Radicle Growth Launches the Radicle Renewables Challenge by John Deere, Land O’Lakes and AgRogue

Global challenge seeks innovative companies creating revenue sources and demand through renewable fuels, feedstocks, materials, chemicals, and business models.

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES, October 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Radicle Growth today announced the launch of the Radicle Renewables Challenge, sponsored by John Deere, Land O’Lakes and AgRogue Growth Partners. The Challenge is a global search for companies developing innovative technologies that help create new value, demand, and revenue opportunities for farmers through the rapidly expanding renewables economy.

As demand grows for renewable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based products, agriculture is increasingly positioned at the center of the transition. Renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, renewable chemicals, bio-based materials, and other emerging sectors represent significant opportunities for agricultural production and rural economies.

The Challenge is designed to identify breakthrough companies building the technologies, infrastructure, and business models that can enable agriculture to participate more fully in the growing renewable value chains spanning fuels, feedstocks, materials, chemicals, sustainability, and other market opportunities.

The Radicle Renewables Challenge builds upon Radicle Growth's proven model of identifying breakthrough technologies and connecting entrepreneurs with strategic industry partners capable of accelerating commercialization and market adoption.

"The renewables economy represents one of the most significant growth opportunities for agriculture in the coming decades," said Kirk Haney, Managing Partner of Radicle Growth. "Farmers are positioned at the foundation of many emerging renewable value chains, yet significant innovation is still needed to connect agricultural production with downstream markets. Through the Renewables Challenge, we're seeking entrepreneurs developing technologies that can help agriculture participate more fully in these growing opportunities."

The Challenge will seek companies developing solutions across a broad range of renewable market opportunities, including renewable fuels, next-generation feedstocks, renewable chemicals and materials, low-carbon production systems, carbon-intensity solutions, processing and infrastructure technologies, traceability and measurement platforms, and innovative business models that help connect agricultural production to renewable markets.

As a sponsor of the Challenge, John Deere brings deep expertise in agricultural equipment, precision agriculture, farm management, and technology adoption, all of which play important roles in enabling new production systems and supporting participation in emerging renewable value chains.

"For us, this work is about supporting demand for the crops our customers grow," said Nate Green, Director of Biofuels at John Deere. "Farmers already play a critical role in the development of renewable fuels, biomaterials, and other bio-based products, and they can play an even greater role in the future. We’re excited to work alongside Radicle Growth to identify innovators who are building technologies for tomorrow that will enable farmers to further benefit from the bio-based economy."

The Challenge also benefits from the perspective of leading organizations across the agricultural value chain that understand the importance of utilizing farmers’ trusted retail partners to drive on-farm adoption, agronomic performance and scalable implementation.

“The renewables economy represents a significant opportunity to create new sources of demand and value for farmers, but realizing that potential requires innovation that works across the entire agricultural value chain and through trusted retail channels,” said Jason Trusley, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Land O’Lakes, Inc. “Through the Radicle Renewables Challenge, we are partnering with John Deere and AgRogue Growth Partners to identify and accelerate breakthrough technologies that can help farmers participate in these emerging markets.”

In addition to identifying promising technologies, the Challenge is intended to highlight commercialization pathways that can support the development of scalable renewable value chains. From renewable fuels and feedstocks to materials, chemicals, and carbon-related opportunities, the goal is to accelerate technologies capable of creating measurable impact throughout the agricultural economy.

Applications for the Radicle Renewables Challenge will open on October 19, 2026, and remain open through November 20, 2026. Companies from around the world are encouraged to apply.

For more information and application details, visit https://www.radicle.vc/radicle-renewables-challenge.

About Radicle Growth
Radicle Growth is a global innovation platform investing in and accelerating the most transformative technologies in agriculture and food. Through a differentiated approach to deal sourcing, capital formation, market access, and company building, Radicle ensures that breakthrough innovations reach scale and deliver meaningful impact. The firm partners with entrepreneurs and strategic stakeholders to address some of the sector’s most pressing challenges—from sustainability and food security to productivity and supply chain modernization. Radicle’s platform combines deep domain expertise with a hands-on model to help founders navigate commercialization, technology complexity, and global growth.

About John Deere
It doesn't matter if you've never driven a tractor, mowed a lawn, or operated a dozer. With John Deere's role in helping produce food, fiber, fuel, and infrastructure, we work for every single person on the planet. It all started nearly 200 years ago with a steel plow. Today, John Deere drives innovation in agriculture, construction, forestry, turf, power systems, and more.
For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at www.deere.com/en-us/content-library.

About Land O’Lakes
Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2025 annual sales of $16 billion, Land O’Lakes is one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, ranking 273 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 100 years of operation, Land O’Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods, Animal Nutrition and WinField United. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O’Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minnesota.

About AgRogue Growth Partners
AgRogue Growth Partners, powered by Radicle Growth through participation from Land O’Lakes, Inc. and select agricultural retailers, is an Ag Innovation Platform focused on accelerating the commercialization of breakthrough technologies across agriculture and food. By connecting innovative companies with leading retailers and farmers, AgRogue helps bridge the gap between innovation and market adoption. AgRogue Growth Partners finds, funds and scales transformative technologies that strengthen the resilience, profitability and sustainability of the agriculture and food value chain. Retail partners include Keystone Cooperative (Indiana), Central Valley Ag (Nebraska), Farmers Cooperative – Dorchester (Nebraska), Farmward Cooperative (Minnesota), Alabama Farmers Cooperative (Alabama) and GreenPoint Ag (Alabama).

Natale Clark, Director of Operations
Radicle Growth
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