Iowa native B.J. Brugman had the opportunity to work with livestock producers around the country before returning to Iowa to grow a business serving U.S. pork producers.
Brugman, co-founder and CEO of Distynct, grew up on a farm outside of Royal, Iowa. He studied agricultural business at Iowa State as well as a master’s degree in agriculture economics from Purdue University and an MBA from Indiana University. He started his career with Elanco Animal Health and worked in account management roles in Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina, working with some of the largest livestock producers in the world.
Brugman’s wife, Kayla, works for Bayer and when she accepted an expat assignment in Lyon, France, in 2020, he left his role at Elanco to start Distynct. In 2021, they returned to Ames, Iowa, with their son Calvin (1) and ornery dog Pepper.
1. What problems is Distynct solving for today’s livestock producers?
The Distynct Smart Alarm system provides a barn owner with the ability to gain remote visibility of their barn without having to run new wires or buy new probes and devices. We found that the industry was craving a tool that could provide insight into current barn conditions but wasn't eager to replace all of their existing equipment in the barn to do so. Distynct provides the foundational internet connectivity for the barn and allows the barn owner to use the equipment already in the barn to monitor critical things like power, temperature fluctuations, and water availability right from their phone. Distynct is uniquely and intentionally hardware agnostic which allows a barn owner to affordably get this kind of visibility of their barn.
2. Why did you decide to start the company in Iowa?
My wife and I always wanted to return to Iowa and were fortunate that both of our careers led us back here. In the case of Distynct, our initial primary market was the U.S. swine industry. Iowa leads the way for swine production in the United States, so there really was no better place to be to launch the business.
3. What resources/benefits does Iowa provide to a startup in the agricultural space?
My experience started with a nudge from a professor at Iowa State, Kevin Kimle, Rastetter Chair of Agricultural Entrepreneurship at Iowa State University, and director of the Start Something College of Agriculture and Life Sciences program. I had an idea for a business (that later became Distynct) and I emailed Kevin to ask him what he thought and for a recommendation on what I should do next. That email led me to the Ag Startup Engine, an early stage venture group based in Ames, that put the first money into Distynct. The capital was certainly important, but the support network was equally as valuable as the business got started.
Iowa Economic Development Authority also has great resources for startups, not just in the ag category. We have been able to take advantage of some of the state programs that offer additional funding based on the business meeting certain milestones.
4. What advice do you have for someone considering a move or return to Iowa?
It's been eye-opening to me to be immersed in the culture of entrepreneurship that exists in Iowa. Even if your move or return to Iowa isn't directly related to a new business venture or startup, there is opportunity to engage with those in this community and I think you will find that engagement with entrepreneurs working on innovative solutions to problems will spark creative thinking for you in every aspect of your life.
5. Please share three recommendations of things to do or places to go in Iowa.
I like food. I am thinking about my next meal while eating the current one. Three places to try that are likely under the radar:
Published August 2024.