Genvax
Ames, US · Founded 2021 · Delaware corporation · 7 employees on LinkedIn · 2 known investors
Genvax Technologies develops mRNA and nanoparticle-based vaccines for livestock, focusing on custom, herd-specific formulations that aim to improve speed and precision compared to conventional vaccine platforms. The company serves animal health and food supply sectors.
Also known as Genvax Technologies · Genvax Technologies, Inc.
Founders & leadership
Genvax was founded in 2021 by Joel Harris, Dr. Hank Harris, and DL Hank Harris.
Investors · 2
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$9.8M disclosed across 2 rounds · 2022–2024
▶$3.4MraisedJun 2024 · 9 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- Joel HarrisExecutive Officer, Director
- Trent TorranceDirector
- DL Hank HarrisDirector
- Offering amount
- $5.2M
- Amount sold
- $3.4M
- First sale
- Jun 2024
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2021
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$6.4MraisedAug 2022 · 20 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- DL Hank HarrisDirector
- Scott HolmstromDirector
- Joel HarrisExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $6.4M
- Amount sold
- $6.4M
- First sale
- Jun 2022
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2021
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Genvax Technologies, Inc. is an animal vaccine company based in Ames, Iowa, developing next-generation mRNA plus nanoparticle vaccines for the prevention and treatment of animal diseases. Its stated focus is custom, herd-specific livestock vaccines intended to improve on conventional vaccine platforms in speed, scalability, and precision.
The company describes its mission as delivering faster and more effective vaccines that protect animal health and strengthen the global food supply, and emphasizes rapid response capability to emerging disease situations.
Founding story
Genvax was co-founded by Joel Harris and Dr. Hank Harris, who had previously created and grown Harrisvaccines, which was sold to Merck Animal Health in 2015.
Traction
The company reports closing an oversubscribed Seed+ round in 2025, and cites recognition as Iowa Biotech Leader of the Year in 2025 and Farm Foundation Innovator of the Year in 2026.
Latest developments
In 2025 the company reported closing an oversubscribed Seed+ round and receiving the Iowa Biotech Leader of the Year recognition, followed by a Farm Foundation Innovator of the Year listing for 2026.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography
Market position
Positions itself as a next-generation entrant in animal health vaccines, led by a team with a prior exit in the same sector (Harrisvaccines to Merck Animal Health).
Custom, herd-specific vaccine formulations built on an mRNA and nanoparticle platform, presented as offering greater speed, scalability, and precision than conventional vaccine approaches.
Technology
The platform combines mRNA and nanoparticle technology to produce vaccines, with an emphasis on custom, herd-specific formulations and rapid development timelines relative to conventional vaccine platforms.
Go-to-market
Livestock producers and the broader animal health and food supply sectors.
Geography
Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, United States, with a stated focus on animal health worldwide.
Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Competitors · 6
by search overlap
Companies competing with Genvax for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Non-dilutive funding · 1 SBIR/STTR award
Federal grants — no equity taken| Agency | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Phase I | 2023 | $175K |
Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.
Timeline · 3
launches, deals, and filingsThe company states it closed an oversubscribed Seed+ round in 2025; no amount or investors disclosed.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
Legal entities · 1
corporate structure▸Research sources · 1
primary sources listed
- Genvaxgenvax.com · web
1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Genvax do?
- Genvax Technologies develops mRNA and nanoparticle-based, herd-specific vaccines for livestock and animal health.
- Who founded Genvax?
- Genvax was founded by Joel Harris, Dr. Hank Harris, DL Hank Harris in 2021.
- Who are Genvax's investors?
- Genvax's investors include Ag Ventures Alliance, Next Level Ventures.
- How much funding has Genvax raised?
- Genvax has disclosed $9.8M raised across 2 rounds.
- Where is Genvax headquartered?
- Genvax is headquartered in Ames, US.