Wells Fargo and the National Renewable Energy Lab will provide non-dilutive funding for collaborative research at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
St. Louis, MO (July 11, 2023) –– The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), a technology incubator and platform funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and co-administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has selected Impossible Sensing and six other startups to participate in the program’s twelfth cohort.
The twelfth IN2 cohort consists of seven sustainable agriculture companies focused on mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change on global food systems. Impossible Sensing and the other selected companies will receive up to $250,000 in non-dilutive funding to conduct technical assistance and field trial projects at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri, the world’s largest independent plant science research institute.
"In the face of intensifying challenges in the agriculture industry and our environment, the world urgently needs innovative, sustainable solutions,” said Trish Cozart, IN² program manager and the director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at NREL.
“With projections indicating a global population of 10 billion people by 2050, we must develop methods that not only increase productivity, but do so without causing harm to our planet. IN² is at the forefront of this mission, supporting promising startups that are reimagining the future of food and farming."
Impossible Sensing boosts soil management by merging in-situ sensors with regular farming operations, capturing real-time data on nutrients, soil health, and carbon levels, empowering growers to maximize land potential, participate in carbon markets, and improve profitability through sustainable practices.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of the IN2 program. With its specialized expertise, we’ll decipher the intricate connections between high-resolution soil analysis, crop yields, and carbon sequestration,” said Dr. Pablo Sobron, founder of Impossible Sensing.
“As we navigate this complex landscape, we’re not just driving scientific breakthroughs, but also shaping smarter farming. At the heart of it all, we’re reimagining our relationship with soil, enhancing productivity, and turning carbon sequestration into economic rewards for growers.”
"IN²’s twelfth cohort highlights some of the best startups in climate-aligned agriculture,” said Elliott Kellner, director of commercial innovation at the Danforth Center. “The selected companies have commercially viable technologies with tremendous potential to deliver environmental, economic, and societal benefits.”
Launched in 2014, IN2’s portfolio now includes 72 startups in the commercial building, affordable housing and sustainable agriculture spaces. Impossible Sensing was nominated to the program by The Danforth Center, a member of IN2’s nationwide Channel Partner network, which includes more than 60 business incubators, accelerators, and university programs. Impossible Sensing underwent an in-depth selection process by Wells Fargo, NREL, the Danforth Center, and IN2’s expert industry advisory board.
ABOUT THE WELLS FARGO INNOVATION INCUBATOR
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) is a $50 million technology incubator and platform funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation. Co-administered by and housed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, IN2’s mission is to speed the path to market for early-stage, clean-technology entrepreneurs. Launched in 2014 with an initial focus on supporting scalable solutions to reduce the energy impact of commercial buildings, IN2 has since expanded its focus to advance technologies that address the sustainable production of agriculture and housing affordability. Companies selected for participation in the program receive up to $250,000 in non-dilutive funding from Wells Fargo, technical support and validation from experts at NREL and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and ongoing connections to organizations across value chains. For more information, visit in2ecosystem.com.