Curbicus, which offers dog owners a clean and convenient solution to dog waste, has launched its product nationwide following its participation in the Iowa Startup Accelerator.
“The Iowa Startup Accelerator really understands our mission and values,” said Anna Gannon, Curbicus founder and inventor. “Also, the ISA’s network and mentorship are extremely valuable.”

After more than three years of development and testing over fifty prototypes, Curbicus is offering a device that is both environmentally friendly and easy to use. It can be operated with just one hand, allowing an individual to clean up dog waste without physically touching it and while having a second hand free to carry a phone, bag, or other personal items.
Gannon said the idea for Curbicus came after years of watching people refuse to clean up after their dogs on city sidewalks. “I could not wrap my head around the fact that people wanted to have dogs and yet were irresponsible pet owners,” Gannon said. “I thought that if I could develop a clean and easy solution to the problem, it would make an impact.”
By using disposable capsules, Gannon notes that the device eliminates the “gross” factor of picking up dog waste. More importantly, it’s environmentally friendly.
“We are a green company that uses recyclable packaging and materials, as well as compostable capsules,” she says. “In the future, we are going to be using the compost as fertilizer in city parks.”
Pre-orders are currently available at Curbicus’ website for $99.
FarmLogs acquired by North Dakota agtech company
FarmLogs announced yesterday that was acquired is joining forces with Fargo, ND-based agtech company, Bushel.
Founded in Ann Arbor in 2011, FarmLogs builds simple software that would help farmers run more efficient operations. The company expanded into Iowa in 2016, opening an office in Des Moines.
“The addition of FarmLogs’ technology and team to Bushel creates a stronger digital connection between growers, commodity buyers, ag retailers and consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs),” read a press release announcing the acquisition.
Bushel, an independently-owned software technology company for growers, grain buyers, ag retailers, protein producers and food companies, today announced its acquisition of FarmLogs, a leading provider of technology farm management systems for row crop farms.
FarmLogs will continue to operate under the FarmLogs brand. All FarmLogs employees will join the Bushel team.
DenScore is a finalist for the PenFed Foundation Ignition Challenge
DenScore, a Des Moines company focused on improving dental benefits better for employers and employees, is a finalist for the PenFed Foundation Ignition Challenge.
VEIP’s Ignition Challenge is a competition in which military entrepreneurs with a new business or an idea for a business can identify their business impact and goals, compete for votes, and winners will receive both funding and mentorship.
DenScore uses machine learning to analyze dental performance so employers are able to leverage the most value-driven dentists in their insurance plans. The company relocated to Des Moines last year after participating in the 2020 cohort of the Global Insurance Accelerator.
The top 5 finalists of this competition are determined solely on the number of votes they get from the public. You can vote for DenScore here but do so quickly because voting ends today.
