Invest Blue - Lexington Startup Investment & Networking Session
Join us for an engaging angel investing & startup pitch event hosted in collaboration with Invest Blue and The Speakeasy at J Render's.
The featured startup is PhytoGenesis Corp, led by Aardra Kachroo (CSO, co-founder) and Emiliano Aloi (CEO, co-founder). The Invest Blue Deal Champion is Paul Kelley.
The program will feature a startup pitch, Q&A with the founder, and conversation about the company and investment opportunity. The remainder of the event is dedicated to connecting with fellow attendees, exchanging ideas, and enjoying one-on-one conversations with the presenting founder. A perfect blend of insight, innovation, and networking for anyone interested in startups and venture opportunities.
About PhytoGenesis
PhytoGenesis is developing PreviSAR™, a Kentucky-developed biological crop protection platform that activates a plant’s natural immune system to provide season-long, broad-spectrum disease protection from a single application. Unlike conventional pesticides, PreviSAR helps crops defend against multiple disease threats while improving drought resilience, yield stability, and postharvest quality.
The company has significantly de-risked the opportunity through an exclusive University of Kentucky IP license, 26 third-party field trials, 100+ greenhouse trials, major manufacturing cost reductions, and active engagement with EPA regulators. Strategic collaborations with Bioceres, Ingredion, and grower organizations further validate commercial interest.
PhytoGenesis is raising a Seed funding round to advance EPA registration, field validation, and commercialization. Positioned within the rapidly growing agricultural biologicals market, the company offers investors exposure to a scalable platform technology addressing disease control, sustainability, and food security.
About J Render's
J. Render’s Southern Table & Bar is a locally owned Lexington destination known for its made-from-scratch Southern cuisine, hospitality, and unique private event venue, The Speakeasy. Founded by Gwyn and Ren Everly after launching a successful food truck and catering business, J. Render’s blends great food with community engagement. Gwyn, a University of Kentucky engineering alumna, is active in small business, nonprofit, and women’s leadership initiatives, including Women Who Thrive, UK Fayette County Alumni Board, and other community-focused organizations.
About Invest Blue
Invest Blue is an angel network that connects the global community of Kentucky affiliated innovators and investors. The network brings together a diverse community of investors from all levels of experience to facilitate investments, offer educational support, and remove the complexities associated with early-stage investing.
Invest Blue is a program of UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky.