North Columbus News

Even the most successful entrepreneurs are often uncertain when their next big idea will emerge. However, when such a moment occurs, it can revolutionize an industry or culture and improve future living standards.

Ohio State student Kalib Riddle experienced his "a-ha" moment during a conversation with Roan Kovach, his roommate and fellow entrepreneur. They were brainstorming ways to expand the use of a cancer research sensor that Kovach was developing beyond healthcare applications. Growing up in rural Ohio and working on farms, Riddle thought about agriculture—specifically fertilizer application.

“Currently, farmers go out and prong every acre, which produces pretty low data precision,” said Riddle, a second-year economics major and entrepreneurship minor at the Max M. Fisher College of Business. “This lack of information leads to high fertilizer costs and fertilizer being wasted through runoff, which ultimately leads to soil erosion and damage to the ecosystem. I thought using the sensor on dirt could create extremely potent and precise data.”

This idea led to the creation of Blomso, a startup focused on integrating sensor technology, software, and AI to enhance agricultural fertilizer application while reducing harmful runoff from over-application.

In March, Blomso was one of 12 startups selected for the inaugural Techstars Columbus Powered by The Ohio State University accelerator program for early-stage entrepreneurs. The three-month program aims to foster high-impact innovation by bringing together mission-driven founders with top software experts to build business momentum in areas such as sales, product development, go-to-market strategies, and venture capital funding.

“We’re part of this global push for sustainability,” said Riddle. “In agriculture, topsoil loss is one of the biggest problems and a critical piece in the food supply chain. One of the main problems of soil degradation is fertilizer over-usage—too much fertilizer will ultimately make soil unusable if you apply things like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK) where they aren’t needed.”

Before being selected for Techstars, Riddle met with farmers in central Ohio to discuss their fertilizer usage methods. He found their data-gathering techniques inefficient as they relied on third-party soil testers who charged $30,000 to $60,000 annually for extensive data reports interpreted by costly consultants.

Blomso aims to address this inefficiency by retrofitting a sensor prototype onto an agricultural till donated by a local farmer. This prototype reads soil parameters such as NPK levels across 100 acres. Software analyzes these readings to identify nutrient hotspots or shortages throughout fields. Automated spreaders then apply appropriate amounts of fertilizer based on this data.

“When I explained how Blomso’s technology could automate their process, give them independence and save money, farmers jumped on board,” said Riddle. “Through Ohio State’s Farm Science Review, I connected with seven other families and now have 13 farms on board and 15,000 acres of donated pilot land.”

Riddle estimates that Blomso’s sensor could reduce fertilizer usage by up to 35%, potentially saving $110,000 annually for a farmer with 1,000 acres.

“This will ultimately help farmers be competitive on the market pocket some savings and help lower the cost of food,” said Riddle. “Fertilizer runoff into the Ohio River and Lake Erie costs farmers and the state around $827 million a year. If we can help stop that runoff at its source with our precise application technology it will help save millions.”

During Techstars’ accelerator program Riddle participated in “Mentor Madness” meeting approximately 100 entrepreneurs corporate partners investors alumni engineers and software developers who assisted in refining Blomso's product business development marketing fundraising strategies technical applications

“The mentors helped us look at things we thought we would solve but didn’t foresee solving as well,” said Riddle adding that Alan Gilbert lecturer in electrical computer engineering at Ohio State recognized issues improved durability refined key performance indicators pitch collateral presented venture capitalists government officials Techstars Demo Day May investor presentations Chicago New York June increased visibility amplified need funding manufacturing support

The newly developed durable prototype sensors cost $11K each goal deploy sensors 15K acres pilot farmland Ohio Department Agriculture spring partnership food production giant Europe

“With Blomso our ultimate goal lower fertilizer usage allow healthy topsoil crops make sustainable agriculture pragmatic profitable” said Riddle.

___