By Geitner Simmons
Nebraska’s agricultural technology sector has strengths, but until recently it has lacked a key support: a connector institution that links producers with ag tech engineers, investors with tech innovators, and students with networking opportunities. It needs an institution, too, that educates students in ag tech entrepreneurship and validates the benefits from ag startups’ emerging technologies.
Spur Ventures, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln initiative, has stepped energetically into that multi-faceted role and will use its connecting power during AgConverge, an ag tech conference it will host in Grand Island Nov. 17-18.
“We’re a bridge, a platform, that connects different partners and resources through the university,” said Ankit Chandra, who leads Spur Ventures and is director and lecturer of entrepreneurship for the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. “We’re connecting producers, industry, startups, students, as well as regional ag innovation hubs funded by the National Science Foundation AgTech Engine.”
Started in May 2025, Spur Ventures is housed within the Department of Biological Systems Engineering and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Its mission: connect producers, startups, industry, investors and students to accelerate the development, validation and commercialization of agricultural technologies.
Source : unl.edu