Proto Labs’ Cool Idea! Award Helps AgPulse ‘Water Down’ the Competition
28 Junho 2016 - 12:00PM
Business Wire
Production grant empowered company to quickly
go to market with innovative irrigation solution
With water efficiency top of mind in agriculture, new businesses
are cropping up quickly. Winning a Cool Idea! Award and getting
access to critical grant funding was able to propel one innovative
company forward, enabling them to get their product to market
quickly and efficiently.
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The developers of AgPulse, a
water-management system that uses wireless technology and the
internet of things to optimize farm irrigation, have been presented
with the latest Proto Labs Cool Idea! Award. (Photo: Business
Wire)
California-based Mist Labs hopes to take a leading role in the
water-management segment with its new offering, AgPulse, an
internet-of-things-enabled, micro-irrigation control platform for
farms, vineyards, orchards – even backyards and gardens. AgPulse
employs wireless soil sensors and data analytics to monitor ground
moisture and to water the ideal amount when the soil indicates it
is necessary.
“Manual irrigation and record-keeping can cause large
discrepancies in watering,” said Mist Labs CEO Matt Kresse.
“AgPulse creates an immediate opportunity for farmers to understand
and conserve water usage, leading to optimized costs and
yield.”
With the price of water on an upward trajectory – especially in
drought-ridden regions like Central Valley California – Mist Labs
offers a unique solution, but needed to get to market quickly to
gain a competitive foothold.
According to Kresse, the company had all the elements required
to bring AgPulse to market but needed a partner to produce the
final, end-use parts for its innovative equipment. The parts had to
be custom-designed and injection-molded, using a high-strength
polycarbonate material.
The Cool Idea! Award, a service grant given to innovative
companies by quick-turn part and prototype manufacturer Proto Labs
(NYSE: PRLB), was the perfect solution. By winning the Cool Idea!
Award, Kresse and his team were able to apply the grant funding to
an initial production run of end-use parts. These included fully
functional, wireless flow meters designed to withstand the
demanding conditions of an agricultural environment. Very quickly,
Mist Labs was able to test and finalize the equipment, and launch
AgPulse to the market.
“We’re scheduled to deploy a large number of units on farms in
2016, establishing a solid customer base that will set us up for
success in the future,” said Kresse. “Without winning the Cool
Idea! Award, we would not be where we are today.”
With orders already rolling in, Kresse and his team are excited
about the sales pipeline and their ability to deliver products as
ordered. Units begin shipping midsummer 2016.
“Our goal with the Cool Idea! Award is to help innovative
companies move through the design-to-development process quickly –
whether they need functional prototypes, testing or low-volume
production quantities,” said Proto Labs founder Larry Lukis.
“Through our software-powered 3D printing, injection molding and
CNC machining manufacturing processes, we can help award winners
create exactly what they need, when they need it, to move their
business forward.”
About the Proto Labs Cool Idea! AwardOffered by Proto
Labs, the world’s fastest digital manufacturing source for custom
prototypes and low-volume production parts, the Cool Idea! Award
helps entrepreneurs bring innovative products to market through
grants that support product prototyping, testing and production.
For more details and to apply for a Cool Idea! Award, go to
www.protolabs.com/cool-idea.
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Proto LabsSarah Ekenberg, 763-479-7560Public Relations
Manager, Proto Labssarah.ekenberg@protolabs.comorMedia
ContactPadillaCRT for Proto LabsTim Nelson,
612-455-1789tim.nelson@padillacrt.com
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