Iowa Corn Opportunities

Iowa Corn Opportunities, LLC (ICO) is an equity fund established by the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) to: Make profitable, strategic, value-added investments that will benefit Iowa’s corn grower members. Facilitate new business development opportunities for Iowa’s corn growers. Leverage investments to facilitate and coordinate further investment by individual corn growers. Iowa Corn Opportunities is a limited liability company solely owned by the ICGA, and directed by an eight-member board of managers.

Jon Leafstedt

President

4 past transactions

Tractor Zoom

Series A in 2020
Tractor Zoom, Inc. operates an online platform that connects farm equipment auctioneers with potential buyers. Founded in 2017 and based in Urbandale, Iowa, the company provides a mobile application designed for auctioneers to list and promote farm machinery auctions while allowing buyers to search and browse available equipment. Additionally, Tractor Zoom serves as a search engine for heavy equipment auctions and a database for market trends, utilizing big data and technology to help customers efficiently find and assess the value of heavy equipment. Through its innovative approach, Tractor Zoom aims to simplify the business processes and decision-making of its users in the agricultural sector.

Powerpollen

Series B in 2020
Powerpollen LLC is an AgTech company based in Ankeny, Iowa, focused on enhancing seed production and agricultural productivity through advanced cross-pollination technologies. Founded in 2015, the company has developed a patent-pending process that allows for the collection, preservation, and application of pollen to improve both yield potential and genetic purity in corn parent seed production. This innovative approach aims to significantly increase productivity while reducing seed production costs by 20%. Powerpollen's on-demand pollination solutions are designed to mitigate risks associated with decreased crop output, thereby supporting more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.

Agrivida

Venture Round in 2017
Agrivida, Inc. is an agricultural biotechnology company that specializes in developing feed additives and renewable biomass-based alternative fuels. Founded in 2002 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Agrivida focuses on nutritional solutions for a variety of livestock, including poultry, swine, dairy and beef cattle, and aquaculture. The company offers products such as GRAINZYME, a phytase feed additive for poultry, and INzyme Enzymes, which provide regulated enzymes for various applications including detergents and food production. In addition, Agrivida develops corn varieties optimized for producing ethanol from corn stover, contributing to the production of clean-burning, renewable fuels.

Benson Hill

Seed Round in 2014
Benson Hill is an agricultural technology company focused on crop improvement, particularly in soy protein innovation. By leveraging its proprietary CropOS™ platform, the company integrates machine learning, genomic data, and traditional breeding techniques to streamline the development of healthier and more sustainable food products. Benson Hill emphasizes unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants to empower innovators in creating flavorful and nutritious ingredients. The company operates a Crop Accelerator for rapid prototyping and is developing a diverse seed portfolio that includes protein ingredients, aquaculture, specialty animal feed, and vegetable oils. Its revenue is generated from both proprietary and non-proprietary product categories, reflecting its commitment to advancing agricultural innovation.