Open Prairie

Open Prairie is a private equity firm based in Effingham, Illinois, with a strong focus on agriculture and rural communities. Founded in 1997, the company is dedicated to enhancing financial access in underserved areas. Open Prairie manages investment portfolios that encompass a range of sectors, including agriculture, life sciences, medical devices, software, information technology, energy, manufacturing, and real estate. The firm leverages its expertise to support businesses in these industries, aiming to drive growth and innovation while fostering economic development in rural America.

Doxsie, Tom

Partner

Patrick Morand

President

Jim Schultz

Founder and Chairman

Lee Strom

Partner

Jason Wrone

Vice President

34 past transactions

HerdDogg

Series A in 2024
HerdDogg is a global herd health and data science platform. It is a two-part system that helps ranchers track health and proximity data from their herd. The company's device gathers the data captured by the ear tags and reports it directly to the rancher via an app or web database.

HerdDogg

Series A in 2023
HerdDogg is a global herd health and data science platform. It is a two-part system that helps ranchers track health and proximity data from their herd. The company's device gathers the data captured by the ear tags and reports it directly to the rancher via an app or web database.

Vytelle

Series B in 2023
Vytelle, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Hermiston, Oregon, focused on enhancing livestock genetics for beef and dairy producers. Founded in 2015 and originally named Cogent IVF, Vytelle specializes in ovum pick-up and embryo production services, which include implantation and post-in vitro fertilization consultation. The company utilizes an integrated technology platform that employs reproductive technology and a proprietary culture system free from fetal calf serum. This innovative approach produces freezable embryos, allowing commercial producers to achieve sustainable genetic gains across generations. Vytelle aims to reshape the cattle industry by optimizing herd performance through advanced reproductive techniques.

IngredientWerks

Seed Round in 2023
IngredientWerks is a molecular farming company founded in 2022 and based in Woburn, Massachusetts. The company focuses on improving the taste and experience of plant-based foods by enhancing the protein content in plants. This innovative approach allows IngredientWerks to sustainably design and produce food ingredients, catering to the growing demand for alternative proteins. By offering enhanced taste and quality at reduced costs, the company aims to provide sustainable solutions for clients in the rapidly expanding alternative protein market.

LandscapeHub

Series A in 2022
LandscapeHub is a digital B2B marketplace that connects buyers and suppliers in the landscaping industry through a centralized online platform. By aggregating inventory and pricing from quality suppliers across the country, LandscapeHub enhances efficiency and fosters network building among participants. The platform provides valuable market insights, enabling users to streamline the procurement process for landscaping materials. This approach allows buyers to access a comprehensive selection of products in one convenient location, thereby improving operational efficiencies for nursery and landscape supply distributors.

Vytelle

Series A in 2021
Vytelle, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Hermiston, Oregon, focused on enhancing livestock genetics for beef and dairy producers. Founded in 2015 and originally named Cogent IVF, Vytelle specializes in ovum pick-up and embryo production services, which include implantation and post-in vitro fertilization consultation. The company utilizes an integrated technology platform that employs reproductive technology and a proprietary culture system free from fetal calf serum. This innovative approach produces freezable embryos, allowing commercial producers to achieve sustainable genetic gains across generations. Vytelle aims to reshape the cattle industry by optimizing herd performance through advanced reproductive techniques.

Comet Biorefining

Series C in 2021
Comet Biorefining is a leading provider of sustainable high-quality cost-competitive cellulosic glucose technology for applications in renewable biofuels and biochemicals. The company’s proprietary technology allows for the conversion of wood, wheat straw, bagasse, corn stover and other agricultural waste materials into high purity cellulosic glucose syrup. These non-food sources offer lower cost and price stability when compared to food sugar sources such as corn or sugar cane. Demonstrated at 5 dry tons per day scale, Comet is focusing on commercial scale up and development of commercial partnerships with applications in renewables industries.

HerdDogg

Series A in 2021
HerdDogg is a global herd health and data science platform. It is a two-part system that helps ranchers track health and proximity data from their herd. The company's device gathers the data captured by the ear tags and reports it directly to the rancher via an app or web database.

