Organization · Incubator
AgStart
AgStart is a nonprofit incubator based in Woodland, California, established in 2012. It supports entrepreneurs in the AgriFoodTech sector, providing resources and facilities to help commercialize innovative technologies.
Overview
What AgStart does
What AgStart is
AgStart is a nonprofit incubator based in Woodland, California, established in 2012. It supports entrepreneurs in the AgriFoodTech sector, providing resources and facilities to help commercialize innovative technologies.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Incubator
- Founded
- Founded in 2012
- Approximate age
- About 14 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- March 27, 2026
What Incubator means
An incubator is a support environment for turning a nascent idea or early company into a startup that is more ready for customers, funding, or an accelerator.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find AgStart elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
AgStart as a funder
Investment thesis
AgStart supports agriculture, food, and health entrepreneurs who are commercializing innovative technologies aimed at improving these sectors.
Focus narrative
AgStart focuses on supporting entrepreneurs in the AgriFoodTech space, particularly in Northern California. It provides resources such as mentorship, education, and access to facilities to help startups commercialize their innovations.
Value beyond capital
AgStart provides resources such as mentorship, education, and access to facilities to help startups commercialize their innovations.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Not published
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 5
Portfolio context
Notable companies associated with AgStart include: Saturas: A company focused on agricultural technology. Pheronym: Develops nontoxic solutions for plant protection using pheromones. TurtleTree: Innovates in food technology, particularly in producing sustainably sourced ingredients. MyFloraDNA: Provides biotechnology solutions for the cannabis industry. Macro Oceans: Transforms seaweed into low-carbon chemicals for various applications.
Capability profile
AgStart as a program host
Program thesis
AgStart is a nonprofit organization supporting agriculture, food, and health entrepreneurs who are commercializing innovative technologies aimed at improving these sectors.
Focus narrative
AgStart focuses on supporting entrepreneurs in the AgriFoodTech space, particularly in Northern California. It provides resources such as mentorship, education, and access to facilities to help startups commercialize their innovations. The organization operates The Lab@AgStart, which includes wet lab, food lab, and co-working spaces.
Value and support
AgStart offers resources such as mentorship, education, and access to facilities to help startups commercialize their innovations.
Format and cadence
- Format
- In Person
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- AgTech
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable companies associated with AgStart include: Saturas: A company focused on agricultural technology. Pheronym: Develops nontoxic solutions for plant protection using pheromones. TurtleTree: Innovates in food technology, particularly in producing sustainably sourced ingredients. MyFloraDNA: Provides biotechnology solutions for the cannabis industry. Macro Oceans: Transforms seaweed into low-carbon chemicals for various applications.
Capability profile
AgStart as a community
Community overview
AgStart is a nonprofit organization founded in 2012, based in Woodland, California. It supports agriculture, food, and health entrepreneurs who are commercializing innovative technologies aimed at improving these sectors.
Community focus
AgStart focuses on supporting entrepreneurs in the AgriFoodTech space, particularly in Northern California. It provides resources such as mentorship, education, and access to facilities to help startups commercialize their innovations. The organization operates The Lab@AgStart, which includes wet lab, food lab, and co-working spaces.
Member value
Members gain access to mentorship, educational resources, and facilities to help commercialize their innovations in the AgriFoodTech sector.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Students
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- incubator and community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- AgTech
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
AgStart organizes events such as AgStart Office Hours, where entrepreneurs can meet with mentors to discuss their business needs, and Learn From A Leader, a series of talks featuring industry leaders.
Notable members
Notable companies associated with AgStart include Saturas, Pheronym, TurtleTree, MyFloraDNA, and Macro Oceans.
Capability profile
AgStart as an event host
Event focus
AgStart focuses on supporting entrepreneurs in the AgriFoodTech space, particularly in Northern California. It provides resources such as mentorship, education, and access to facilities to help startups commercialize their innovations. The organization operates The Lab@AgStart, which includes wet lab, food lab, and co-working spaces.
Format narrative
AgStart hosts various programs and initiatives, including The Lab@AgStart, a shared-use incubator facility that supports startups in AgriFoodTech, and the Golden Ticket Competition, a partnership with Bayer to support AgriFoodTech startups with lab space and mentorship.
Participant value
AgStart provides essential resources for AgriFoodTech entrepreneurs, including mentorship, access to facilities, and networking opportunities.
Format and cadence
- Startups can present
- No
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Sectors
- AgTech
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Notable speakers include industry leaders featured in the 'Learn From A Leader' series.
Past editions
AgStart has successfully supported numerous startups through its incubator programs and competitions.
Common questions
What to know about AgStart
Upseed classifies AgStart under the Incubator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, community, and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 27, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.