AgroBravo has Brazilian roots and eyes on American expansion
When AgroBravo Vice President of Strategy Julia Campbell Looney describes the company’s essence, she puts it simply: “We’re a U.S. company with a Brazilian soul.”
Founded by Julio Bravo, AgroBravo has long operated at the intersection of global agriculture and people-centered connection. For the better part of a decade, the company has facilitated high-level technical agricultural tours—immersive, cross-border experiences where U.S. and South American ag professionals, companies, and thought leaders share innovations, compare challenges, and build lasting relationships.
AgroBravo has taken American clients to explore Brazil’s seed production and livestock systems. They’ve helped Brazilian producers gain insight into American ag-tech advances, and they’ve recently expanded their tours to places such as China and Europe.
But now, with a new office at the Iowa State University Research Park in Ames, AgroBravo is going beyond tours—they’re building a permanent presence in the heart of the Midwest.
“We are really excited about the research and innovation put out by Iowa State and the chance to be near so many startup businesses working in the ag space,” says Campbell Looney. “Not only is it inspiring to be around the entrepreneur-minded people, but just the general conversations we get to have at the Research Park mean a lot to us.”
From Technical Tours to Thought Leadership
AgroBravo began as a niche technical tour provider. They offered boutique experiences for clients—farmers, agribusinesses, and executives—interested in learning about different geographies, practices, and products. Clients could travel with their top customers or employees to deepen relationships while learning about a region’s ag practices, technologies, and cultures.
But in recent years, the company has evolved into much more than a tour provider. AgroBravo now functions as a “soft landing” partner for ag startups seeking to enter new markets.
“We’re working to be not just a travel agency, but an idea exchange,” says Campbell Looney. “We want to help companies explore markets, find trusted partners, and navigate challenges like product registration, legal considerations, and operational structures.”
Whether a Brazilian seed company is seeking U.S. partners or a U.S. ag-tech startup wants to learn from Brazil’s crop protection approaches, AgroBravo provides more than introductions—it provides context, culture, and a path forward.
The Ames Advantage
Choosing Ames for AgroBravo’s first U.S. office wasn’t a coincidence. It was a strategic decision rooted in proximity to agricultural talent, startup support, and university collaboration.
A proud Iowa State University graduate and seventh-generation Iowan, Campbell Looney saw Ames as an ideal fit from the beginning. Beyond her personal ties, she cites the surrounding ecosystem of entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovation-minded companies as a key advantage.
“The ISU Research Park offers so much more than just office space,” she says. “We’re not only next to a top-tier land-grant university, but we’re surrounded by people who think globally and act locally. That matters.”
The company’s existing collaboration with Iowa State—especially in executive leadership programming through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences—made the transition seamless. Now, with a base in the Research Park, AgroBravo is poised to scale both its services and partnerships.
Americas United by Farming
At its heart, AgroBravo’s work is about building bridges: between companies, countries, and people.
“We’re proud to be an American company,” Campbell Looney says. “And we’re equally proud of our Brazilian heritage and team. What we’re doing is bringing those worlds together in ways that create value.”
That value isn’t just economic—it’s cultural, intellectual, and agricultural. From carbon markets in Argentina to executive leadership academies in Iowa, AgroBravo is helping leaders see beyond their borders and build relationships that drive global ag innovation.
“Julio talks about the idea of the Americas united by farming,” she says. “When you think about the combined production of Canada, the U.S., Argentina, and Brazil—that’s a massive global force. There’s so much we can learn from each other.”
Looking Ahead
As AgroBravo settles into its new home in Ames, the future is focused and intentional. Growth will come, but never at the expense of quality.
“We want to remain a trusted partner,” says Campbell Looney. “If someone has a product or idea they want to launch in a new country, we want them to think of us first—not just as a facilitator, but as someone who can help them do it right.”
With offices now on two continents—and a client base spanning three—AgroBravo is positioned to lead a new generation of globally minded, deeply rooted ag innovation.
And they’re doing it from Iowa.