Ag Startup Engine Seed

Joel Harris is the co-founder and CEO of Genvax Technologies, a company founded in 2021 that develops mRNA and nanoparticle vaccines for livestock, with initial focus on swine applications. He also serves as Executive Director of the Ag Startup Engine, a pre-seed investment group focused on midwest agricultural innovation. Harris previously co-founded Harrisvaccines, an mRNA livestock vaccine company that was acquired by Merck Animal Health in 2015, and has investment experience with venture groups including Vitalize Venture Group. He holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Iowa.

Kevin Kimle is the Rastetter Chair of Agricultural Entrepreneurship at Iowa State University, where he serves as Director of the Start Something Agriculture program and Teaching Professor in the Department of Economics. His work encompasses curriculum development, outreach to aspiring entrepreneurs and agribusiness executives, and research on entrepreneurship and innovation in agriculture. Prior to his current role, Kimle held positions in start-up companies, the seed industry, venture capital, commodity risk management, and agricultural policy, and has led public-private partnerships involving international universities and agribusinesses across Europe, South America, China, and Africa.