(St. Louis Business Journal) Data startup Agrela Ecosystems, born out of Danforth Center, begins commercializing tech after years of R&D

St. Louis startup Agrela Ecosystems, which has created a hardware system to collect environmental data, has begun commercializing its device after years of research and development.

The startup has started a pilot launch of its system with plans for full commercialization in 2025, if not sooner, said Agrela President Bill Kezele. Agrela, as part of its pilot launch, says it has signed on several customers and has started generating revenue.

Founded in 2016 by Donald Danforth Plant Science Center scientists, including Nadia Shakoor, Agrela has developed a hardware system, called PheNode, that it describes as an environmental sensor platform that can collect data relevant to its users. the PheNode was initially conceptualized for agriculture research, but its applicability has expanded to other industries, including geospatial research, sustainability and smart infrastructure. Kezele, Shakoor and. Todd Mockler co-invented Agrela's technology. Mockler, a Danforth Center scientist who died in January, also was a co-founder of St. Louis agtech firm Benson Hill (NYSE:BHIL).

Learn more in this St. Louis Business Journal article!