About Us

Meet Our Team

​​Over 75 combined years of ag, business and tech R&D.

Ph.D., University of Michigan
B.A in Chemistry, Simpson College
Studied the structure and function of DNA repair mechanisms

M.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry,  KU
B.A in Biochemistry, Simpson College
Trained in leadership, communication, and entrepreneurship as a Madison and Lila SELF Graduate Fellow.

M.S. in Business Administration, ISU
B.A in Finance, University of Northern Iowa
25+ years of business leadership and strategy.

Advisors

Aaron Santos, Ph.D (Board Member)
Ph.D., Boston University, B.A in Physics, MIT
​Research expertise in microparticle and DNA kinetics

Karl Wilt, MA (Contract CFO)
CustomeOne
25+ Years of CFO experience and related consulting

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Path

​Established in 2017
NanoBio Designs (NBD) was founded to commercialize nanotechnology methods able to provide a clear visible distinction between samples with and without target DNA sequences.

​Launched in 2020
NBD developed and demonstrated its initial Minimal Viable Product v1.0 in April and received capital investment, and initiated a paid pilot project with a grain processing company. The platform's capabilities were limited to detecting a single genetic marker in soybeans.

Technology Evolution through 2025
NBD has continued to evolve its assays and detection devices to reach consistent detection in its current v2.0 platform in multiple grain sources. The next,  v3.0 and beyond, introduces detecting multiple markers in one assay, building on v2.0 assay and detection device technologies.

2025 Goals

1. Validate and tune platform V3.0 parameters that add to accuracy data sets.
2. Complete initial paid pilot projects that validate device v3.0 limits of detection.
3. Finalize paths to initial target markets and customers.
4. Ramp up platform sales; transition from pilot projects.
5. Develop additional novel use cases for particle assembly technologies.​

An Indiana + Iowa Ag Tech Story

NanoBio Designs' technology originated in Indianola, Iowa with initial funding provided from Iowa seed capital investors, an accellerator program hosted at Simpson College, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Research and development transitioned to be conducted at Maple Studios, West Des Moines, Iowa. 

The Elevate Ventures Innovation Voucher Program matched additional capital investments made by Elevate Ventures and Purdue Foundry, to accelerate our research and development of our novel microparticle pairing technology at the Bindley Bioscience Center at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. 

It is envisioned for NanoBio Designs to continue leveraging Indiana-based ag and biotech resources for its detection platform validation, adaptation, production, sales, and distribution at its Indianapolis and Purdue facilities.
While also having a significant sales, distribution and platform development presense in Central Iowa.

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Indianapolis HQ @ 16Tech

Supporters 

The Innovation Hub of HqO, powered by 76FWD, serves as the heartbeat of the 16 Tech Innovation District. 76FWD at HqO is where startups, innovators, entrepreneurs and makers have access to the space, resources, programs and creative energy to incubate new ideas and scale their businesses.