Aeroponic seed pods that grow produce in controlled environments

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Aeroponic seed pods that grow produce in controlled environments

Anu awarded $200,000 grant to mass manufacture its aeroponic seed pods that grow produce in controlled environments

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Scott Massey, founder and CEO at anu, holds a sunflower cultivated in one of the company’s seed pods. The company has received a $200,000 Indiana Manufacturing Readiness Grants award to mass manufacture its aeroponic seed pod consumables. The grants are provided by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and administered by Conexus Indiana and the Next Level Manufacturing Institute. (Photo/Indiana Economic Development Corp.)

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Purdue alumni founders’ goal is for users to collectively become the largest farm in the world without owning any land

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A startup company founded by Purdue University alumni has received funding from the state of Indiana to advance the manufacture of its products. 

Heliponix LLC, doing business as anu™ (previously gropod®), has received a $200,000 Indiana Manufacturing Readiness Grants (MRG) award to mass manufacture its aeroponic seed pod consumables.

Manufacturing Readiness Grants are provided by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and administered by Conexus Indiana and the Next Level Manufacturing Institute. They are available to Indiana manufacturers willing to make capital investments to integrate smart technologies and processes that improve capacity, productivity and competitiveness. Launched in 2020, the MRG program has supported tech-enabled investment in smart manufacturing all around the state.

Anu, founded by Purdue Polytechnic Institute alumni Scott Massey and Ivan Ball, sells a smart garden appliance. The small, fully automated, in-home greenhouse grows daily servings of produce from subscription seed pods.

Aeroponics is a form of hydroponics, or growing plants without soil. Massey said the pods empower consumers to grow fresh, high-quality produce including most leafy green vegetables, culinary herbs, ornamental/flowering plants and an increasing number of fruiting plant varieties such as peppers, tomatoes and more in a controlled environment.

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