FreshFry

Venture Round in 2020
FreshFry LLC, based in Louisville, Kentucky, specializes in frying oil purification solutions aimed at enhancing sustainability in commercial kitchens. Founded in 2014, the company offers innovative products such as the FreshFry porous pod cover and a cooking oil filtration pod. These products are designed to purify frying oil by capturing dissolved impurities, including free fatty acids and polar molecules, thereby extending the oil's life and improving its quality. By simplifying the process of oil filtration, FreshFry enables food businesses to maintain cleaner and brighter cooking oil, allowing them to concentrate on food preparation while promoting a more sustainable approach to cooking oil usage.

Farmer Focus

Venture Round in 2019
Farmer Focus, founded in 2014 by sixth-generation farmer Corwin Heatwole, is a unique chicken company that is both 100% USDA organic and Humane Certified®. The company is dedicated to promoting generational family farms by returning farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership to the farmers, enhancing their financial stability and profitability. Farmer Focus operates a network of local farmers who raise chickens in an organic, non-GMO environment without antibiotics. The brand emphasizes the importance of fresh and healthy food, making its products available in approximately 2,500 stores across the East Coast and Midwest, including major retailers. Farmer Focus is committed to producing high-quality, humanely raised chicken that benefits consumers, the environment, and animal welfare.

Nutriati

Series C in 2019
Nutriati, Inc. is a company that specializes in researching, developing, and producing plant-based food products, primarily focusing on gluten-free chickpea protein and chickpea flour. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Henrico, Virginia, Nutriati offers functional plant-based ingredients that meet the growing consumer demand for high-protein and non-allergenic foods. Its products are designed to provide a clean taste profile and the necessary functional performance for various applications, including bread, baked goods, pasta, sauces, snacks, and non-dairy plant-based meat. By supplying these ingredients, Nutriati supports food companies in creating innovative products that cater to health-conscious consumers.

Agrivida

Venture Round in 2019
Agrivida, Inc. is an animal health and nutrition company that specializes in developing feed additives for various livestock, including poultry, swine, dairy, beef cattle, and aquaculture. Founded in 2003 and based in Four Seasons, Missouri, Agrivida focuses on innovative enzyme solutions to enhance animal nutrition. Its flagship product, GRAINZYME, utilizes advanced technology to produce beneficial enzymes such as phytase and glucanase within corn kernels. This approach allows for a natural and efficient means of integrating these enzymes into animal diets, promoting healthier livestock while also reducing environmental impact. Agrivida's mission is to provide effective nutrition solutions that support sustainable food production across the agriculture sector.

Vestaron

Series B in 2019
Vestaron Corporation specializes in the development, manufacture, and sale of peptide-based biologic crop protection products. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with a research and development center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Vestaron offers a range of bioinsecticides including Spear-T, Spear-Lep, and Leprotec, which target various pests in vegetables, fruits, and field crops. The company aims to enhance crop safety, efficacy, and sustainability by providing biopesticides that address resistance issues while ensuring safety for workers and the environment. Vestaron has received notable accolades for its innovative solutions, including the Bernard Blum Award and the Green Chemistry Challenge Award, recognizing its commitment to environmental stewardship and effective crop protection.

Green Dot Bioplastics

Series A in 2019
Green Dot is a full-service bio-plastic company with a wide range of sustainable materials including wood-plastic composites, starch bio-composites, and biodegradable composites. Its mission is to improve the environment in which we live by building a more sustainable world with renewable bio-based resins and promoting their use through invention, creation, and research. It was founded in 2011 and headquartered in Emporia, Kansas.

MyAgData

Debt Financing in 2018
MyAgData is a cloud-based agricultural data management platform that streamlines the data collection and reporting required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for crop insurance and Farm Service Agency program participation. The platform allows farmers to efficiently upload data recorded during field activities, such as planting and harvesting, to a centralized system. This automation eliminates the need for manual mapping of field boundaries, significantly reducing the time and effort involved in meeting regulatory obligations. By simplifying these processes, MyAgData supports farmers in managing their agricultural data more effectively.

