Athian Announces Funded Launch
An industry-based, AI-powered analytics tool, Athian enables the livestock (beef, dairy, pork and poultry) industry to make good on its sustainability commitments by validating GHG credits and providing a connected marketplace to monetize them.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN [February 15, 2022] — Athian (https://www.athian.ai) launched the creation of an industry-led livestock sustainability platform last week. The company has received investment from Elanco Animal Health, Incorporated, a global leader in farm animal and pet health solutions. Athian, headquartered in Indianapolis, will partner with industry leaders to create a connected carbon marketplace.
Athian’s marketplace solution enables the creation, banking, buying, and selling of certified carbon credits, enabling farmers and ranchers to monetize their current and future sustainability efforts. The company’sSustainableLivestock Systems platform validates and certifies greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, carbon capture, and energy production, creating quality GHG credits that ultimately fund high-impact efforts to stabilize the climate and build resilient communities.
Athian is led by founder and CEO Paul Myer, an accomplished technology leader who has built multiple Software as a Service (SaaS) companies in the network security and data analytics marketplaces. Myer most recently founded California-based Veracity Industrial Networks, a cybersecurity platform for the industrial networks that operate our critical infrastructure, including the power grid, manufacturing, and petrochemical sectors.
The initial concept for Athian emerged through a collaboration between Elanco and Indianapolis-based High Alpha Innovation, a venture studio that partners with corporations and universities to innovate via startup creation. By building and investing in a sustainability-focused startup, the team believes they can address the dual challenges of nourishing the population and mitigating climate change. After gaining conviction to launch Athian in High Alpha Innovation’s Sprint Week process, Elanco leveraged its industry-leading position and extensive portfolio of tools and resources such as its UpLook™ sustainability insights engine – to continue to drive operational value in the future.
“I’m pleased to partner with Elanco and other thought leaders in the livestock production value chain as we launch Athian to aggregate, certify, and monetize carbon credits,” notes Myer. “At Athian, we’re software experts with agriculture in our genes, and this unique combination is what the industry needs to reach critical sustainability commitments and Net Zero emissions targets.”
“Paul’s software expertise and Elanco’s long history of innovation in the animal agriculture space provided the backbone for Athian,” adds Elliott Parker, CEO of High Alpha Innovation. “By launching this company, we’re helping farmers and ranchers to continue doubling down on their sustainability efforts while keeping value within the food system.”
“We believe environmental sustainability is the next era of opportunity for livestock production,” explains Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco. “We have to empower our farmers and ranchers with innovation, tools and insights to help them create value and make a difference on these societal issues. We need continued, collaborative innovation – by creating Athian and helping advance this new company with industry partners, we’re delivering on a hugely important promise.”
About High Alpha Innovation
High Alpha Innovation is an Indianapolis-based venture studio that partners with corporations and universities. Its dedicated team of company builders, strategists, and designers apply a proven venture studio playbook — pioneered byHigh Alpha— to help the world’s leading organizations innovate through systematic startup creation.Learn more about High Alpha Innovation at highalphainno.com.
