AGL, a member of the Advanced Technology Development Center’s (ATDC) Accelerate program, said it expects to release its veterinarian and animal care sensor-analytics technologies in 2016.
“We have assembled a team with years of experience using analytics-based systems to provide unique insights into animal health,” Joe Young, AGL’s chief operating officer, said in a statement. “And, our internal experts have partnered with Georgia Tech, a world leader in sensor technologies. Together, we are combining state-of-the-art technology with real-world understanding to help veterinarians provide a higher level of care for chronic conditions and improved health programs.”
Formerly called AgLogica Holdings, Norcross-based AGL was founded by team of people with extensive animal health business and technology expertise. Company co-founders, Rich Shuler and Marcel Sarzen, AGL president and CEO, along with Young, all have previous experience building animal-analytics systems, including one of the largest-ever cloud databases that provides easy-to-access health and performance data on animals.
The advanced AGL systems will be based on animal-behavior algorithms developed by and exclusively licensed from Georgia Tech. AGL is combining these unique genetic algorithms with rapid advances in sensors, cloud computing and mobile apps to create a novel technology platform. As it develops practical veterinary applications using this platform, the company is tapping into a board of experts — including veterinarians representing practices from coast to coast — to provide advisory counsel.
“While our products will use cutting-edge technology, we are truly excited about how they will be easy for people to use to manage their animals’ health,” Young said. “AGL systems will be welcomed by today’s pet owners and veterinarians who depend on technology to make their lives better, more efficient and connected.”
After being invited to present its vision and business plan at the Kansas City Animal Health Investment Forum, AGL secured an additional $3.5 million in funding. GRA Ventures, a nonprofit catalyst for seeding research-based companies, also has provided research-and-development funding. AGL has been accepted into ATDC, Georgia Tech’s statewide startup incubator program, and is partnering with Microsoft BizSpark to access its Azure cloud infrastructure.
“Not only does AGL have a solid financial and business foundation, but we also are well-suited to strategically partner with other organizations that specialize in veterinary pet care,” Young said. “For example, companies focused on dermatology, obesity, osteoarthritis, chronic-care management, rehabilitation and other specialties can benefit from our data-driven insights when developing new products or repositioning current products.”