Rithmio Raises $3.0 Million in Seed Funding

June 30, 2015, 11:17 am

≪ Previous: Holiday Hours for the Fourth of July

June 29, 2015 -Rithmio, the gesture recognition platform for wearables, today announced that it has closed a $3 million seed round of financing co-led by KGC Capital and Intel Capital. Participants included MAS Capital Pvt Ltd., OCA Ventures, Hyde Park Ventures Partners, Hyde Park Angels, Foley Ventures, MKRC Ventures, Serra Ventures, and New Coast Ventures. With this investment, Rithmio will expand its product, R&D, and sales teams to fulfill its vision as the world’s leading gesture recognition platform.

“We have the team, technology, and now strategic partnerships to take the motion-sensing market to the next level,” said Adam Tilton, CEO and co-founder of Rithmio. “Over the next year, we’ll work closely with the developer community on the next generation of wearables and other products built on Rithmio’s gesture recognition software.”

“Real-time analytics for user-specific physical activities represents a potential game changing technology for fitness, physical therapy, and rehabilitation applications,” said Steven Holmes, vice president of the New Devices Group and general manager of the Smart Device Innovation team at Intel. “Intel is exploring a wide range of potential applications for wearable tech and gesture recognition, and we look forward to working with Rithmio as they push the boundaries of their solution.”

In September of 2014, Rithmio raised $650,000 that was used to grow the team. Key hires included Kamil Chmielewski, Director of Software, Jen Quinlan, VP of Marketing, and Christian Nam, Designer. The seven-person team focuses on developing Rithmio’s core algorithms and SDK. Rithmio also opened a Chicago office in November 2014 at Catapult Chicago. This is in addition to its office in Champaign, IL at EnterpriseWorks Incubator, Research Park.

Rithmio was founded in 2013 through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “Great tech innovations and startups have come out of the University of Illinois. Rithmio is no exception,” said Chris Capps, CEO of KGC Capital. “We believe in Adam and Prashant’s vision.”

To learn more about Rithmio, visit http://rithmio.com or follow @rithmio.

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Laboratory Technician

July 2, 2015, 1:50 pm

≫ Next: 2015 Research Park Intern Awards

≪ Previous: Rithmio Raises $3.0 Million in Seed Funding

Company Name:

Xerion Advanced Battery Corp.

Category:

Engineering

Status:

Full-Time

Contact Email:

careers@xerionbattery.com

Description:

Xerion Advanced Battery Corp (XABC), a technology startup located in the University of Illinois Research Park, is in the late development stage of a fast charging, high power Li-ion battery. XABC is seeking applicants for a laboratory technician to assist with development and production tasks. Major areas of responsibility for this position:

· Equipment operation, as necessary to produce battery components and assemble them into prototype batteries for production lots in a job shop environment.

· Laboratory logistics, including supplying , organizing and tracking tools, production components, research samples, glassware, and chemical stock.

· Necessary maintenance of laboratory equipment.

· Chemical waste management tasks under the supervision of company safety officer.

· Routine characterization tests for battery prototypes.

To perform successfully in this position, the applicant will need to be highly motivated, self-starting and possess a strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills. Previous laboratory experience is highly desired, but not required.

Education Requirement: An Associates (required) or Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering or other related technical field.

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2015 Research Park Intern Awards

July 4, 2015, 2:08 pm

≫ Next: Champaign ranks 17 out of 50 U.S. Cities with the Most Doctoral Degree Holders

≪ Previous: Laboratory Technician

At the end of every summer, we celebrate with our annual Research Park Outstanding Intern Recognition Awards for student employees working for companies in the Research Park. We will honor 5 outstanding students with awards. A Planning Committee will review submissions and then students selected for the awards will be recognized at the Research Park Student Intern celebration. Award winners will be receive trophies commemorating their achievement and a small gift from the Research Park. Award winners and their mentor/nominating manager will be able to share a few remarks about their experience. Winners will be featured on the Research Park website and announced by press release for media coverage.

Check out last year's picnic: 2014 Awards and Picnic.

