DTN acquires agritech sensor startup Spensa Technologies to provide a more comprehensive solution to its customers

After weeks of speculations, DTN finally put the rumors to rest with the news of its acquisition of  Spensa Technologies. In a company release, the Minneapolis-based DTN announced that it has agreed to acquire Spensa, a Purdue University spinout that operates from West Lafayette, IN. The financial terms of the deal which still needs approval from Spensa shareholders, were not disclosed.

Founded in 2009 by Johnny Park, Spensa Technologies an agritech startup that develops sensors, software, and other products that give farmers insights about their operations. Park had no background in agriculture. Per Xconomy,”his work shifted to agtech in 2008 after he received a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant for a project that incorporates robotics and computers into farming.”

DTN is an independent source of insight and analysis, and decision-support solutions to customers worldwide in agriculture, energy, commodities and financial analytics, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Spensa Technologies, a precision agriculture technology company. Its information services power some of the biggest sectors of the global economy, delivering actionable insights on platforms customized to individual client needs within diverse industries from agriculture to .

Spensa’s industry-leading sensors and innovative technologies help growers better manage agronomic pests such as insects, weeds and disease. The company gathers high-resolution data, then models that data to reveal insights to help agriculturalists make the most informed decisions possible. The Purdue Research Park-based startup’s mission is to design, develop and deliver novel technologies for the agricultural industry that will reduce reliance on manual labor, foster eco-friendly farming and enhance crop production efficiency. Their technologies leverage the team’s world-leading expertise in wireless sensor networks, robotics and computer vision.

“Combining Spensa’s current product offerings with DTN’s Agribusiness and Producer platforms and infrastructure will provide a more comprehensive solution to DTN customers,” said DTN Co-CEO Sheryl von Blucher. “Spensa’s agronomic capabilities will further complement DTN’s agriculture industry offerings with differentiated actionable agronomic information and insights. Additionally, the acquisition creates opportunities for DTN to expand the company’s offerings to non-core markets like fruit and tree markets in California.”

Spensa was named one of the top 25 innovative ag-tech startups by Forbes in 2017. The company is based in West Lafayette, Ind., in the Purdue Research Park and has strong academic relationships with the university, which is a renowned hub for agriculture.

DTN is the trusted source of actionable insights for 600,000 customers focused on feeding, protecting and fueling the world. DTN focuses on empowering customers worldwide with decision-support solutions in agriculture, energy, commodity and financial analytics, and weather-sensitive industries through continuous, leading-edge innovation. DTN is based in Minneapolis with offices globally.