Yield Lab, the St. Louis-based agtech accelerator, announced its 2016 class of early-stage ventures – investing $100,000 in each of the six new startups, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. Yield Lab’s inaugural class of startups concluded in August 2015, making this group, which includes technologies based on fish eggs, mobile apps, and fertilizer production, the second class to join the program, reports NewsOK.

 

After receiving 120 applications from agtech startups in 26 countries, the Yield Lab finalized its 2016 choices to six U.S.-based startups. The new class includes:

 

San Diego-based Agribody Technologies – Agribody uses proprietary gene technology to improve yield, resistance to diseases and stressors, and to delay senescence.

 

Atlanta-based AgVoice – AgVoice produces a hands-free, voice interactive mobile technology platform designed to increase efficiency for agricultural professionals.

 

Denver-based BayoTech – BayoTech produces chemical reactors that can reduce the operating and capital costs associated with ammonia fertilizer production.

 

Boston-based Cryoocyte – Cryoocyte has developed technologies that can freeze fish eggs, maintaining a steady supply to fish farms and mitigating the effects of seasonal underproduction.

 

St. Louis-based Nanoguard Technologies – Nanoguard is developing cold plasma technology for the treatment of grains.

 

Los Gatos-based Till – Till employs automated calls and text messaging to connect brands to small farms and agribusinesses.

 

In addition to these six, St. Louis-based APSE will be included in the beginning of the 2016 class. Chosen as a 2015 Yield Lab portfolio company, ASPE joined the program late and will be completing its term during the beginning of this year. APSE is developing lower-cost methods of manufacturing RNA for RNAi applications.