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BizVoice/Indiana Chamber – March/April 2014
Getting to Know
A marriage of technology
and agriculture
The Z-Trap hangs in orchards and allows
farmers to track insect pest populations
digitally and in real-time. MyTraps is the
software app that works with the Z-Trap.
Broad vision
“What we’re involved with is a larger category
of growing and farming called precision
agriculture, to increase the amount of food
that can be brought to the market, at a lower
cost and in an environmentally-stable way for
the consumer, grower and for enterprise.”
Collegial beginnings
Started in 2009 by Dr. Johnny Park, the
company evolved from work between Park,
an assistant research professor at Purdue
University, and a student in the agriculture
department. Spensa was chosen by
BioCrossroads as a New Venture Competition
winner in 2013; the award brought a cash
prize and access to the Indiana Seed Fund II.
Team chemistry
There are 12 employees, mostly involved in
high-tech work; the company also utilizes
students for part-time work.
“We have a very diverse group of cultures. It’s
interesting to have that vitality. It is primarily
a young team. It has its own life and energy.”
How far is the reach?
Nationally, the company is involved with
almond growers in California and apple
growers in Washington, Pennsylvania and
Michigan. Beyond the U.S. borders, its reach
extends to Australia, South America, New
Zealand, South Africa and Central Europe.
“I think it’s a wonderful time to
be starting up, especially in
Indiana … We see a lot of
support. We see a market that
is very, very hungry – literally
or figuratively – and we can
add to that equation and help a
lot of people.”
Tom Puterbaugh
Vice president of products
spensatech.com
Spensa Technologies
Helping Growers Produce More Food
Spensa Technologies combines technology
and agriculture by allowing farmers to
track insect pest populations digitally with
the company’s Z-Trap and MyTraps
application.
