Scott Massey, founder of Anu (stylized as "anu") received the Class VIII Outstanding Fellow award from the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation. Massey earned his degree in mechanical engineering technology from Purdue Polytechnic. The foundation presented the honor during its 2026 annual event in Indianapolis.
The award recognizes Massey for his fellowship capstone initiative. He titled the project "Nurturing Hoosier Hearts and Minds: From Cradle to Career." Massey convened leaders across agriculture, healthcare, education and business to advance health-focused food solutions. His work secured $1 million in federal grant funding for agricultural innovation in Indiana.
Massey co-founded the agricultural technology company anu alongside electrical engineering technology alumnus Ivan Ball. The company produces fully automated indoor smart gardens. The devices utilize rotary aeroponics to grow fresh produce without soil. The systems use 98% less water than traditional field farming.
Massey and Ball met as undergraduate research engineers at Purdue. They worked on a NASA-funded project to grow food on the International Space Station. The founders adapted the technology for consumer use and global community development. They installed off-grid, solar-powered growing systems in Togo, Cameroon and Lesotho to combat food insecurity.
In 2024, Forbes named Massey to its 30 Under 30 list in the manufacturing and technology category due to anu's innovations and track record of enhancing food security in vulnerable regions.
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