The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) has awarded more than $500,000 in funding to seven New Jersey startups through its Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program. The grants aim to help these startups develop commercially viable technologies to combat food insecurity, expand access to nutritious foods, and address food deserts.
“CSIT continues to provide robust support to early-stage startups in New Jersey, creating an unrivaled innovation ecosystem that strengthens the state’s economic competitiveness,” said Judith Sheft, CSIT Executive Director. “These grant recipients are at the forefront of developing technologies and products that align with New Jersey’s food security initiatives, keeping the state a leader in innovation.”
Tim Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), praised the initiative, stating, “Under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey’s startups are creating groundbreaking technologies that exemplify the state’s position as a national innovation leader. These efforts complement the NJEDA’s food security initiatives by providing innovative solutions to eliminate food deserts and enhance access to affordable, healthy food.”
The Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program focuses on fostering innovations in areas such as agricultural technology and pesticide efficiency. The initiative reinforces New Jersey’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and strengthening its innovation ecosystem.
“Congratulations to the seven grant awardees,” said Debbie Hart, CSIT Chair and President and CEO of BioNJ. “Through initiatives like this program, CSIT is proud to support early-stage startups, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that drives economic growth and competitiveness. These companies are developing transformative solutions to combat food insecurity, which could serve as global models.”
Grant Recipients and Their Innovations:
- AGEless Biotechnologies (Bergen County): Developing applications for a multi-functional protein modification platform to enhance protein-based products in the biomedical and food industries.
- Fork & Goode, Inc. (Hudson County): Utilizing a patented process to create cultivated pork with maximum yield.
- Gather Agriculture, Inc. (Hudson County): Building robotic tools to improve harvest efficiency and farmworker safety on farms.
- Hydronos Labs LLC (Mercer County): Creating a structured data layer for the global weather and climate risk transfer market via its TerraCognos software platform.
- Inspired Growing, Inc. (Hudson County): Employing cutting-edge vertical farming technology to address food insecurity and promote healthy eating habits.
- Mycsology Foods Inc. (Mercer County): Using solid-state fermentation to produce high-protein, nutrient-dense ingredients from legumes and grains.
- Neoventech LLC (Mercer County): Enhancing pesticide application efficiency to improve crop yields and food availability while reducing risks of shortages.
About CSIT
Re-established in 2018 under Governor Murphy’s leadership, CSIT is tasked with promoting New Jersey as a hub for academic and technological innovation. The Commission fosters collaboration between public and private sectors and academia to drive research, development, and commercialization.
About NJEDA
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is the state’s leading agency for economic growth. It focuses on building strong communities, creating jobs, and driving inclusive and sustainable development. Through strategic partnerships and initiatives, the NJEDA enhances the state’s economic vitality and positions New Jersey as a national leader in innovation and economic competitiveness.