Nominate your intern HERE.

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Champaign ranks 17 out of 50 U.S. Cities with the Most Doctoral Degree Holders

July 6, 2015, 8:03 am

≫ Next: Crain’s Focuses on Caterpillar’s Data Strategy, Mentions Research Park Lab

≪ Previous: 2015 Research Park Intern Awards

Tenant:

John Deere Technology Innovation Center

Dow Chemical

The Research Park is proud to be the home of the John Deere Technology Innovation Center and Dow Chemical, both mentioned in this article.

"Champaign sits within what has been dubbed Illinois’ “Silicon Prairie,” an area that harbors many high technology companies. On top of the prestigious University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, several Fortune 500 firms are based in Champaign, with the likes of IBM, the Dow Chemical Company and Deere & Company all having offices in the city. The myriad of employment opportunities for the smart and accomplished perhaps goes some way to explaining why 6.9 percent of the city’s estimated 82,619 inhabitants in 2012 were in possession of a doctoral degree. Of course, though, life can’t be all work and no play, so it’s good to know that in 2013 NerdWallet.com labeled the combined Champaign-Urbana area as the fifth best locality in the country for “work-life balance” – something that even Ph.D. grads need from time to time."

See the full list here.

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Crain’s Focuses on Caterpillar’s Data Strategy, Mentions Research Park Lab

July 6, 2015, 8:11 am

≫ Next: Intern Summer Workshop Series: Stress Management

≪ Previous: Champaign ranks 17 out of 50 U.S. Cities with the Most Doctoral Degree Holders

Caterpillar's new focus on data-driven solutions for its products is making headlines.

Writes Crain's Chicago Business: "The big-data era requires a different focus. Rob Charter, a group president at Caterpillar, says the company wants to surround customers with a tech-savvy suite of products and services. It's about moving beyond simply making machines, he adds."

"'Originally, when we built product, it was about the product,' Charter says. 'What we think about all the time these days—and you'll see it more and more in people's thinking—is, how do we make a customer successful? And if they're successful and they rely on us, then we're successful.'"

Caterpillar's move to incorporate more big-data analytics into its business model could result in major gains for the company. Charter told Crain's Chicago Business that Caterpillar could potentially see a 30 to 40 percent increase in productivity from utilizing analytics.

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Intern Summer Workshop Series: Stress Management

July 7, 2015, 1:01 pm

≫ Next: Printer Instructions OSX

≪ Previous: Crain’s Focuses on Caterpillar’s Data Strategy, Mentions Research Park Lab

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Printer Instructions OSX

July 8, 2015, 2:40 pm

≫ Next: Printer Instructions Windows

≪ Previous: Intern Summer Workshop Series: Stress Management

http://www.researchpark.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/OSX%20Printer%20instructions_0.pdf

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Printer Instructions Windows

July 8, 2015, 2:43 pm

≫ Next: Aptimmune Biologics Raises $2.75 Million of Series A Funding Led by Arsenal Capital Management

≪ Previous: Printer Instructions OSX

http://www.researchpark.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/Windows%20Printer%20setup.pdf

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Aptimmune Biologics Raises $2.75 Million of Series A Funding Led by Arsenal Capital Management

July 9, 2015, 4:15 pm

≫ Next: Precision Agriculture & GIS Scientist

≪ Previous: Printer Instructions Windows

Tenant:

Aptimmune Biologics, Inc.

Company will create new swine vaccines based on advanced mucosal technology

New CEO joins the company to drive development and commercialization

CHAMPAIGN, Illinois – July 9, 2015 – Aptimmune Biologics, a mucosal vaccine company developing novel swine vaccines for PRRSV and influenza virus, has received $2.75 million of funding from Arsenal Capital Management, Fox Ventures LLC, and a group of Midwest angel investors.

“PRRSV and influenza virus are a growing threat to swine health worldwide. Their combined annual economic impact on the U.S. swine industry alone is over $1.4 billion. Our new vaccine portfolio will change the management of these diseases, significantly improve swine health and producer productivity,” said Dr. Federico Zuckermann, Aptimmune’s founder and Chief Scientific Officer.

