AgroNet ZERO

?? Exciting News! AgroNet ZERO Joins The Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program! ?? We are thrilled to announce that AgroNet ZERO has been selected for the Community Cohort of The Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program! ?? In partnership with Sage Foundation, this three-year initiative is dedicated to accelerating the growth of impactful startups working on sustainable and climate-driven solutions. We are proud to be among 28 startups across the U.S. tackling some of today’s most pressing social and environmental challenges—from nature-based solutions to climate intelligence and disaster resilience. At AgroNet ZERO, we are committed to advancing biochar adoption as a climate-smart agricultural solution, optimizing waste-to-value processes, improving soil health, and enhancing carbon sequestration. Being part of this program will help us scale our impact and collaborate with a broader network of mission-driven innovators. A huge thank you to Sage Foundation and Village Capital for this incredible opportunity, and congratulations to all the startups selected! ?? We look forward to driving positive change together. #AgroNetZERO #SageImpact #EntrepreneurshipForGood #ClimateInnovation #Sustainability #Biochar #RegenerativeAgriculture #NetZero

?? AgTech Summit 2025: Insights & Innovation for the Future of Agriculture ?? The AgroNet ZERO team was honored to attend the AgTech Summit, invited by our partners at gener8tor! This event brought together some of the most innovative AgTech startups, all tackling critical challenges in agriculture with cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking solutions. Key Takeaway: The challenges in agriculture today are too large and complex to be solved through traditional startup models or business-as-usual approaches. Instead, systemic change requires a collaborative ecosystem where startups address different facets of the problem, from soil health and crop yields to automation and waste management. Key Innovation Directions in AgTech ?? AI & Automation for Precision Farming – Many startups are leveraging AI-powered solutions to reduce chemical use, optimize farm asset efficiency, and make real-time, data-driven decisions that increase yields while cutting costs. ?? Robotics & Agri-Automation – With labor shortages and rising costs, farming is seeing an increasing shift toward AI-driven robotics, designed to automate manual tasks and improve efficiency in large-scale operations. ?? Sustainable Inputs & Soil Health – Biological and regenerative solutions are disrupting traditional fertilizers, with startups focusing on probiotic seed coatings, organic waste repurposing, and biological soil amendments to boost yields and soil vitality. ?? Real-Time Crop Monitoring & Yield Optimization – Advanced AI and sensor technologies are providing plant-level insights to optimize fruit size, harvest timing, and labor costs, transforming farm productivity. ?? Waste-to-Value Solutions – New approaches in synthetic biology and high-temperature processing are turning organic waste into valuable agricultural inputs, helping farms reduce waste while creating sustainable bio-based materials. AgroNet ZERO’s Vision for Systemic Change At AgroNet ZERO, we recognize that real change in agriculture requires an ecosystem-driven approach. That’s why we’re building a three-layer framework that fosters collaboration across: ? Biochar Facility Network – Scaling biochar production for improved soil health and carbon sequestration. ? Research Center – Advancing biochar innovation and customized applications. ? Digital Platform – Leveraging AI-driven analytics to optimize biochar use, resource management, and sustainability outcomes. We are eager to collaborate with fellow AgTech innovators to co-create solutions, scale impact, and drive the transformation of agriculture toward regenerative, technology-driven, and climate-smart practices. A huge thank you to University of Illinois Research Park for hosting such a dynamic event, and congratulations to all the startups selected for the Startup World Cup Agriculture & Food Regional! ?? #AgTech #Innovation #SustainableFarming #Biochar #ClimateSmartAgriculture #TechForGood #AgroNetZERO #FutureOfFarming

?? ANZ Update ?? On February 26th, we had a productive meeting with Brecc Avellar, Senior Systems Sales Engineer at Pyreg GmbH, Inc., as we continue preparations for setting up the Biochar Lab at Purdue Research Park! The day began with an insightful tour of The Ross Enterprise Center at Purdue Research Foundation in West Lafayette, IN. A huge thank you to Alexandria Hancock and Brice Turpin for their guidance in selecting the suitable space for our Research Lab, which will drive innovation in biochar technology. ???? A special thanks to Will Marquis and Brecc Avellar for providing in-depth insights into the Pyreka pyrolysis unit, which will allow us to produce small batches of biochar for research on modified biochar characteristics. Under the leadership of Cliff Johnston at Purdue University, we aim to push the boundaries of biochar applications for sustainable agriculture. This meeting was a crucial step in collaborating with Purdue Research Foundation and Pyreg GmbH, a leading manufacturer of pyrolysis equipment, to establish a state-of-the-art Biochar Lab that will fuel groundbreaking research. ?? Exciting times ahead as we move forward with our research initiatives! #Innovation #Research #Sustainability #Biochar #Pyrolysis #PurdueUniversity #Pyreg #AgroNetZERO #ANZTeam #PurdueResearchPark

