iSelect: Pioneering the Future of Food, Health, and Technology

EarthOptics reaches milestone of mapping a record 1 million acres of farmland and ranchland

EarthOptics, a soil mapping and measurement firm, has successfully mapped and measured one million acres of farmland and ranchland with its SoilMapper platform. This achievement underscores the platform’s effectiveness in enhancing the efficiency, sustainability, and profitability of farming and ranching operations. By integrating physical samples with multi-sensor data, EarthOptics offers detailed soil insights, including compaction, carbon content, and nutrient availability, thereby supporting the advancement of regenerative agriculture practices. Since 2021, the company has conducted measurements and mapping in 45 US states and on four continents, establishing itself as a prominent carbon measurement entity for grassland and rangeland. EarthOptics is emerging as a crucial hub for data essential in enhancing soil health, providing key insights that guide improvements in agricultural practices. It has become a trusted source within the food and agriculture supply chain, with stakeholders relying on its data for critical decision-making processes.

Farmers report improved soil health and crop yields using Holganix Bio 800+

Farmers Tim Varilek, Jon Nelson, and Grant Strom share their experiences using Holganix Bio 800+ products, reporting high yields, reduced fertilizer use, and improved soil health. Varilek, a third-generation farmer in Nebraska, has reduced his fertilizer use by 40% and reports high yields and reduced residue issues. Nelson, a farmer in South Dakota, won the 2023 South Dakota soybean yield contest with a yield of 82.5 bushels, using no fertility other than Holganix and some micronutrients. Strom, a farmer in Illinois, has also reduced his fertilizer rates significantly. All three farmers credit Holganix Bio 800+ with improving their soil health and crop yields.

Vestaron bioinsecticide receives emergency use authorization in Greece for control of devastating tomato leafminer infestations

Vestaron Corporation has been granted an Article 53 Emergency Authorization to provide farmers in Greece with access to a novel bioinsecticide, SPEAR® LEP, that tackles infestations of tomato leafminer while presenting minimal risk to beneficials, pollinators, or people. The Greek Ministry of Agriculture granted emergency use for SPEAR® LEP, a peptide-based insecticide that targets lepidopteran insects such as tomato leafminer. Agricultural product distributor Oxygen AgroShield LP petitioned the Greek Ministry of Agriculture for emergency authorization on behalf of 19 other Greek grower groups.

Pattern Ag announces partnership to predict and mitigate risks associated with the corn rootworm pest, one of the most destructive soil-borne pests in the United States

Stine Seed and Pattern Ag have launched the Prescriptive Pathogen Report, a tool designed to combat the effects of corn rootworm. The tool uses Pattern Ag’s predictive soil analysis to forecast the risk of corn rootworm in the upcoming growing season. The data collected is translated into actionable insights for growers. The tool has a reported accuracy rate of 90% and can detect a single egg in a 1 lb. sample of soil. Stine’s corn loyalty level customers will receive the report at a discounted price.

Health Technology

Geneoscopy’s pivotal CRC-PREVENT clinical trial reports the highest sensitivity for detecting colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas among available noninvasive screening tests

“Colorectal cancer rates are unexpectedly climbing among younger populations less than 50 years old, prompting a recent shift in screening guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Taskforce to initiate screening at age 45 years. There is a notable gap in data regarding the efficacy of noninvasive screening tests for this age group, including the sensitivity for colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced adenomas,” said Dr. David Lieberman. “This prospective pivotal study of a new stool-derived RNA test demonstrates excellent sensitivity for CRC and advanced adenomas across the entire age spectrum of adults eligible for CRC screening, including ages 45 to 49. Geneoscopy’s technology can potentially provide millions of people with a convenient and reliable option for detecting and preventing CRC.

Cofactor Genomics’ Immunotherapy Predictive Diagnostic, OncoPrism, Completes Validation and Moves Into Clinical Use in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Cofactor Genomics has validated its OncoPrism immunotherapy predictive diagnostic assay, designed for treating metastatic or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. This validation, announced at the national PREDAPT Summit, follows a study with independent patient cohorts and clears the assay for nationwide clinical use. CEO Jarret Glasscock highlighted the company’s accomplishments. Additionally, Cofactor’s efforts in predicting responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in various cancers have gained acknowledgment from the Nature Publishing Group.

CoxHealth and Journeys Metabolic Partner to Tackle Metabolic Disease

Journeys Metabolic, a value-based care leader, announced a partnership with CoxHealth to combat metabolic disease in Southwest Missouri. The partnership will provide at-risk individuals within CoxHealth access to Journeys Metabolic’s proprietary, four-month, app-based program. The program, which includes daily personalized educational content and a handheld biomarker device, has already helped 3,000 patients lose weight and manage their blood sugar. Journeys Metabolic has also announced two new additions to its leadership team, Courtney Younglove as Chief Medical Officer and Jessica Yang as Head of Clinical Product Solutions.

Molecular Assemblies wins BioServices Innovation of the Year award

Molecular Assemblies, Inc., a pioneer in enzymatic DNA synthesis, has been awarded the BioServices Innovation of the Year in the third annual BioTech Breakthrough Awards program. The company’s Fully Enzymatic Synthesis (FES) technology accelerates the production of long, pure, and accurate DNA to power the next generation of synthetic DNA products. The technology is being used in applications including CRISPR gene editing, research discovery, therapeutic development, and protein engineering. The award recognizes the company’s significant contribution to accelerating innovation in the biotechnology industry.

Our Value Proposition to Investors

iSelect offers investors a unique venture capital experience:

1. Broad Exposure: Investors gain access to a diverse array of firms pioneering in the food and health sectors, providing broad market exposure and reducing risk through diversification.
2. Strategic Follow-on Investment Opportunities: We provide the optionality to double down on high-performing investments, especially those surpassing the J Curve, ensuring our partners can capitalize on emerging successes.
3. Insightful Market Intelligence: Our deep involvement in the sectors we invest in grants our investors greater insights, affecting both their venture and public market strategies. For instance, understanding the implications of a declining obesity rate could influence investment decisions across related industries, such as snack foods.

Join Us on Our Mission

At iSelect, we’re more than investors; we are dedicated that focused innovation leads to a healthier, profitable, and more sustainable future. Join us in our journey to transform the landscape of food and health, improving longevity, creating lasting impact and robust investment opportunities. Our investors and entrepreneurs cultivate a future where innovation nourishes the world, drives economic growth, and builds a healthier society for all.

*Venture capital investing is speculative and involves substantial risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, illiquidity, complete loss of invested capital, limited operating history, conflicts of interest and the risk that this company could fail. This Investment may not achieve its objective. In addition to the foregoing risks, the adverse economic effects of the current interest rate environment are unknown and could materially impact this investment.  Private investments are highly illiquid, speculative, can lose all value and are not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The iSelect Funds are offered through North Capital Private Securities, member FINRA/SIPC. This message is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security, which only can be made through official offering documents that contain important information about risks, fees and expenses. Investment information contained herein has been secured from sources iSelect believes are reliable, but we make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of such information and accept no liability. We suggest that you consult with a financial advisor, attorney, accountant, and any other professional that can help you to understand and assess the risks associated with any investment opportunity.