook.

About America’s Cultivation Corridor
Focused on further developing and marketing the world-renowned agricultural and bioscience
economy in Iowa, America’s Cultivation Corridor is building on a rich history of innovation to
accelerate value-added agriculture business development by attracting companies, talent and
capital from across the globe to the state. Representing a diverse public-private coalition of
stakeholders including Iowa State University, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Ames Chamber of
Commerce, nonprofits and private sector companies from across the region and state, the
Cultivation Corridor is one of the nation’s foremost cluster-based economic development
organizations. For more information, visit CultivationCorridor.org.