Tillerman & Co.

Debt Financing in 2018
Tillerman & Co. provides investment and merchant banking services to middle-market businesses. We specialize in helping closely held companies with mergers and acquisitions, capital sourcing and transaction support. Our approach is based on guiding clients with solid strategy, creative solutions, honest communication and exceptional service.

NewLeaf Symbiotics

Series C in 2017
NewLeaf Symbiotics is an agriculture technology company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, that specializes in the research, development, and commercialization of beneficial symbiotic bacteria aimed at enhancing plant health and increasing crop yields. The company focuses on natural bacteria, particularly pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs, which are utilized in various agricultural products for row crops, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Through laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials, NewLeaf Symbiotics aims to provide sustainable agricultural solutions that assist farmers in combating plant diseases and improving overall agricultural productivity. Founded in 2011 and originally known as TrophoMax, LLC, the company rebranded to its current name in 2012.

Vestaron

Series D in 2016
Vestaron Corporation specializes in the development, manufacture, and sale of peptide-based biologic crop protection products. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with a research and development center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Vestaron offers a range of bioinsecticides including Spear-T, Spear-Lep, and Leprotec, which target various pests in vegetables, fruits, and field crops. The company aims to enhance crop safety, efficacy, and sustainability by providing biopesticides that address resistance issues while ensuring safety for workers and the environment. Vestaron has received notable accolades for its innovative solutions, including the Bernard Blum Award and the Green Chemistry Challenge Award, recognizing its commitment to environmental stewardship and effective crop protection.

ConsortiEX

Seed Round in 2015
ConsortiEX Inc. is a health care technology company that serves pharmacies by providing systems and services for the ordering, distribution, and tracking of pharmaceuticals within hospitals in the United States. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ConsortiEX offers Assure-Trak, an enterprise resource planning system designed to facilitate the collection, integration, management, and sharing of pharmacy information, particularly for the compounding of sterile products. The company also delivers a range of health care information technology services, which include pedigree management, IV workflow management, inventory and logistics management, and quality management reporting. Additionally, ConsortiEX provides compliance services related to the Drug Supply Chain Security Act as well as e-commerce order management services to support the compounding pharmacy needs of its member institutions and affiliates.

Innara Health

Series B in 2015
Innara Health, Inc. specializes in developing neonatal care technologies aimed at improving the health and development outcomes for preterm and full-term infants, as well as children with developmental needs. The company is best known for its NTrainer System, a medical device that supports the development of non-nutritive sucking skills in newborns, which is crucial for feeding. This system assists caregivers in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units by providing insights into effective treatment strategies for infants facing feeding challenges. Founded in 2006 and based in Olathe, Kansas, Innara Health was previously known as KCBioMedix, Inc. until it rebranded in 2013. The company’s innovations are focused on enhancing the quality of life for infants and their families, as well as improving overall feeding outcomes in hospital settings.

Vestaron

Series C in 2014
Vestaron Corporation specializes in the development, manufacture, and sale of peptide-based biologic crop protection products. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with a research and development center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Vestaron offers a range of bioinsecticides including Spear-T, Spear-Lep, and Leprotec, which target various pests in vegetables, fruits, and field crops. The company aims to enhance crop safety, efficacy, and sustainability by providing biopesticides that address resistance issues while ensuring safety for workers and the environment. Vestaron has received notable accolades for its innovative solutions, including the Bernard Blum Award and the Green Chemistry Challenge Award, recognizing its commitment to environmental stewardship and effective crop protection.

NewLeaf Symbiotics

Series B in 2014
NewLeaf Symbiotics is an agriculture technology company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, that specializes in the research, development, and commercialization of beneficial symbiotic bacteria aimed at enhancing plant health and increasing crop yields. The company focuses on natural bacteria, particularly pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs, which are utilized in various agricultural products for row crops, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Through laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials, NewLeaf Symbiotics aims to provide sustainable agricultural solutions that assist farmers in combating plant diseases and improving overall agricultural productivity. Founded in 2011 and originally known as TrophoMax, LLC, the company rebranded to its current name in 2012.

