Led by Indiana Farm Bureau member Tracey Wiedmeyer, Gripp offers farmers an operator-centric way to track assets and streamline communication, ensuring seamless connectivity across teams. The company’s innovative platform stood out among four finalists, earning top honors at the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention.

Now in its 11th year, the Ag Innovation Challenge provides a platform for Farm Bureau members to showcase advancements in agricultural business. The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, announced Gripp as this year’s winner, recognizing its contributions to modernizing farm operations.

Source: | Member since 2023

Now in its 12th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

The overall winner of the competition will receive $100,000 in startup funds, the runner-up will be awarded $25,000 and two additional business owners who advance to the final four round will receive $10,000.

The final four teams will be awarded $10,000 each and participate in a live pitch competition in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives at the AFBF Convention in January 2026 in Anaheim, CA, to win:
• Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, $90,000 (total of $100,000)
• Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, $15,000 (total of $25,000)

Recent winners of the Ag Innovation Challenge include Gripp (2025 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner and FEMA member since 2023), which offers farmers an operator-centric way to keep records of assets in combination with communication tools to keep everyone connected and Barn Owl Precision Agriculture (2024 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner), that manufactures a fully autonomous robot that supports farmers as they plant crops, control weeds and collect soil samples.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 9.

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