Before most businesses had even touched a keyboard, The Arthur Companies was backing software that would change the way industries operated. In the early 1990s, we were the sole owner of Great Plains Software, a company that revolutionized accounting systems for small and midsize businesses. That venture went public and ultimately became the backbone of what is now Microsoft Dynamics.
It wasn’t just a good investment—it was a signal of how we think: long-term, systems-focused, and unafraid to bet on what’s next.
Today, that mindset continues to guide our innovation platform. We don’t chase buzzwords. We back ideas that solve real problems in agriculture, logistics, and finance because better tools build better businesses, and better businesses support stronger farms.
Why We Invest Differently
The Arthur Companies’ venture platform isn’t structured around exits or fund cycles. We’re a family-owned operating company that invests where we see long-term value—not just financial upside. If a tool helps growers farm smarter, or helps ag businesses run smoother, we get involved. We back companies where our experience, reach, and reputation can move the needle beyond capital alone.
- Rooted Perspective: As operators in the ag value chain, we spot what actually works—not just what sounds good in a pitch deck.
- Long-Term Alignment: We’ve worked with some farm families for four generations. We value patient growth, not manufactured outcomes.
- Built-In Reach: Our footprint in grain, agronomy, and ingredients means we can help test, scale, and distribute the right ideas at the right time.
- Real-World Insight: We bring field-tested, boots-on-the-ground experience to help entrepreneurs sharpen, simplify, and scale their solutions.
SeedZ
SEEDZ is a technology solutions company dedicated to everyone involved in agribusiness.
Driven by innovation, they create solutions that bring intelligence, efficiency, and value to the sector. For companies, they enhance commercial performance through data-driven incentive management, advanced market intelligence, and stronger engagement with producers. For rural producers, they provide the support you need – from accessing financial resources and incentives to increasing productivity and securing credit.
Levridge
Levridge delivers modern, cloud-based ERP for agribusiness, built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and headquartered in Barnesville, MN. Tailored to commodity processors, cooperatives, grain elevators, ethanol plants, and retailers, Levridge streamlines accounting, operations, equity/ patronage, and risk management. Its Bushel integration and Saas architecture provide scalable tools from the office to the field. This unit digitizes the backend of ag businesses, enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Balcão
Balcão Agrícola do Brasil (BAB) offers Brazil’s first domestically regulated OTC platform for physically delivered grain derivatives-corn, soy, soymeal, and oil. Founded in 2022 and backed by entities like Rumo Logistics, it received authorization from Brazil’s CVM in August 2024.
BAB enables local producers and traders to hedge price and FX risk in Brazilian reais, helping stabilize margins. This platform extends our reach into global grain risk management and financial services in emerging markets.
Ag Startup Engine
Ag Startup Engine is a Midwest-based preseed investment program that supports agtech entrepreneurs with early-stage funding (typically $25-50K), mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Founded in 2015 and located in the lowa State Research Park, it has since funded over 24 startups, helping build a vibrant ag innovation community.
With strong ties to lowa State University and experienced founders, ASE acts as a bridge between early agtech ideas and growth-ready companies. This platform amplifies our impact in emerging technology across the food and agriculture value chain.
EpiCrop
EpiCrop Technologies, founded in 2014 in Lincoln, NE, pioneers epigenetic breeding to enhance crop vigor and stress resilience without genetic modification. Their epimethyl analytics and reprogramming platforms decode plant gene pathway marks and apply them through grafting to boost yields and stability.
In June 2025, they broke ground on an 18,000 square foot research facility in St. Louis to scale their cutting-edge science. This work broadens our investment into deep biotech innovations transforming crop performance.
Growth Equity
The Arthur Companies CEO James Burgum and its Chairman Brooks Burgum have been involved in founding and leading growth equity firms Arthur Ventures and Longwater Opportunities, respectively. Arthur Ventures focuses on providing early-stage growth capital to B2B software companies across the U.S. and Canada. Longwater Opportunities is a leading multi-asset private markets investor investing in both equity and credit across the U.S. The Arthur Companies has also participated as a founding investor in Parcerio Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in B2B software across Latin America.
Frontier Genetics
Frontier Genetics is The Arthur Companies’ wheat breeding program focused on developing high-performing, regionally adapted spring wheat varieties for the Northern Plains .
Led by Senior Wheat Breeder Mory Rugg, the program combines proprietary genetics and rigorous local testing to deliver stronger yield, disease resistance, and end-use quality for growers and end users .