?? Exciting News from AgroNet ZERO! ?? We’re thrilled to share that AgroNet ZERO had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Pitch Event organized by SVBIG, Purdue Alumni Group, on January 30, 2025, hosted by Purdue University’s Department of Data Science & AI. This event was a pivotal moment for us to showcase our innovative approach to sustainable agriculture and connect with industry leaders. At AgroNet ZERO, we are committed to transforming agriculture by integrating cutting-edge technology with eco-friendly solutions to improve soil health and enhance crop yields. During the event, we presented our three-layer framework—a synergy of Biochar Facility Network, Research Center, and Digital Platform—designed to optimize resource management, reduce waste, and drive sustainable farming. We are proud to announce that our pitch, led by CEO Harris Turner, earned the support and mentorship of six distinguished SVBIG mentors: ?? Erik Miller (Lead) ?? Emily Liggett ?? David Liggett ?? Tom Schroeder? ?? Bob Walsh A special thank you to Marcy Alstott for her invaluable coaching and guidance, helping us refine our vision and deliver a compelling pitch. Your support means the world to us! ?? This is just the beginning! We’re excited to continue driving sustainable innovation in agriculture and look forward to what’s ahead. #AgroNetZERO #SustainableAgriculture #Innovation #Biochar #TechForGood #FutureOfFarming #PitchEvent #Purdue #SVBIG

?? Enlightening Biochar Discussion, Hosted by Cliff Johnston! ?? AgroNet ZERO LLC participated in a meeting at Purdue University as an innovative startup working on producing prescriptive biochar and helping farmers to improve soil health and increase crop yields. Meeting Insight: A variety of professionals and experts shared perspectives about biochar, highlighting that there is still much to explore about this product. However, it is evident that engineered biochar, specifically designed to address various issues, is the most optimal solution across a variety of industries and fields. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Cliff Johnston from Purdue University for organizing and conducting a highly productive and informative meeting held in West Lafayette at Purdue University. We also wish to congratulate him on his win of the R&D - Research & Development World 2024 R&D 100 Award! ?? This award, a joint recognition with Sandia National Laboratories, acknowledges their pioneering project titled "Low-cost Direct Air Capture of CO2 with Clay Nanointerlayers (LDAC3)." ??? We were also honored by the presence of other esteemed attendees: Chad Penn from the National Soil Erosion Laboratory, who shared invaluable insights on Phosphorus mitigation and biochar perspectives. Barry Gutwein and Ron Schlatter, who shared their fascinating journey in designing a pyrolysis unit and producing biochar. Jane Frankenberger, leading applied research and Extension programs on agricultural drainage, watershed management, and water quality. Sylvie Brouder, the Director of the Purdue Center for Global Food Security. Her expertise in soil health, climate-smart agriculture, and public investment in science and capacity development is truly inspiring. With their wisdom, expertise, and knowledge, our ANZ team is deeply grateful for the collaborative spirit and is excited to work with such distinguished professionals moving forward. Together, we aim to Turn Waste into Wealth with Biochar. ???? Looking forward to many more productive collaborations and impactful projects! #AgroNetZERO #Biochar #SustainableFuture #ResearchAndDevelopment #ClimateSmartAgriculture #SoilHealth #Innovation #Collaboration

?? Exciting Collaboration Alert! ?? We are thrilled to share the highlights from our recent meeting of the AgroNet ZERO team with Natalie Van Dyke from ElectraTherm at our partner farm site in Indiana. This insightful session focused on the advantages of integrating Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology into our biochar projects. A huge thanks to Natalie for her professional introduction to ORC systems and her expert knowledge on the economic benefits and tax incentives for positioning our initiatives as waste-to-energy projects. While the capital cost per kWh for ORC is higher compared to solar and wind projects, the long-term economic benefits of utilizing thermal heat and converting it to electricity are significant. This not only enhances the overall Life Cycle Assessment of our projects but also boosts our biochar carbon credit potential, making the endeavor financially attractive with available tax incentives. Special thanks to Tony Hamberg and Steve Reier from Minnich Poultry for graciously hosting us. Your support and hospitality made this meeting possible and contributed to its success. Natalie, your innovative solutions and dedication to optimizing biochar projects in the agricultural sector are truly appreciated. Together, we are pushing the boundaries of sustainable agriculture and waste-to-energy integration. Here's to a greener future! ???? #Sustainability #Biochar #WasteToEnergy #ORC #AgroNetZERO #ElectraTherm #RenewableEnergy #CarbonCredits #GreenInnovation

?? Exciting News from AgroNet ZERO! ?? We are thrilled to announce that AgroNet ZERO has been selected as a finalist in the 2024 Alumni New Venture Challenge (ANVC) at the Polsky Center at the University of Chicago. This global competition supports University of Chicago alumni in developing early-stage ventures, and we are honored to be among the eight finalists. At AgroNet ZERO, we are dedicated to revolutionizing animal waste management through sustainable biochar production. Biochar offers a powerful solution by transforming agricultural waste into a valuable resource with multiple applications, including soil amendment, carbon sequestration through biochar carbon credits, and bioenergy production. Our innovative approach not only addresses environmental challenges but also creates tangible value for livestock farmers. By converting waste into biochar and leveraging biochar carbon credits, farmers can potentially increase their revenues by up to four times. AgroNet ZERO navigates and supports farmers through the complexity of biochar production, unlocking new opportunities and sustainable practices. We are excited to showcase our impact and innovation at the ANVC Finals on May 16. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to pave the way for sustainable agriculture! #AgroNetZERO #ANVC2024 #Sustainability #Biochar #Agriculture #Innovation #Entrepreneurship