Open Prairie

HerdDogg, Inc. specializes in real-time livestock monitoring systems that assist producers in tracking their herds. The company offers a mobile app and software platform that provides insights into breeding, animal health, and traceability for individual animals. This system utilizes DoggTag ear tags, which are attached to the animals, and DoggBone, a passive device that collects data on the activity, health, and location of the herd. HerdDogg's technology is applicable across various livestock industries, including beef, bison, dairy, and sheep. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Ashland, Oregon, the company aims to enhance herd health management through data science and innovative monitoring solutions.

HerdDogg, Inc. specializes in real-time livestock monitoring systems that assist producers in tracking their herds. The company offers a mobile app and software platform that provides insights into breeding, animal health, and traceability for individual animals. This system utilizes DoggTag ear tags, which are attached to the animals, and DoggBone, a passive device that collects data on the activity, health, and location of the herd. HerdDogg's technology is applicable across various livestock industries, including beef, bison, dairy, and sheep. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Ashland, Oregon, the company aims to enhance herd health management through data science and innovative monitoring solutions.

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 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 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, 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, Inc. is based in London, Canada, and specializes in the development of sustainable ingredients from agricultural waste materials. The company focuses on converting non-food sources such as wood, wheat straw, bagasse, and corn stover into high-purity cellulosic glucose syrup. This innovative technology provides a cost-competitive alternative to traditional food-based sugar sources like corn or sugar cane, ensuring price stability and lower costs. In addition to its glucose products, Comet Biorefining offers biomass conversion and pretreatment services, along with a range of consulting services that include process development, engineering, and project development. The company is currently focused on scaling up its commercial operations and establishing partnerships within the renewable biofuels and biochemicals industries.

HerdDogg, Inc. specializes in real-time livestock monitoring systems that assist producers in tracking their herds. The company offers a mobile app and software platform that provides insights into breeding, animal health, and traceability for individual animals. This system utilizes DoggTag ear tags, which are attached to the animals, and DoggBone, a passive device that collects data on the activity, health, and location of the herd. HerdDogg's technology is applicable across various livestock industries, including beef, bison, dairy, and sheep. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Ashland, Oregon, the company aims to enhance herd health management through data science and innovative monitoring solutions.

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, 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, 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, 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 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 is a manufacturer based in Emporia, Kansas, specializing in a diverse array of sustainable materials, including wood-plastic composites, starch bio-composites, and biodegradable composites. Founded in 2011, the company aims to enhance environmental sustainability by promoting the use of renewable bio-based resins through innovation and research. Its product offerings serve various industries, including footwear, textiles, home furnishings, electronics, pet supplies, lawn and garden, horticulture, and construction. By providing alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, Green Dot Bioplastics helps reduce plastic pollution and supports brand owners, plastics processors, and designers in adopting biodegradable products and packaging solutions.

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 & Company, established in 2015 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offers investment and merchant banking services tailored to middle-market businesses. The firm specializes in mergers and acquisitions, capital sourcing, and transaction support for closely held companies, primarily in manufacturing, distribution, agribusiness, energy, business services, and consumer products sectors. Tillerman's approach emphasizes strategic guidance, creative solutions, transparent communication, and superior client service.

NewLeaf Symbiotics, Inc. is an agriculture technology company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of beneficial symbiotic bacteria aimed at enhancing plant health and increasing crop yields. The company focuses on naturally occurring bacteria, particularly pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs, which are utilized across various agricultural sectors, including row crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. NewLeaf Symbiotics conducts extensive laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials to validate the effectiveness of its products, providing farmers with sustainable solutions to combat plant diseases and improve agricultural productivity. Originally founded as TrophoMax, LLC in 2011, the company rebranded in July 2012 to better reflect its mission and objectives in the agricultural biotechnology space.

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 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, 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 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, Inc. is an agriculture technology company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of beneficial symbiotic bacteria aimed at enhancing plant health and increasing crop yields. The company focuses on naturally occurring bacteria, particularly pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs, which are utilized across various agricultural sectors, including row crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. NewLeaf Symbiotics conducts extensive laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials to validate the effectiveness of its products, providing farmers with sustainable solutions to combat plant diseases and improve agricultural productivity. Originally founded as TrophoMax, LLC in 2011, the company rebranded in July 2012 to better reflect its mission and objectives in the agricultural biotechnology space.

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, Inc. is an agriculture technology company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of beneficial symbiotic bacteria aimed at enhancing plant health and increasing crop yields. The company focuses on naturally occurring bacteria, particularly pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs, which are utilized across various agricultural sectors, including row crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. NewLeaf Symbiotics conducts extensive laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials to validate the effectiveness of its products, providing farmers with sustainable solutions to combat plant diseases and improve agricultural productivity. Originally founded as TrophoMax, LLC in 2011, the company rebranded in July 2012 to better reflect its mission and objectives in the agricultural biotechnology space.

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.

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, 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, 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 is a developer of network identity appliances that enhance the management of critical network protocols, including DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, and LDAP, essential for linking business applications to network infrastructure. The company's products are designed to improve network control while reducing total cost of ownership by offering secure, scalable, and reliable services compared to traditional server-software solutions. Infoblox employs a distributed appliance approach, which centralizes the management of identity data and services across networks. Additionally, the company provides network infrastructure automation and security software, enabling organizations to protect against malware and cyberattacks. This technology simplifies network complexity by creating a unified control point for traditional data centers as well as public and private cloud environments. With a global presence in over 30 countries, Infoblox serves more than 500 customers, including numerous Fortune 500 companies, across various industries.

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 is a developer of network identity appliances that enhance the management of critical network protocols, including DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, and LDAP, essential for linking business applications to network infrastructure. The company's products are designed to improve network control while reducing total cost of ownership by offering secure, scalable, and reliable services compared to traditional server-software solutions. Infoblox employs a distributed appliance approach, which centralizes the management of identity data and services across networks. Additionally, the company provides network infrastructure automation and security software, enabling organizations to protect against malware and cyberattacks. This technology simplifies network complexity by creating a unified control point for traditional data centers as well as public and private cloud environments. With a global presence in over 30 countries, Infoblox serves more than 500 customers, including numerous Fortune 500 companies, across various industries.

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, 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 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.