Iowa Ag Expo – Innovation After Hours

Iowa Ag Expo’s 2nd Annual Innovation After Hours: An Exclusive Evening of Networking and Cutting-Edge Innovation

JAMIE MERTZ Director of Dealer and Government Affairs [jamiem@ineda.com]

On Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, marked the second annual Iowa Ag Expo Innovation After Hours Event held in the Junior Ballroom at the EMC Insurance Expo Center (formerly the Iowa Events Center). More than 100 start-ups, investors, and executives from across the state and beyond gathered for an evening dedicated to fostering connections and collaboration. Designed to strengthen relationships between start-ups and investors, the event provided a platform for entrepreneurs, potential investors, association members, and key stakeholders to network and exchange ideas. Among the distinguished guests in attendance was Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig.

The evening began with a lively cocktail hour, follow by Kaylee Williams of InnoVenture Iowa setting the tone with the engaging start-up pitch session.

The following innovative companies showcased their ideas:

• Gripp (WI) – Founder and CEO Tracey Wiedmeyer. Gripp provides “dead simple” broad based operational record keeping and communication tools for Agriculture allowing them to centralize tribal knowledge, critical equipment & asset information and their related conversations.

• Persistent BioControl (IA) – Founder and CEO Keegan Shields. Offers farmers a new tool to combat soil insects, persistent biocontrol (Entomopathogenic) nematodes.

• Midland Co (IA) – Founder and CEO Jackson Kimle. Our beachhead market includes a turn-key contract grower system for shrimp production using proprietary, innovative technology, the Algae-Based RAS® (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems).

• Agriwater (TN) – Founder and CEO Dr. Bianca Bailer. Focused on implementing onsite wastewater treatment systems for livestock farmers to help ease the burden of waste management.

• Skysense AI (WA) – Founder and CEO Justin Clune. AI-powered drone technology company that addresses labor shortages and rising input costs in agriculture. By delivering precise maps of stand counts, weed pressure, and irrigation issues, we help farm managers make faster, in-season corrective actions to reduce wasted water, pesticides, and labor.

• Sentinel Fertigation (NE) – Founder and CEO Jackson Stansell. Sentinel Fertigation uses software that leverages satellite imagery, weather, and other data to provide nitrogen management recommendations optimized for profitability.

This year, unlike last year, we introduced a $10,000 showcase award for the top start-up, along with a $1,000 “People’s Choice” award for the start-up that the crowd voted as the best of the evening. All participating companies delivered outstanding presentations, making it a tough decision for the judges. The judging panel for the $10,000 showcase award were Myron Stine (Stine Seed), Billi Hunt (America’s Cultivation Corridor), and Josh Demers (The Combine).

Start-Up Showcase

The winner of the 2025 Innovation After Hours Pitch competition was Midland Co (IA), Jackson Kimle.

People’s Choice Award winner was Gripp (WI), Tracey Wiedmeyer.

The success of this event is made possible through the strong partnership we have with our sponsors. Below is our list of sponsors for 2025:

• Farm Credit Services of America

• Iowa State University

• Ag Startup Engine

• BioConnect Iowa

• InnoVenture Iowa

• Catch Des Moines

A special thanks goes out to the committee members who played a vital role in planning the event and ensuring its continued success. Committee members represented INEDA, Iowa State University, InnoVenture Iowa, and Plug & Play. Kevin Kimle (ISU) gave a heartfelt tribute to the late Bill Northey, former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, who served on the planning committee for the 2024 event and passed away just days after its conclusion. He was a great mentor,leader, and friend to many and will be remembered for years to come.

A new addition to this year’s event was an opportunity for a company that applied to the pitch competition but was not selected for the showcase to still present their product and innovation to the guests during the dessert portion of the dinner. This year that company was Amos Power out of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

• AMOS Power (IA) – Founder and CEO, Tom Boe. AMOS Power manufactures fully electric autonomous tractors. They utilize an innovative tri-motor design unlike any tractor on the market and maintain the largest horsepower of any electric tractor sold. Their vehicle architecture allows them to significantly reduce the components required to build a functional tractor. No clutch, no transmission and no differential. AMOS Power begins full production in the summer of 2025.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The 2nd Innovation After Hours was a tremendous success, strengthening Iowa’s position as a hub for agricultural innovation. With growing momentum, we look forward to an even bigger event next year! 