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Photonics Startup Launches in Ottumwa

Indian Hills Community College and Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation are very pleased to announce an exciting new entrepreneur to the Regional Entrepreneurship Center located at the North Campus near the Ottumwa airport.

IAM AGTECH, a photonics and laser optics technology startup firm founded in Ottumwa Iowa is the newest occupant of the Regional Entrepreneur Center (REC). “We are so thrilled to have Dr. Dominic and (wife) Neeve Murphy decide to launch their firm in the REC” stated Dr. Marlene Sprouse, President of Indian Hills Community College. “Years of attending the Photonics West conference near Silicon Valley where we first met Dom and Neeve has finally paid off in a really big way.”
IAM AGTECH is a startup company committed to bringing precision optics-based technology measurements to not only the agribusiness industry but many other applications as well. The firm will capitalize on IHCC’s Laser and Electro-Optics Technology program and most importantly its students and graduates. The jobs needed will leverage the skillsets of locally trained technicians, generate new knowledge and attract new skills from other regions and create new high-tech, employment opportunities.

“Good paying jobs that leverage our existing employee base have always been a top strategic priority for Legacy Foundation” said Legacy Foundation CEO Brad Little. “Especially those that pay well and keep our graduates from leaving the area.” The Legacy Foundation was an early investor in the REC and through a partnership with Indian Hills has provided the initial seed money to launch IAM AGTECH.

“We are excited to break new ground in Ottumwa where we can plant and grow Ag-Photonics technologies in a rich and fertile soil” said the Murphys. “Ottumwa is the ideal location for us because of the strong and vibrant agriculture base, access to skilled graduates from the Laser & Electro-Optics Technology Program and the key enabling support we have received from the Legacy Foundation and Indian Hills Community College.”

Dr. Dominic Murphy is an International Award–winning technologist from Ireland with a passion for innovation. Using proprietary field instruments, early detection and intervention across soil, feed and dairy applications, will be enabled. The firm is actively recruiting, has been approved for IEDA funding support and positively engaged with local southeast Iowa farmers and agribusiness concerns.