New Venture Capital Firm, Prairie Crest Capital, launches in Des Moines

Des Moines, IA, Oct. 13, 2016 --   

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New Venture Capital Firm, Prairie Crest Capital, launches in Des Moines

Firm to optimize investments in agriculture and technology sectors, leveraging Midwest location

DES MOINES, IA (October 13, 2016)—Prairie Crest Capital, a venture capital firm focused on early to mid-stage investments in breakthrough agriculture and technology firms, has been launched in Des Moines by principals Barry Adams and Mark White.

The partners formed Prairie Crest Capital to address the underserved investment opportunities in the agriculture and technology sectors, particularly in the Midwest. While agriculture and downstream products (such as food) account for nearly 8 percent of the United States GDP, it only amounts to less than 3 percent of venture capital investments on average over the past three years. Prairie Crest anticipates investment activity in the agriculture technology space to grow from $1.2 billion to approximately $7 billion over the next several years. 

“Although the Midwest has approximately 20 percent of the population, research and development spending, top research universities, and entrepreneurial talent, our region receives less than 5 percent of venture capital investment.” said Mark White. “Also, the rise of new and adaptive agriculture technologies such as precision agriculture and predictive software indicate a growing and underfunded pipeline of solutions in Ag Tech. With the demand for food and sustainable energy growing and access to arable land and water availability diminishing, it makes for a compelling, dynamic sector, rife with transformational possibilities.”

The partners have spent over a year developing the firm, refining their investment thesis, identifying promising new ventures, and formalizing their network of investment partners and technology affiliates. Prairie Crest Capital will be active investors in these promising firms and has developed a mentoring and engagement platform to optimize their success.

“For Midwest entrepreneurs, location may be an obstacle when seeking not only investment opportunities, but access to feedback networks, later stage capital, technology infrastructure and global marketing contacts,” said Barry Adams. “Our aim is to turn those disadvantages into an advantage by helping them connect the dots and leverage our Midwest location to identify and nurture those breakthrough companies.”

For more information, please visit their new website at www.prairiecrestcapital.com.

About Prairie Crest Capital
Prairie Crest Capital is a venture capital firm in Des Moines focused on early-stage investments in promising agricultural and breakthrough technology firms. Leveraging their experience and Midwest location, Prairie Crest Capital connects investors to underserved and compelling opportunities in the ag tech sector in order to deliver superior returns; and provides funding and development assistance for promising enterprises to position them for accelerated growth.