Vestaron

Series C in 2014
Vestaron Corporation specializes in the development, manufacture, and sale of peptide-based biologic crop protection products. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with a research and development center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Vestaron offers a range of bioinsecticides including Spear-T, Spear-Lep, and Leprotec, which target various pests in vegetables, fruits, and field crops. The company aims to enhance crop safety, efficacy, and sustainability by providing biopesticides that address resistance issues while ensuring safety for workers and the environment. Vestaron has received notable accolades for its innovative solutions, including the Bernard Blum Award and the Green Chemistry Challenge Award, recognizing its commitment to environmental stewardship and effective crop protection.

NewLeaf Symbiotics

Series A in 2013
NewLeaf Symbiotics is an agriculture technology company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, that specializes in the research, development, and commercialization of beneficial symbiotic bacteria aimed at enhancing plant health and increasing crop yields. The company focuses on natural bacteria, particularly pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs, which are utilized in various agricultural products for row crops, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Through laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials, NewLeaf Symbiotics aims to provide sustainable agricultural solutions that assist farmers in combating plant diseases and improving overall agricultural productivity. Founded in 2011 and originally known as TrophoMax, LLC, the company rebranded to its current name in 2012.

Vestaron

Series B in 2012
Vestaron Corporation specializes in the development, manufacture, and sale of peptide-based biologic crop protection products. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with a research and development center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Vestaron offers a range of bioinsecticides including Spear-T, Spear-Lep, and Leprotec, which target various pests in vegetables, fruits, and field crops. The company aims to enhance crop safety, efficacy, and sustainability by providing biopesticides that address resistance issues while ensuring safety for workers and the environment. Vestaron has received notable accolades for its innovative solutions, including the Bernard Blum Award and the Green Chemistry Challenge Award, recognizing its commitment to environmental stewardship and effective crop protection.

Compact Particle Acceleration

Venture Round in 2012
CPAC is developing and commercializing a highly compact intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) system powered by the dielectric-wall accelerator (DWA), a revolutionary proton accelerator that will have a substantially smaller structure and greater flexibility than other accelerators.* Proton therapy is acknowledged in the radiotherapy community as a superior mode of treatment over standard photon therapy. Proton therapy significantly reduces the amount of damage to adjacent healthy tissue that often occurs with traditional photon radiation methods. In addition to being a better form of therapy, in most places it has greater reimbursement and can be performed more efficiently. Therefore, there can be a greater volume of patients treated for each treatment room. Yet, of the several million patients treated worldwide with radiotherapy each year, only a few thousand receive particle therapy. Why so few? The primary reasons are system cost and equipment size. Most current particle-based systems exceed $100M and can approach $200M, which is driven by both expensive components, facilities and the need for multiple treatment rooms in order to achieve sufficient treatment volume to support the system costs. CPAC’s initial product will be an FDA approved fixed-beam proton therapy unit that will focus on stereotactic cancer treatments that are typically within the breast, chest, central nervous system, head, neck, and eyes. The treatment volume for these cancers represents 54% of all existing radiation treatments. With additional development, later systems will likely generate higher energy levels and include the capability to move the beamline for greater directionality. We anticipate that the later systems will be able to treat most forms of cancer.

Novita Therapeutics

Series A in 2011
Novita Therapeutics, LLC is a privately held biopharmaceutical and medical device company based in Lenexa, Kansas. The company focuses on developing innovative drugs and medical devices aimed at improving health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for individuals. With a commitment to advancing healthcare solutions, Novita Therapeutics seeks to create products that promote longevity and overall well-being.

