CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (July 16, 2025) — The 2025 AgTech Innovation Showcase brought together innovators, farmers and industry stakeholders to get a firsthand look at emerging AgTech solutions tailored to farming challenges. The event was hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park in collaboration with BioSTL, a St. Louis nonprofit that invests in bioscience startups, and the Illinois Farm Bureau, a nonprofit that advocates for farmers and Illinois agriculture.
“We are excited to welcome everyone to Champaign to showcase AgTech innovation,” said Laura Bleill, director of external engagement of the University of Illinois Research Park. “Gathering real feedback from potential customers is important for all startups, and especially significant in the AgTech sector. This collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, BioSTL and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a win for our region.”
The showcase featured rapid-fire presentations from nine startup companies offering cutting-edge, on-farm solutions including cost-saving equipment technologies, soil and biological innovations, AI-powered decision tools and streamlined farm management platforms. Attendees rotated through sessions to connect directly with each innovator and provide real-time feedback on emerging ag tech solutions designed for farmers in the region.
“On our farm, innovations and technologies such as these are things we continually evaluate to see how we can produce more with less, increase our sustainability footprint and really just be the best stewards of our land that we possibly can be as new solutions and innovations make their way forward,” said Evan Hultine, vice president of the ILFB.
Innovators in attendance included:
- DigiFarmz — Addresses the complexity of pesticide selection, high-performance seed management, herbicide-resistant weeds, fragmented data and environmental and regulatory pressures through a comprehensive digital platform that helps farmers adapt to shrinking profit margins and changing conditions.
- Frenzy Ag — Patented RevCell Response technology that enhances plant cell performance and delivers up to a 30% yield increase in certain soybean varieties.
- HarvestIQ — Tracks revenue for farmers and farm advisors, including market-to-market positions on cash sales, CME futures and options and USDA crop insurance. Live information access allows users to gain clarity on market dynamics, make informed decisions and gain insights into hedging strategies.
- MicroMGx — Introduced farmers to a natural herbicide that combats herbicide-resistant weeds, addressing the major issue of global yield loss caused by resistance. This mode of weed control is the first new class in 30 years.
- DeepAgro — Applied generative AI to agriculture through SprAI, an intelligent and sustainable weed detection system that selectively applies herbicides at any stage of soybean crop growth year-round with up to 90% savings on herbicides and a reduction in phtotoxicity.
- Earnest — Created a field-proven probiotic seed coating that helps crops get more nutrients, grow stronger and fight off diseases so farmers can realize increased crop yields.
- Ostara — Put out the only phosphate fertilizer on the market that releases phosphorus, magnesium, and nitrogen based on crop demand, with a nearly 100% plant availability that makes it significantly more efficient than conventional fertilizers.
- PhycoTerra — Naturally sources its microalgae technology, which drives yield and quality by activating native microbes in the soil, around the seed and foliar.
- SentinelAg — Developed the N-Time mobile app to give growers access to nutrient management insights, previously only accessible on the web, for optimizing nitrogen use and saving on fertilizer costs.
View photos from the event here.
Illinois Farmer Today — Ag companies show off latest tech (July 31, 2025)
FarmWeek — Farmer feedback meets startup ingenuity at AgTech Showcase (July 21, 2025)
WCIA — From the Farm: Ag geneticist creates new product to increase crop yields (July 17, 2025)
Morning AgClips — Ag Innovators to Bring Emerging Technologies to Farmers During Startup Showcase (July 1, 2025)
About BioSTL:
Founded in 2001, BioSTL has been a cornerstone of St. Louis’ innovation landscape, fostering a dynamic economy through convening stakeholders, engaging in public policy, and delivering targeted programs. Our mission is to cement the city’s position as a hub for addressing global challenges in agriculture, food, biopharma, and healthcare.
About Illinois Farm Bureau
Founded in 1916, Illinois Farm Bureau – originally known as the Illinois Agricultural Association – is a nonprofit, grassroots membership organization. Illinois Farm Bureau and a statewide network of county Farm Bureaus give members an advantage through impactful advocacy, trusted information, and meaningful development to support their careers and Illinois farm families.
About University of Illinois Research Park
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Research Park is an innovation hub for technology commercialization with a unique environment that cultivates startups and increases capabilities for established companies. Located on campus, Research Park has more than 120 companies and growing, employing over 2,100 people in high-technology careers.