Trailhead Capital

Avalo is a plant biology company that employs interpretable machine learning, genomic discovery, and evolutionary theory to innovate crop development for future agricultural needs. Utilizing AI-assisted plant breeding, Avalo ensures that all its products are non-GMO and promote natural biodiversity. The company's core technology is a discovery engine that efficiently identifies the genetic foundations of complex traits, significantly shortening the time and reducing the costs associated with developing new crops. By focusing on traits such as drought tolerance, water-use efficiency, and nutrient density, Avalo's platform enhances crop evolution to adapt to changing climate conditions. This approach allows researchers to improve crop quality while providing diagnostic forecasting and gene discovery capabilities, ultimately advancing agricultural practices.

Edacious is a Public Benefit Corporation that focuses on developing a food verification system based on radical transparency. This innovative platform aims to foster a nourishing and sustainable agri-food system by prioritizing the verification of food quality. Edacious serves the packaged goods, retail, and supply chain industries, providing businesses with technology that enhances product integrity while benefiting the environment. Through its commitment to transparency, Edacious seeks to improve the overall outcomes of the agri-food sector.

Eion specializes in environmental services focused on permanent carbon removal through enhanced rock weathering applied to agricultural soils. By capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, Eion offers farmers and the agricultural sector a scientifically verified method for decarbonization. The company's approach not only addresses climate change but also supports sustainable agricultural practices, providing a clear and measurable pathway for the industry to reduce its carbon footprint.

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.

Clean Crop Technologies, based in Haydenville, Massachusetts, specializes in food processing solutions aimed at enhancing food safety and reducing food waste. The company has developed a proprietary technology known as 'Clean Current,' which utilizes cold plasma generated from electricity and air to eliminate molds, toxins, and pests from grains and nuts. This method not only improves crop yields but also extends the shelf life of perishable foods without compromising their quality. Clean Crop's innovative approach is designed to be energy efficient and scalable, making it effective against a wide range of contaminants while leaving no harmful residues. Founded in 2020, Clean Crop Technologies is committed to addressing the challenges of food safety and waste in agriculture.

Funga is a company founded in 2021 and based in Austin, Texas, that focuses on leveraging the forest fungal microbiome to enhance forestry outcomes and combat climate change. It develops forest fungal networks by integrating advanced DNA sequencing and machine learning technologies with innovative research on the forest microbiome. Funga aims to place native, biodiverse communities of mycorrhizal fungi in optimal locations, which enables clients to achieve higher quality wood production, increased carbon sequestration, and the development of more resilient forests.

Eion specializes in environmental services focused on permanent carbon removal through enhanced rock weathering applied to agricultural soils. By capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, Eion offers farmers and the agricultural sector a scientifically verified method for decarbonization. The company's approach not only addresses climate change but also supports sustainable agricultural practices, providing a clear and measurable pathway for the industry to reduce its carbon footprint.

Mad Capital is a financing platform focused on supporting the agricultural sector, specifically targeting regenerative organic farmers. The company aims to facilitate the growth of regenerative and organic farming practices by providing farmers with access to strategic financial products and resources. Through its initiatives, Mad Capital seeks to make a significant impact on the expansion of regenerative and organic farmland, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices.

FoodMaven Corporation operates a digital marketplace that connects distributors, manufacturers, and producers of perishable and dated grocery items with restaurants and institutional kitchens. Founded in 2015 and based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the company focuses on selling local and oversupplied food at approximately half the price, promoting a zero-waste sustainability philosophy. Unsold food is redirected to food banks, animal feed, and composting initiatives, addressing both food waste and hunger. By utilizing an artificial intelligence-driven procurement platform, FoodMaven provides food service operators with valuable data to optimize their purchasing decisions while maintaining their existing procurement processes. The company aims to enhance the efficiency of the food system while benefiting both the environment and community welfare.

Swarm Engineering is a developer of a Software-as-a-Service platform that utilizes advanced cognitive computing to enhance the food supply chain and logistics. The company’s software employs a multi-agent system combined with machine learning to optimize various business processes, including load planning, inbound logistics, product blending, and pricing. By integrating multiple processes both within and outside corporate boundaries, Swarm Engineering delivers comprehensive benefits that go beyond isolated optimizations. This approach enables businesses in the food, logistics, and container port sectors to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.

Clean Crop Technologies, based in Haydenville, Massachusetts, specializes in food processing solutions aimed at enhancing food safety and reducing food waste. The company has developed a proprietary technology known as 'Clean Current,' which utilizes cold plasma generated from electricity and air to eliminate molds, toxins, and pests from grains and nuts. This method not only improves crop yields but also extends the shelf life of perishable foods without compromising their quality. Clean Crop's innovative approach is designed to be energy efficient and scalable, making it effective against a wide range of contaminants while leaving no harmful residues. Founded in 2020, Clean Crop Technologies is committed to addressing the challenges of food safety and waste in agriculture.

