The Yield Lab Institute

What The Yield Lab Institute does

The Yield Lab Institute (YLI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that operates as an open-innovation accelerator and ecosystem connector for early-stage agricultural technology companies. YLI administers the H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech platform, which validates breakthrough agtech startups against world-class research institutions to accelerate commercialization of biological solutions, and serves as the nonprofit affiliate of The Yield Lab Group, a global family of venture capital funds spanning the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific.

The institute's core programs include H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech (a technology validation platform built on the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator model, with technical partners NC Plant Sciences Initiative and UC ANR), Cultivar (linking St. Louis to Latin American ecosystems), ARISE (a trilateral US-UK-LATAM cooperation platform), and the newly launched Global Cattle Innovation Platform extending the model into beef and dairy. Programs are supported by an Ecosystem Partner Network of 17 organizations engaging 12 US regional ecosystems and international hubs in Argentina, Brazil, Israel, and the UK.

YLI is funded through grants and philanthropic contributions from Breakthrough Energy Discovery, the Missouri Technology Corporation, the NREL Foundation, and the Government of Norway (via UNEP/GO4SDGs). It generates no commercial revenue from cohorts; instead, value is delivered to startups through research validation infrastructure, ecosystem connectivity, and follow-on funding pathways into The Yield Lab Group's VC network. The organization is governed by a board chaired by Polly Ruhland and led by Executive Director Stephanie Regagnon.

Name

The Yield Lab Institute

Legal name

The Yield Lab Institute

Website

https://theyieldlabinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Yield Lab Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit accelerator and ecosystem connector that validates early-stage agtech startups through research partnerships globally, serving as the nonprofit affiliate of The Yield Lab Group's venture capital network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Technology Acceleration

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL), Nutrient Management Planning & Fertility Programs (AFACABAB), Crop, Soil & Agronomy Technician Training (EDAOAOAF), Trait Performance Trials & Field Testing (Multi-location, pre-commercial) (AFABALAK)

Keywords

• Agtech innovation ecosystems
• Agricultural technology acceleration
• Open innovation platforms
• Agrifood ecosystem development
• Agtech startup validation

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Non-profit Funding Model: The Yield Lab Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded through grants, philanthropic contributions, and program partnerships. Funding sources include Breakthrough Energy Discovery, Missouri Technology Corporation, and other institutional partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Yield Lab Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as an ecosystem connector and accelerator for early-stage agrifood technology companies. It runs open innovation programs including H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech (global technology validation platform), Cultivar (US-Latin America ecosystem linkage), ARISE (trilateral UK-US-LATAM cooperation), and the Global Cattle Innovation Platform (GCIP), connecting agtech startups with research institutions, investors, and regional innovation ecosystems.

Product overview

The Yield Lab Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agrifood think tank that operates as a platform-plus-programs organization. Its core offerings include H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech (a global technology validation platform connecting agtech startups with research institutions), Cultivar (linking US and Latin American ecosystems), the Global Cattle Innovation Platform (GCIP, expanding into beef and dairy), and the ARISE initiative (trilateral US-UK-LATAM cooperation). These programs are supported by ecosystem partnerships, strategic research collaborations with institutions like NC PSI and UC ANR, and the Core Facilities Access Fund. YLI serves as the non-profit affiliate of The Yield Lab Group, a family of global venture capital funds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech: A global technology validation platform led by The Yield Lab Institute that connects breakthrough agtech startups with world-class research institutions to accelerate commercialization of biological solutions. Stands for Harnessing Agricultural Research and Venture Ecosystems for Sustainable Technology.
• Cultivar
• ARISE
• GCIP

Products and services

• H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech A global technology validation platform that connects breakthrough agtech startups with world-class research institutions to accelerate commercialization of biological solutions. Built on the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) model with technical partnerships at NC State University and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
• Cultivar An initiative linking St. Louis to ecosystems across Latin America to foster research collaborations and commercial partnerships, envisioned and launched by The Yield Lab LATAM and the St. Louis agtech ecosystem.
• Global Cattle Innovation Platform (GCIP) A global initiative designed to accelerate innovation across beef and dairy production systems worldwide. Built upon the H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech model, GCIP connects producers, researchers, industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to address challenges in animal agriculture.
• ARISE (AgriTech for Resilience, Innovation & Sustainable Ecosystems) A trilateral initiative designed to foster long-term international cooperation in responsible innovation, shared research, and regenerative agriculture across US, UK, and Latin America.
• Core Facilities Access Fund A grant program providing critical access and funding to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center's top-tier resources for international agtech startups.