Dr. Zuckermann is a leading swine immunologist, professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and inventor of patented vaccine technologies commercialized by Aptimmune. He has dedicated the last 30 years to better understanding PRRSV and other swine diseases that plague producers.

Aaron Gilbertie, who joined the company as CEO weeks before the funding, will lead the company through pipeline development, product registration, and commercialization of Aptimmune’s revolutionary vaccines.

“This funding positions Aptimmune to accelerate its mucosal vaccine candidates through development and product registration. Our vaccines will fundamentally change the way we think about and practice vaccination of swine,” said Gilbertie.

He notes that Aptimmune’s new product offerings are based on a strong and extensive intellectual property portfolio. Arsenal Capital Management (ACM) is a St. Louis-based venture capital group with investments in biotech, medical technology, IT, and consumer goods.

Aptimmune joins other notable ACM biotech investments including Kypha, KEW Group, and Appistry.

“We’ve monitored Aptimmune’s progress through our relationship with Common Place Holdings. I’m pleased this investment validates our approach to invest early in promising companies and provide additional support as growth demands,” said Arsenal managing director Pete Reinecke.

ACM is the sole outside source of funding for seed fund Common Place Holdings (CPH). CPH was an Aptimmune Series AA investor and business advisor.

Fox Ventures is a Champaign-based investment firm that assists companies with consulting, networking, recruitment, and financial resources.

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Precision Agriculture & GIS Scientist

July 10, 2015, 6:47 am

≫ Next: IT Support Intern

≪ Previous: Aptimmune Biologics Raises $2.75 Million of Series A Funding Led by Arsenal Capital Management

Company Name:

John Deere Technology Innovation Center

Category:

Data Analytics

Status:

Full-Time

Salary Range:

Commensurate with experience

Contact Email:

ArmstrongKevinL@JohnDeere.com

Description:

Position Announcement: Precision Agriculture & GIS Scientist

Job Description:

The John Deere Technology Innovation Center (JDTIC), located at Research Park on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, is seeking a Precision Agriculture & GIS Scientist to join our team. This role will consist of using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical techniques, and agronomic knowledge to develop business opportunities. The focus will be on application of these concepts to increasing agricultural productivity and finding innovative solutions for our customers.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

Spatial (GIS) Modeling
Agronomy
Agricultural Equipment
Statistics (Regression, Mixed Models, Experimental Design)
Computer Science

What you will do:

Develop, organize, and maintain multi-project, geospatial databases.
Develop processes and code to scale multi-project work, including integration of climate, topography, soils, crop productivity, and equipment information.
Conduct GIS and statistical analyses of agronomic and equipment datasets.
Plan and execute short-term, small team research projects.
Develop presentations and communicate results to engineering and product teams.
Engage in active research projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Mentor and guide other team members on research work.

Educational/Experience Requirements:

M.S. or Ph.D. in quantitative and/or agronomic discipline, such as computer science, geography, statistics, crop sciences, agricultural engineering.
Experience with GIS in either closed source or open source (e.g. ESRI, QGIS).
Experience with statistical programming and analysis.
Able to program, preferably in programming languages such as Python, R, SAS, SQL, MATLAB.
Experience with experimental design, statistical model building, data visualization
Experience with farm operations for crop production (e.g. corn, soybean, wheat)
Ability to use Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) to document and communicate results.
Driven to create examples, and demonstrations to help management better understand the work.
Being able to work autonomously and in a team environment.
Good communication skills and enthusiasm to learn new technologies.

Salary and Benefits:

Pay rate commensurate with experience.

This is a full-time (40 hrs/week) contract position.

All work will be performed at JDTIC in Research Park.

About Us: More information about John Deere can be found at http://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/en_US/corporate/our_company/our_company.page

Contact: Please contact ArmstrongKevinL@JohnDeere.com about this position.

