RALEIGH — Triangle startup TerMir beat out 70 emerging agtech startups from around the country to win the inaugural AgTech Innovation Competition hosted by Alexandria LaunchLabs.
The prize: $100,000, which consists of a $75,000 cash award and a $25,000 membership to Alexandria LaunchLabs – a startup platform for early-stage life sciences and agtech companies located at the Alexandria Center for AgTech in RTP.
LaunchLabs provides move-in-ready office and laboratory space, shared equipment and services, creative amenities, and access to capital through its Alexandria Seed Capital Platform. The facility is also home to UPL, Indigo Ag, and Boragen.
“We are thrilled to select TerMir as our prize winner and to welcome them to Alexandria LaunchLabs – AgTech, where we provide a dynamic environment that supports our member companies’ visions and enhances their trajectories,” said Blake Stevens, PhD, principal of science and technology and head of Alexandria LaunchLab, in a statement.
“Alexandria remains focused on providing mission-critical infrastructure and capital to the essential agtech industry that has garnered increasing attention in the face of a growing population and changing weather patterns, as well the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further highlighted the need to transform the food supply chain and enhance the nutritional value of food.”
Founded in 2016, Raleigh-based TerMir is developing an antibacterial agent to treat invasive citrus greening disease in US citrus. The product can be applied via irrigation water or as a spray on foliage application.
“The TerMir team is excited to be selected as the prize winner and to become an active member of the campus communities of Alexandria LaunchLabs – AgTech and the Alexandria Center for AgTech,” said Chad Brommer, PhD, co-founder of TerMir, in a statement. “We look forward to making the most of Alexandria’s world-class network of industry experts and investors and its unparalleled offerings.”
