Sentinel Fertigation, a Lincoln-based company focused on helping farmers manage the use of nitrogen fertilizer, has secured a $2.5 million investment to further expand its business. The seed investment round was led by Homegrown Capital of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Grit Road Partners of Omaha, and Invest Nebraska, which is also based in Lincoln.
Founded by Jackson Stansell, Sentinel Fertigation provides farmers with its N-Time nitrogen management software product. The software helps farmers optimize the use of nitrogen fertilizer, leading to cost savings and increased crop yields. According to the company, farmers who have utilized its software saved an average of $40 on nitrogen per acre and saw a 23% increase in yield per pound of applied nitrogen. Additionally, 83% of growers using N-Time during the 2022 season increased their profitability compared to their historical practices.
The latest investment will be used by Sentinel Fertigation to expand the market presence of its software product and increase employment opportunities. The company plans to enhance the capabilities of N-Time and grow its Sentry Network of agronomic advisers, ensuring that more farmers can benefit from the technology.
This round of investment also saw the participation of other notable investors, including Proven Ventures, Nebraska Angels, AgVentures Alliance, Black Hills Regional Angel Fund, Breakthrough 307, AgLaunch Farmers Innovation Fund I, and Agri-Inject. These investors had previously invested $1.2 million in Sentinel Fertigation last year.
The company expressed gratitude to its investors for their support and dedication to its mission of helping farmers improve their nitrogen fertilizer management. Jackson Stansell, the founder of Sentinel Fertigation, highlighted the company’s success in commercializing an academic solution to address a real problem in agriculture. He expressed excitement about deepening the relationship with existing investors and partnering with Homegrown Capital.
Ben Williamson, the managing director of both Invest Nebraska and Grit Road Partners, praised Sentinel Fertigation for its accomplishments in the past two growing seasons and emphasized the importance of the significant round of capital in sustaining the company’s momentum.
The investment in Sentinel Fertigation highlights the growing interest in agricultural technology and the need for sustainable farming practices. As farmers strive to optimize the use of resources and minimize their environmental impact, technologies like N-Time offer valuable solutions. Sentinel Fertigation’s success also showcases the thriving entrepreneurial spirit in Lincoln and reinforces the role of universities in fostering innovation and creating impactful startups.