Innara Health

Series A in 2010
Innara Health, Inc. specializes in developing neonatal care technologies aimed at improving the health and development outcomes for preterm and full-term infants, as well as children with developmental needs. The company is best known for its NTrainer System, a medical device that supports the development of non-nutritive sucking skills in newborns, which is crucial for feeding. This system assists caregivers in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units by providing insights into effective treatment strategies for infants facing feeding challenges. Founded in 2006 and based in Olathe, Kansas, Innara Health was previously known as KCBioMedix, Inc. until it rebranded in 2013. The company’s innovations are focused on enhancing the quality of life for infants and their families, as well as improving overall feeding outcomes in hospital settings.

Infoblox

Series E in 2005
Infoblox specializes in network identity management and security solutions, offering appliances that help enterprises effectively manage essential network protocols like DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, and LDAP. Their products enhance network control and security while reducing total cost of ownership by providing scalable and reliable services compared to traditional server-software solutions. Infoblox employs a distributed appliance approach, allowing for centralized management of identity data across various network infrastructures. The company's solutions also focus on network infrastructure automation, enabling organizations, including enterprises and government entities, to combat malware and cyber threats. By creating a unified control point, Infoblox helps clients improve operational efficiency, visibility, and compliance across both on-premises and cloud environments. With a presence in over 30 countries, Infoblox serves more than 500 clients, including many Fortune 500 companies.

Cernium

Venture Round in 2003
Cernium Corporation develops and delivers video analytics-enabled products. It provides Perceptrak, a video analytics software that integrates with various video management systems; ExitSentry, a monitoring system for airport checkpoints and exit lanes; and CheckVideo, an IP-based solution for alarm verification to incorporate video analytics. The company also offers High-Density Analytics Server, an analytics software solution for enterprise video surveillance installations; and Edge, which embeds in various hardware devices. Cernium Corporation was formerly known as Ross Technologies. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Reston, Virginia.

Infoblox

Series A in 2003
Infoblox specializes in network identity management and security solutions, offering appliances that help enterprises effectively manage essential network protocols like DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, and LDAP. Their products enhance network control and security while reducing total cost of ownership by providing scalable and reliable services compared to traditional server-software solutions. Infoblox employs a distributed appliance approach, allowing for centralized management of identity data across various network infrastructures. The company's solutions also focus on network infrastructure automation, enabling organizations, including enterprises and government entities, to combat malware and cyber threats. By creating a unified control point, Infoblox helps clients improve operational efficiency, visibility, and compliance across both on-premises and cloud environments. With a presence in over 30 countries, Infoblox serves more than 500 clients, including many Fortune 500 companies.
Intersymbol Communications, Inc. specializes in the development and manufacturing of high-speed physical layer components designed for next-generation broadband networking systems. The company focuses on advanced electronic dispersion compensation solutions and creates high-speed optical receiver integrated circuits for long-haul and metro optical networks. Their innovative products enhance bandwidth and extend reach while reducing power consumption, leading to significant cost savings for network providers during deployment. By incorporating custom signal processing techniques and specialized architectures, Intersymbol Communications addresses the evolving demands of modern optical data transmission.

GlobalView Software

Series A in 2000
GlobalView Software, Inc. specializes in providing comprehensive data management solutions for the energy and commodities sectors. Its flagship product, the MarketView suite, allows users to access and analyze both real-time and historical market data, global news, and proprietary information through a customizable web-based platform. The software includes tools for advanced charting, data manipulation in Excel, and mobile access to pricing information, facilitating seamless integration with back office systems such as ETRMs and invoicing. By leveraging a fully-hosted, SaaS architecture, GlobalView helps clients reduce support costs and eliminate the need for on-site technology infrastructure. Established in 1979 and based in Chicago, the company operates offices in key global locations, including Houston, London, Singapore, and Calgary, and caters to traders, risk managers, analysts, and IT professionals across various industries.

iNest Realty

Venture Round in 2000
iNest Realty is a real estate brokerage firm focused on newly-constructed homes. It provides consumers with a database of new home builders and communities with flexible search options and a network of local field agents to enable individuals to find new homes. iNest Realty was founded in 1997 and is based in Bloomingdale, Illinois, the United States.
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