Funding to boost aeroponic seed pod production

Added on 10 August 2023

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Funding to boost aeroponic seed pod production

Heliponix LLC, now operating under the brand name anu™ (formerly known as gropod®), a startup founded by Purdue University alumni, has been awarded a $200,000 Indiana Manufacturing Readiness Grants (MRG) to enhance the production of its aeroponic seed pod consumables.

The MRG, an initiative by the Indiana Economic Development Corp., is managed by Conexus Indiana and the Next Level Manufacturing Institute. Established in 2020, the program aids Indiana manufacturers in adopting innovative technologies to boost capacity, productivity, and competitiveness.

Anu, the brainchild of Purdue Polytechnic Institute graduates Scott Massey and Ivan Ball, offers an intelligent garden appliance. This compact, fully-automated indoor greenhouse facilitates the growth of daily servings of produce using subscription-based seed pods.

Aeroponics, a subset of hydroponics, allows plants to grow without soil. Massey highlighted the pods’ capability to cultivate fresh, premium produce, encompassing leafy greens, herbs, ornamental plants, and an expanding range of fruiting plants like peppers and tomatoes.

Massey elaborated on the technology: “Our cultivation chambers leverage deep-learning, computer-vision algorithms, yielding results superior to other controlled-environment agricultural technologies. Consuming over 95% less water and energy than traditional farming and eliminating the need for pesticides, these chambers present an eco-friendly solution for year-round accelerated growth.”