Led · Series A · Aug 2021

Gross-Wen Technologies builds algae-based wastewater treatment systems using a patented revolving algae biofilm (RAB) technology to recover nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater. The system allows municipalities and industries to retrofit existing treatment plants to address nutrient management economically and sustainably. During treatment the algae consume CO2 and the resulting algae biomass is sold as a slow-release algal fertilizer or used for bioplastic. The company’s technology was developed at Iowa State University and was founded by Dr. Martin Gross and Dr. Zhiyou Wen. Gross-Wen is based in Slater, Iowa. The company raised a $6.5M Series A to accelerate growth in Iowa and expand operations and business reach.

Participated · Seed · Dec 2019

FarmlandFinder operates a web app that lists farmland for sale for free and offers a $50 premium subscription that unlocks soil mapping, satellite and hyperspectral imagery analysis, yield-related data and comparable recent sales. The product combines precision‑ag data with residential and commercial real‑estate workflows to increase transparency in a traditionally opaque farmland market. Some features are available nationwide while other premium services are currently offered in 12 Midwestern states. The company is focused on farmland sales today but sees opportunities to apply its data and platform to other parts of the agriculture industry. Farmers and landowners have expressed concern about data use, and the company emphasizes it does not collect individual farm data from landowners. FarmlandFinder is led by founder and CEO Steven Brockshus, a fifth‑generation farmer from Northwest Iowa.