Provision Analytics Inc., founded in 2018 and headquartered in Calgary, Canada, specializes in cloud-based solutions for food safety management. The company provides software designed for food processors and manufacturers, streamlining food safety processes by automating data input and recall procedures. This technology connects detailed process data with production outcomes, enabling the generation of analytics that help minimize food loss and improve quality control. By enhancing traceability and tracking throughout the supply chain, Provision Analytics supports the food industry in ensuring safety and compliance.

Trace Genomics, Inc. is a company focused on advancing soil health and microbiome analysis through artificial intelligence-based diagnostic tools designed for farmers. The company provides a soil microbiome test that utilizes DNA sequencing and a comprehensive database of microbial species to predict soil diseases, assess soil health, and enhance crop quality. By analyzing the microbial composition and diversity within soil samples, Trace Genomics offers valuable insights that empower farmers to make informed decisions regarding soil management, crop selection, and the application of fertilizers. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Burlingame, California, with an additional office in Ames, Iowa, Trace Genomics aims to support sustainable agricultural practices by providing actionable information that enhances soil productivity and sustainability.

Earthshot Labs operates an AI-powered platform that connects investors, carbon buyers, and land stewards to finance ecological restoration projects. The platform is designed to facilitate climate mitigation by offering a comprehensive tool that helps users identify specific regenerative strategies for various land parcels. This approach aims to promote landscape-level ecosystem regeneration, allowing clients to unlock the full natural and economic potential of their land. By prioritizing equitable outcomes for local communities, Earthshot Labs seeks to address ecological challenges on a planetary scale.

Ascribe Bioscience is a company focused on developing environmentally friendly crop protection products that help farmers combat pathogens affecting their crops. Founded in 2017 and based in Ithaca, New York, the company is currently working on a seed treatment product designed to enhance crops' natural defenses against diseases such as Rhizoctonia. By researching the interactions between microbes and plants at the molecular level, Ascribe Bioscience identifies the signaling molecules that activate plants' innate immunity. This innovative approach aims to improve both the quality and productivity of agricultural yields while minimizing negative environmental impacts.

White Leaf Provisions, Inc. is a manufacturer of organic food based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, founded in 2016. The company focuses on producing biodynamic and regeneratively farmed products that are free from glyphosate, pesticides, GMOs, preservatives, and artificial additives. Its product line includes fruit and vegetable-based baby food, apple sauces, and snack boxes, catering specifically to toddlers and families. White Leaf Provisions aims to make healthy food options accessible while promoting sustainable agricultural practices that enhance soil health. The company's offerings are available through its website, online retailers, and physical retail stores, reflecting a commitment to providing nutritious and environmentally responsible food choices.

EarthSense, Inc. is a company based in Champaign, Illinois, specializing in agricultural robotics and artificial intelligence. The company develops innovative robots, such as the TerraSentia, an autonomous and compact device equipped with various sensors for plant phenotyping and data collection. EarthSense addresses the challenges faced by modern agriculture, including labor shortages, environmental impact, and food security concerns exacerbated by unpredictable weather. Its platform focuses on three key areas: enhancing crop productivity and sustainability, providing actionable insights for growers, and managing issues such as herbicide-resistant weeds. The modular design of the EarthSense platform allows for easy integration and innovation, promoting the development of a climate-smart agricultural system that aims to improve plant and soil health while reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals and costly inputs.

Vence is a company that has developed a livestock management platform designed to enhance the control and management of cattle. Their innovative solution combines hardware, such as sensors and GPS technology, with application software, allowing farmers to remotely manage their livestock through virtual fencing. This technology enables farmers to optimize the use of available grazing land by increasing the number of animals on a farm while simultaneously reducing costs associated with traditional fencing and labor for moving animals. Additionally, Vence's platform provides valuable insights into animal behavior, health, and fertility, ultimately helping livestock breeders improve efficiency and increase protein yield.

HowGood, Inc. is a Brooklyn-based company that provides food product rating services aimed at helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Founded in 2007, HowGood operates a data platform with the world's largest database on product sustainability, assessing over 33,000 ingredients, chemicals, and materials. The platform offers in-depth insights into various sustainability factors, including greenhouse gas emissions, animal welfare, and labor risks. This information supports brands, retailers, and investors in enhancing their environmental and social impact. In-store ratings can be found on product shelves and through a mobile app, facilitating easy access for shoppers. HowGood's services cater to a wide array of food products, including grains, dairy, snacks, and beverages, while also recognizing producers who meet established sustainability standards.

TeleSense, Inc. is an Agtech company specializing in real-time environmental monitoring solutions for the food and grain industry. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, TeleSense utilizes a suite of advanced sensors to provide grain managers with actionable insights regarding their stored grain, enabling informed storage decisions. The company's products include CellularSpear for monitoring grain conditions, SensorBall for storage temperature and moisture monitoring, and BuffaloBox, which retrofits traditional temperature cables to wireless systems. TeleSense's platform integrates cloud-based technology and machine learning algorithms to continuously monitor critical parameters such as temperature, humidity, and moisture, sending real-time alerts to users via the TeleSense app. This approach eliminates manual monitoring, minimizes grain spoilage, and enhances operational efficiency, ultimately increasing profitability across various sectors including agriculture, food supply chain, and commercial cooking.