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IT Support Intern

July 10, 2015, 9:38 am

≫ Next: Intern Summer Workshop Series: Professional Etiquette

≪ Previous: Precision Agriculture & GIS Scientist

Company Name:

Akuna Capital

Category:

IT Professional

Status:

Internship

Contact Email:

Elizabeth.Gilbert@akunacapital.com

Description:

Akuna Capital is a fast-growing derivatives trading firm located in downtown Chicago that specializes in market-making and arbitrage. Founded in 2011, Akuna has quickly expanded from a start-up to a successful leader on US options exchanges and has already begun international expansion. In July of 2013 Akuna opened a dedicated technology office in the Research Park of the University of Illinois. The office houses a blend of full-time developers and student interns working on Akuna’s mission-critical systems. We’ve grown significantly from humble but determined beginnings and still proudly retain the spirit of a smaller, entrepreneurial start-up.

Job Description:

We are seeking an IT Support Intern to join our dynamic team at Akuna Capital. This person will own office support for the Champaign office as well as work closely with and receive mentorship and training on our proprietary systems from more senior members of the team in Chicago.

What you’ll do as an IT Support Intern:

· Responsible for proper workstation functionality and support

· Assist with proper network functionality and support

· Coordinate support work with remote IT staff to resolve issues

· Responsible for software deployment on QA and production-level systems

· Assist with configuration management activities and support software build automation environment

· Monthly trips up to the Chicago office to work directly with the IT Support team (schedule dependent)

Qualities that make great candidates:

· Pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or related field

· Available to work this summer and following school year

· Experience with system administration of Linux and Windows distributions

· Experience with hardware and software installation, removal and/or upgrades

· Experience with system monitoring and configuration management tools

· Basic knowledge of networking protocols, routing and switching

· Ability to generate scripts in Python, Perl and/or Bash

· Experience with development build environments for C/C++, Python, and/or Windows projects a plus

· Experience with Agile, Git, Jira, Makefiles/CMake and Jenkins a plus

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Intern Summer Workshop Series: Professional Etiquette

July 14, 2015, 8:17 am

≫ Next: Intern Summer Workshop Series: Negotiation

≪ Previous: IT Support Intern

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Intern Summer Workshop Series: Negotiation

July 15, 2015, 1:29 pm

≫ Next: Semester Intern - Application & Front-end Web Development

≪ Previous: Intern Summer Workshop Series: Professional Etiquette

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Semester Intern - Application & Front-end Web Development

July 16, 2015, 8:33 am

≫ Next: Data Analyst, IT Analyst, IT Research

≪ Previous: Intern Summer Workshop Series: Negotiation

Company Name:

Turn, Inc.

Category:

Engineering

IT Professional

Software Engineering

Status:

Internship

Contact Email:

champaign-jobs@turn.com

Description:

Interns - Applications and Front-end Engineer

About Turn

Turn delivers real-time insights that transform the way leading advertising agencies and enterprises make decisions. Our digital advertising hub enables audience planning, media execution, and real-time analytics from a single login, and provides point-and-click access to more than 150 integrated marketing technology partners. Turn is headquartered in Silicon Valley and provides its products and services worldwide. For more information, visit turn.com or follow @turnplatform.

About the Position

We are hiring software engineering interns to work with our Application Engineering team to maintain and improve the campaign management and data management applications used by our clients. This includes building new features through the entire web applications stack (Persistent storage to UI), using the latest front-end technologies, improving user-application interaction, scaling the storage layer, and keeping the existing systems running and responsive. Some technologies used include: Javascript, AngularJS, Java, Spring, Hibernate, relational and NoSQL databases, and Docker.

Interns work closely with the Engineering Team, Product Management, and the User Experience Team to help design our products. We practice agile methodologies with a focus on creating an exceptional customer experience.

We are mostly full stack developers with exposure to everything – back-end, front-end, and everything in between. Some projects may involve more front-end development using cutting-edge JavaScript frameworks; others also involve in touching the backend infrastructure APIs that interact with our data stores. In either case, the collaborative nature of the team allows you to constantly learn new things and work closely with some of the best and brightest software engineers.

