Iowa AgriTech Accelerator is accepting applications for startups wishing to participate in their 2017 class. Six, early-stage companies will be selected for the program, which offers mentor-led, in-residence opportunities for those with agriculture innovation ideas.

“An accelerator’s core purpose is to find innovative companies that are just starting out and to find a way to accelerate their business far beyond what they could do themselves,” notes Tej Dhawan, interim director of Iowa AgriTech Accelerator. “The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator brings together mentors and investors from a diverse group of companies and backgrounds who are willing to help a startup’s AgTech idea take shape, grow and become commercially viable.”

The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator has support from some of the largest and well-known AgTech companies, including DuPont Pioneer, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company, Grinnell Mutual, Kent Corporation, John Deere, Peoples Company and Sukup Manufacturing. From this group of investors, this year’s startup companies will receive intensive mentoring and $40,000 in seed funding. Participants also receive planned visits to investor and mentor companies that will complement office time for holistic education, outreach, networking and presentation opportunities, as well as a graduation ceremony held during the World Food Prize.