Quantifiable outcome

• 77 startups supported with $3B+ follow-on funding and 18 exits through IN2 predecessor program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (NC PSI)coreTechnology or Integration · 10 September 2025New technical partner for H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech providing faculty expertise and research capabilities for technology validation. Executive Director Adrian Percy leads the initiative.
• University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources (UC ANR)coreTechnology or Integration · 10 September 2025Technical partner spanning all UC system campuses, providing practical in-field research and demonstration capabilities. Chief Innovation Officer Gabe Youtsey leads the partnership. Interim Director Helle Petersen oversees UC ANR Innovate program.
• Universidad Austral (Argentina)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint partner in Sustainable Agtech Challenge and white paper research on opportunities and challenges for sustainable agtech startups in Latin America and the Caribbean. Also partnered on 'Foundations of Agricultural Ecosystems' report with Washington University Olin School of Business.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint partner in Sustainable Agtech Challenge white paper, funded by Government of Norway through GO4SDGs initiative, focusing on agtech ecosystem development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Washington University Olin School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on 'Foundations of Agricultural Ecosystems' report - Phase 1 (with Universidad Austral) assessing St. Louis MO and Rosario Argentina ecosystems, and Phase 2 'Foundations of Agricultural Ecosystems Piracicaba' examining Brazil's agtech ecosystem.
• Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerH.A.R.V.E.S.T. builds on IN2's proven agtech program foundation - a $55 million initiative that supported 77 startups, catalyzed $3B+ follow-on funding, and achieved 18 exits. IN2 is funded by Wells Fargo and co-administered by NREL.
• AgTech NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosystem partner collaborating to engage 12 regional ecosystems across the United States as part of inaugural Ecosystem Partner Network.
• Agri-Tech-EcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based independent membership organization leading ARISE trilateral initiative. 12 years advancing agricultural innovation with members in 13 countries. Director Belinda Clarke leads the organization.
• Agri TIERRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-registered consultancy based in Latin America building science, innovation, and policy partnerships between UK and the region across agtech, sustainability, and digital agriculture.
• EarthbaseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK innovation intelligence and analytics platform evaluating and accelerating high-impact technologies for food, climate, and health systems.
• EmbrapacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazil's federal agricultural research corporation, internationally recognized for tropical agriculture, bioinputs, and sustainable production systems. Through ARISE, operates via Embrapa Environment focusing on bioinnovation and climate change.
• World Trade Center St. LouiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ARISE initiative and Cultivar program. Executive Director Tim Nowak leads international trade and connection efforts. Supported agtech trade missions to Argentina (2017) and UK (2019).
• Donald Danforth Plant Science CentercoreTechnology or IntegrationPremier plant science research institution in St. Louis. Partnered with IN2 for agtech validation. Connected to Cultivar initiative and Core Facilities Access Fund awardees.
• The Yield Lab GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization - global family of venture capital funds in US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific investing in early-stage agtech. YLI serves as non-profit affiliate. Includes Yield Lab North America, Yield Lab LATAM, Yield Lab Europe, and Yield Lab Asia Pacific.
• St. Louis County Port AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDivision of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. New strategic partnership announced in 2026 for regional ecosystem development.
• Farmhand VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UC ANR Innovate program for H.A.R.V.E.S.T. cohort support.
• 39 North AgTech Innovation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt. Louis-based agtech innovation district connecting research, startups, and industry stakeholders in the global agricultural technology hub.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Plug and Play Tech Center (AgTech Program): Silicon Valley-based multi-vertical accelerator operating a dedicated AgTech program that pairs startups with corporate partners and investors. Directly comparable to YLI's H.A.R.V.E.S.T. model of cohort-based agtech validation with corporate and research-institution backing.
• SVG Ventures / Thrive (TR Ventures): Global agricultural technology accelerator and seed fund running multi-stage programs for startups across ag/food sectors. Overlaps with YLI's accelerator + ecosystem-builder model and serves similar early-stage founder and corporate partner constituents.
• Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2): Direct predecessor and ongoing partner of H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech — IN2 is the $55M Wells Fargo/NREL-founded agtech validation program whose 77-startup, $3B-catalyzing track record forms the operational backbone of YLI's current platform.
• IndieBio (SOSV): Largest biotech accelerator globally, with significant agriculture/food-adjacent biology portfolio. Comparable to YLI's H.A.R.V.E.S.T. cohort model in biological solutions and shares the model of fast-cycle cohort-based validation with venture capital follow-on.
• Startupbootcamp FoodTech (Rainmaking): European-headquartered multi-city food and agtech accelerator running cohort-based programs with corporate partners. Compares closely on program design (cohort, partners, follow-on capital pathway), though serving different geographies.

Broad incumbents

• Bayer Leaps by Bayer: Strategic investment and open-innovation arm of Bayer focused on breakthrough agriculture and health technologies. Compares as a much larger, for-profit counterpart whose investment/validation programs overlap with YLI's mission in biological and digital agriculture.
• AgFunder: Global agtech-focused venture capital firm with ecosystem, media, and event arms that serve a connector role for agtech founders. Comparable in ecosystem-positioning to YLI's non-profit think-tank-plus-program functions, but operating as a for-profit investment platform.

Regional players

• 39 North AgTech Innovation District (BRDG Park): St. Louis-based agtech innovation district co-located with YLI's headquarters. Compares as a regional cluster-development partner that shares founders, capital, and corporate members with YLI's Cultivar and H.A.R.V.E.S.T. programs.
• AgriTech New Zealand / AgriTech NZ: Industry body coordinating New Zealand's agritech ecosystem with member organizations across ag research, investment, and startups. Thematically comparable to YLI's ARISE trilateral platform as a regional ecosystem-coordination vehicle.

Others

• Donald Danforth Plant Science Center: St. Louis-based premier plant science research institute that serves as YLI's primary validation partner — comparable as the lab-and-prototyping infrastructure component that H.A.R.V.E.S.T. startups plug into for field trials and technical de-risking.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-yield-lab-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Yield Lab Institute