Radicle Growth launches Radicle Renewables Challenge by John Deere, Land O’Lakes and AgRogue

Radicle Growth announced Oct. 19 the launch of the Radicle Renewables Challenge, sponsored by John Deere, Land O’Lakes and AgRogue Growth Partners.

The challenge is a global search for companies developing innovative technologies that help create new value, demand and revenue opportunities for farmers through the rapidly expanding renewables economy.

As demand grows for renewable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based products, agriculture is increasingly positioned at the center of the transition.

Renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable chemicals, biobased materials and other emerging sectors represent significant opportunities for agricultural production and rural economies.

The challenge is designed to identify breakthrough companies building the technologies, infrastructure and business models that can enable agriculture to participate more fully in the growing renewable value chains spanning fuels, feedstocks, materials, chemicals, sustainability and other market opportunities.

The Radicle Renewables Challenge builds upon Radicle Growth’s proven model of identifying breakthrough technologies and connecting entrepreneurs with strategic industry partners capable of accelerating commercialization and market adoption.

“The renewables economy represents one of the most significant growth opportunities for agriculture in the coming decades,” said Kirk Haney, the managing partner of Radicle Growth. “Farmers are positioned at the foundation of many emerging renewable value chains, yet significant innovation is still needed to connect agricultural production with downstream markets. Through the Renewables Challenge, we’re seeking entrepreneurs developing technologies that can help agriculture participate more fully in these growing opportunities.”

The challenge will seek companies developing solutions across a broad range of renewable market opportunities, including renewable fuels, next-generation feedstocks, renewable chemicals and materials, low-carbon production systems, carbon-intensity solutions, processing and infrastructure technologies, traceability and measurement platforms, and innovative business models that help connect agricultural production to renewable markets.

As a sponsor of the challenge, John Deere brings deep expertise in agricultural equipment, precision agriculture, farm management and technology adoption, all of which play important roles in enabling new production systems and supporting participation in emerging renewable value chains.

“For us, this work is about supporting demand for the crops our customers grow,” said Nate Green, the director of biofuels at John Deere. “Farmers already play a critical role in the development of renewable fuels, biomaterials and other biobased products, and they can play an even greater role in the future. We’re excited to work alongside Radicle Growth to identify innovators who are building technologies for tomorrow that will enable farmers to further benefit from the biobased economy.”

The challenge also benefits from the perspective of leading organizations across the agricultural value chain that understand the importance of utilizing farmers’ trusted retail partners to drive on-farm adoption, agronomic performance and scalable implementation.

“The renewables economy represents a significant opportunity to create new sources of demand and value for farmers, but realizing that potential requires innovation that works across the entire agricultural value chain and through trusted retail channels,” said Jason Trusley, the senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Land O’Lakes Inc. “Through the Radicle Renewables Challenge, we are partnering with John Deere and AgRogue Growth Partners to identify and accelerate breakthrough technologies that can help farmers participate in these emerging markets.”

In addition to identifying promising technologies, the challenge is intended to highlight commercialization pathways that can support the development of scalable renewable value chains.

From renewable fuels and feedstocks to materials, chemicals and carbon-related opportunities, the goal is to accelerate technologies capable of creating measurable impact throughout the agricultural economy.

Applications for the Radicle Renewables Challenge opened Oct. 19 and remain open through Nov. 20.

Companies from around the world are encouraged to apply.

For more information and application details, click here.