Newberry Celebrates First Graduates of F-300 AgTech Startup Accelerator

Newberry's commitment to agricultural innovation reached a significant milestone with the graduation of the inaugural cohort from the F-300 AgFoodTech Startup Accelerator. This three-month program, a cornerstone of the city's vision to become a hub for agri-food technology, supported two pioneering startups: MOOchanics and Profeed.

The graduation ceremony, held at the UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension Office in Newberry, was a testament to the community's support and involvement. It featured product demonstrations from both companies, with attendees including U.S. Congresswoman Kat Cammack, Newberry Mayor Tim Marden, and community members and stakeholders.

Innovative Solutions in Dairy Technology

These startups, with their innovative solutions, are not just addressing critical challenges in the dairy industry, but also paving the way for a brighter future.

• MOOchanics: A University of Florida spinout, MOOchanics has developed a patent-pending artificial cow rumen simulator. This technology allows researchers and farmers to test feed formulas and medications without risking animal health, potentially revolutionizing dairy nutrition and reducing methane emissions.
• Profeed: Originating from Ukraine, Profeed offers an intelligent feed management platform that utilizes IoT and AI to optimize dairy cattle feeding. Their system aims to reduce feed waste and increase profitability for farmers. Profeed's technology is already in use across several European countries and is expanding into the U.S. market.

Empowering AgTech Entrepreneurs

The F-300 Accelerator provided participants with a comprehensive suite of resources, including:

• Three in-person workshops at Newberry’s historic Little Red Schoolhouse.
• Eight virtual sessions covering topics such as startup growth strategies, research funding acquisition, intellectual property considerations, and investor engagement.
• Mentorship from industry experts and connections to potential clients within the F-300 consortium.

The program also featured a kickoff reception at the Mentholee Norfleet Municipal Building and an exhibition at the Santa Fe College Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED) venture symposium.

F-300 AgFoodTech Innovation Park: A Vision for the Future

The accelerator is part of the broader F-300 AgFoodTech Innovation Park initiative, Newberry’s top economic development priority. Named in honor of Florida's 300 specialty crops, the project encompasses over 170 acres dedicated to advancing agri-food technology. The UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension Office serves as the park's anchor tenant.

Newberry leads a consortium of more than a dozen organizations supporting the F-300 initiative, including UF/IFAS, Santa Fe College, the Florida Feed Association, the Florida Business Incubation Association, the Greater Gainesville Chamber, the Newberry Area Chamber, startGNV, Agriculture Intelligence, Inc., and Micro Nano Technologies.

Community Impact and Economic Growth

Mayor Tim Marden emphasized the significance of the F-300 initiative, stating that “Agriculture has been at the heart of Newberry for over a century. With the F-300 AgFoodTech Innovation Park, we're building on that legacy to create high-skill, high-wage jobs and drive economic development. Congratulations to MOOchanics and Profeed for leading the way.”

As the F-300 AgFoodTech Innovation Park continues to develop, Newberry solidifies its position as a leader in agricultural technology, poised to make a lasting impact on the local economy and beyond.