At Turn, what you build has impact on millions and works to better the Internet. You’ll do this in a culture that promotes innovation, freedom, growth, and humor. You’ll work with people who are as passionate about web applications as you are, along with leading experts in distributed computing, data mining, and machine learning who build our backend platform.

Applicants may request a position for summer only, semester only, or both. Interviewing for the Fall'15 semester is already underway.

Location

Champaign, Illinois; On the University of Illinois campus in the Research Park

The recently-opened Turn Innovation Center, located in the University of Illinois Research Park, is Turn’s first engineering office outside of the corporate headquarters and the only innovation center for the company. The Turn Innovation Center offers the same excitement and challenges working in the fast-paced online advertising industry as Turn’s headquarters, but additionally offers the opportunities for professional and leadership growth of a new and expanding office. The Research Park, consistently ranked as one of the top research parks and tech incubators in the country, offers a variety of social and training events throughout the year. All employees at companies within the Research Park are affiliate members of the University, and receive benefits accordingly (http://www.researchpark.illinois.edu/at-illinois/affiliation-benefits).

In addition to our great environment, we offer a competitive salary, social and technical events, free snacks and occasionally meals, and other benefits.

Application

Please apply on the Turn Career's website at: http://jobsco.re/1EqmIIB

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. No phone calls and no recruiting agencies, please.

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Data Analyst, IT Analyst, IT Research

July 16, 2015, 2:19 pm

≫ Next: Rithmio's Relationship with Illinois Highlighted by Built in Chicago

≪ Previous: Semester Intern - Application & Front-end Web Development

Company Name:

John Deere Technology Innovation Center

Category:

Data Analytics

Status:

Part-Time

Contact Email:

JDJobs@JohnDeere.com

Description:

Ignite your passion for technology!

Work closely with over 50 of your fellow University of Illinois peers at the UIUC Research Park. Be part of an amazing team driving technology and fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation.

At our John Deere Technology Innovation Center, you gain valuable work experience while playing a critical role within our Global IT Year Round Internship Program. You will work part time (15-20 hours) during the school year and ramp up to full time throughout the summer.

What you get:

Paycheck & killer work experience
Free in-house Starbucks, hot tea and hot chocolate
Flexibility to work virtually
Earned Paid Time Off
$1k Tuition Reimbursement
401k matching
Career Advancement Opportunities

Your options are endless – how will you help us feed the world?

Click the link to view and apply to all of the great year round technology based internship opportunities John Deere has to offer: http://adtrk.tw/5eCR9

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Rithmio's Relationship with Illinois Highlighted by Built in Chicago

July 19, 2015, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: University of Illinois in Top Ten Best Public Universities for Tech Startups

≪ Previous: Data Analyst, IT Analyst, IT Research

EnterpriseWorks tenant Rithmio is expanding at a rapid pace, recently raising a $3M seed round. Rithmio develops gesture recognition technology for wearable devices.

Writes Built in Chicago: "With Rithmio’s motion gesture software, wearable tech like smart watches and smartphones (as well as prospective wearables like fitness clothing) can track, analyze, and ultimately personalize repetitive movement. But Rithmio isn’t interested in using the technology to develop their own applications."

This isn't Rithmio's first time in the spotlight. The company won the Cozad New Venture Competition in 2014, and walked away with a $25,000 prize. Their victory at the startup competition led to an additional $650,000 in funding from investors.

Rithmio CEO and founder Adam Tilton told Built in Chicago that he plans to expand the company's Champaign and Chicago offices. He also highlighted his company's relationship with the University.

Writes Built in Chicago: "Tilton said he intends to grow both the Chicago and Champaign offices concurrently. And, according to Tilton, Chicago is a stellar landing ground for young, talented engineers and developers—especially for Chicagoland Illini who don’t necessarily want to start their professional lives away from their families on the bookends of the country.

“'Our core technology and most of our founding team originated from the University of Illinois,' Tilton said. 'We maintain a strong connection with UIUC, and continue to source top tech talent for both internship and full-time positions.'"

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University of Illinois in Top Ten Best Public Universities for Tech Startups

July 20, 2015, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: Student Ambassador Program

≪ Previous: Rithmio's Relationship with Illinois Highlighted by Built in Chicago

The University of Illinois has been recognized as one of the leading public universities for tech startup talent by Tech.Co.

Writes Tech.Co: "The methodology took a composite of the rankings from US News and World Report for Computer Science, LinkedIn university rankings for Software Developers and Software Developers at Startups, and finally the number of companies being run by their respective alumni according to AngelList.

The University was ranked #7 of the top 8 public universities for tech startups. Another example of Illinois Innovation!

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Student Ambassador Program

July 21, 2015, 12:32 pm

≫ Next: Quad Day 2015

≪ Previous: University of Illinois in Top Ten Best Public Universities for Tech Startups

The Student Ambassador Program is a way for Research Park interns to become more involved. Student Ambassadors attend events around campus, such as career fairs, and discuss their experiences as Research Park interns. This program is meant to raise awareness about the great internship opportunities in the Park. This is a paid position.

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Quad Day 2015

July 21, 2015, 12:39 pm

≫ Next: Agrible, Inc. Announces $4.1 Million in Series A Funding Led by Serra Ventures

≪ Previous: Student Ambassador Program

Research Park will once again have a table at Quad Day! Come out to the University of Illinois Quad on August 23 between noon and 4pm to learn more about the Park along with tons of clubs and RSOs the University has to offer.

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Agrible, Inc. Announces $4.1 Million in Series A Funding Led by Serra Ventures

July 21, 2015, 4:13 pm

≫ Next: Intern Summer Workshop Series: Financial Literacy

≪ Previous: Quad Day 2015

Tenant:

Agrible

Serra Ventures

AGRICULTURE TECH STARTUP BRINGS ACTIONABLE PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS TO GROWERS

CHAMPAIGN, IL., July 21, 2015—Agrible, Inc., an agriculture technology start-up focused on predictive analytics, today announced a $4.1 million Series A round of funding. Serra Ventures is leading this round of investment and is joined by Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM).

Founded and grown in the Midwest, Agrible, Inc. produces actionable predictive analytics tools that help growers and agricultural companies increase yields and profitability through field-specific data and forecasts. In February 2015, the company launched Morning Farm Report, the delivery infrastructure for its four products: Rainfall, Field Intel, Tractor Time, and Yield Engine.

Agrible is a recent graduate of the EnterpriseWorks incubator in Champaign, having recently moved into larger space in the University of Illinois Research Park. Serra Ventures is also located in the Research Park; ADM also has a Research Park operation.

Morning Farm Report provides highly accurate forecasts and data on fieldwork logistics, yield estimates, rainfall, growing degree days, and more, through annual subscriptions to each product. Morning Farm Report not only reports what has already happened on a field, but also provides growers with forecasts and actionable recommendations to help with decision making.

“What Agrible is delivering with Morning Farm Report is cutting-edge predictive analytics technology that hasn’t been seen before,” said Agrible CEO Chris Harbourt. “The majority of our team has a background in agriculture, and it shows. You can feel the energy and expertise of our team in the software we produce and the actionable analytics we provide.”

As a part of the investment round, ADM will help to facilitate the distribution of the Morning Farm Report product. This commercial relationship will give Agrible immediate access to thousands of growers representing million acres of farmland throughout the Midwest.

In addition, this funding will allow Agrible to expand its team and continue improving Morning Farm Report. Development will also begin on new tools to influence the future of agriculture.

“We’re excited to work with Agrible as they grow and continue to build on existing revenue channels,” said Dennis Beard, Partner with Serra Ventures. “The relationship Agrible has developed with ADM represents a stamp of approval on the uniqueness of their products and vision. We have been excited about ag data opportunities for some time and feel that the Agrible team has the experience, ability, and technical know-how to be very successful.”

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AGRICULTURE TECH STARTUP BRINGS ACTIONABLE PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS TO GROWERS

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