MOOchanics LLC, a startup born from a University of Florida senior design team project, is making notable progress as it prepares for the Big Idea Gator Business Plan Competition.
The company was recently selected as an inaugural member of the F-300 AgFoodTech Startup Accelerator, a pioneering agricultural development initiative aimed at strengthening Newberry’s agri-food tech ecosystem and driving economic growth in the local community.
Over the course of three months, participating businesses will collaborate to address common challenges faced by local farms. MOOchanics and its peer organizations will be paired with potential clients to apply their solutions in real-world settings. The initiative supports Newberry’s broader vision of becoming a hub for agricultural innovation and positioning Florida as a leader in agri-tech development.
MOOchanics was also chosen to join the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Southeast Regional Hub, a coalition of eight universities across four states committed to advancing innovation. Each participating institution will receive $3 million over five years to expand access to entrepreneurial training and resources, helping researchers and startups bring their technologies from the lab to market. The I-Corps Hubs emphasize translating technology into practical applications, delivering entrepreneurial training, fostering workforce development, and promoting collaboration and inclusion within the innovation ecosystem.
The company is also gearing up for the UF Innovate Big Idea Gator Business Plan Competition, a four-month challenge that encourages student teams to develop scalable business models. As the competition progresses, teams conduct research and draft comprehensive business plans with guidance from mentors at UF’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center. The top four finalists will compete for more than $40,000 in prize funding to support their ventures. The competition offers valuable exposure and potential investor interest for early-stage companies like MOOchanics.
MOOchanics’ flagship product is a patent-pending artificial cow rumen simulator that replicates the digestive process in cattle. The device enables researchers and farmers to evaluate feed formulas and medications without risking animal health, allowing for more precise nutrition management and optimized feeding strategies.
The MOOchanics team is led by Anissa Mansouri, alongside Garrett Leath, Mikayla L. Johnson, Chadi Rachid and Adisa Harding. The group is supported by faculty mentors Dr. Antonio Faciola from UF/IFAS Animal Sciences and Dr. Matthew Traum from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Story, Editing & Design by: Katherine Canev
Marketing & Communications Student Assistant
Editing by: Christi Swiers
Marketing & Communications Specialist
UF Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
April 16, 2025