You are currently viewing Mosquito-Fighting Founder Nate Venarske Featured in Magnolia Tribune

Mosquito-Fighting Founder Nate Venarske Featured in Magnolia Tribune

Magnolia Tribune has published a fantastic story about Nate Venarske and his startup, Automatic Mosquito Ovitrap, a participant in Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders accelerator program. Huge thanks to writer Lynne Jeter for covering Nate’s journey!

While studying biosystems engineering at Mississippi State University, Nate developed the Automatic Mosquito Ovitrap, designed to combat pesticide-resistant mosquitoes. The trap allows mosquitoes to breed but traps their offspring using a simple mesh screen, offering a promising solution for mosquito control.

Through MSU @ MCITy, Nate got a seat in the 2024 CoBuilders accelerator, which provided him with essential resources and mentorship to advance his idea. Over 12 weeks, Venarske and other entrepreneurs worked on their business plans, interviewed customers, improved their business skills, and worked with experienced mentors. Each also received $25,000 in seed funding to get their company off the ground. This support helped Venarske tackle challenges like learning how to secure EPA approval and developing a market strategy, enabling him to refine his prototype into a viable product.

Nate’s journey highlights the perseverance required to bring an innovative idea to market. Despite obstacles, such as proving the effectiveness of his device to pest control companies, he has remained committed to the process. The article notes that Nate’s basic approach was proven effective in 1982 but was too labor-intensive at the time. Through CoBuilders, Venarske connected with manufacturers and mentors who can help bring the solution to market.

At Innovate Mississippi, we are proud to support entrepreneurs like Venarske, who are working on solutions that have a significant impact. His progress demonstrates the value of resources and mentorship in driving innovation. We thank Ms. Jeter and the Magnolia Tribune for covering this story and highlighting the role of programs like CoBuilders in advancing entrepreneurship in Mississippi.