An initiative in the Iowa State University Research Park in Ames has attracted an investment firm to back their plans to help developing ag businesses succeed. The Ag Startup Engine was created to help address two fundamental gaps that prevent agricultural startups and entrepreneurs from being more successful in Iowa: early seed stage investment and mentorship from successful Iowans. Next Level Ventures, a Des Moines capital firm, joined four other investors on the project. The Ag Startup Engine aims to provide ISU agricultural entrepreneurs a structured means of moving from an early business concept to an investment ready business by providing mentoring, product development and customer acquisition. The initiative is halfway to their goal of eight to 10 investors.
