Emerging Technologies in Ag-Bio, Food, Biofuels, and Sustainability to be Presented at Fifth Annual Ag Innovation Showcase

What:    

Established in 2009, the Ag Innovation Showcase is the leading annual global event for agriculture's industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and capital providers. Over the course of each year, Larta Institute, on behalf of the Showcase partners, identifies, selects and promotes emerging technologies in ag-bio, food and nutrition, biofuels, sustainable materials, clean-tech, information technology, and animal health.
Held at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, MO, the largest independent plant science research institute in the world, the Ag Innovation Showcase is a joint effort of BRDG ("bridge") Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center and the Larta Institute, as well as a number of sponsors.

When:

September 9-11, 2013

Who:    

The Showcase will feature presentations by high-impact entrepreneurs from around the globe focusing on: precision agriculture; the use of biological solutions in agriculture; the development of plant-based renewables; and innovations in traditional agriculture.
The opening keynote address will be given by Dr. Robert Fraley, chief technology officer at Monsanto Company and Dr. James Budzynski, managing principal at MacroGain Partners will give the closing address. In addition, the event will feature a group of ag heavyweights discussing the industry's current hot topics of precision agriculture, the role of data, IT and analytics, and the future of biosolutions in agriculture.
Following are highlights from some of the companies and technologies that are being presented

• ENTERRA targets the elimination of food waste in processing it as both a natural fertilizer and a high-quality feed, using the services of an intermediary called the Black Soldier Fly. Referred to as "Renewable Food."
• DACOM is a Dutch company that brings sensor, Internet, and scientific concepts to the palm of your hand via smartphone, to help reduce the usage of a limited resource, water.
• CropLogic marries crop science with information technology in operating a continuous decision support system for crop growers, enabling forecasting and predictive strategy, via the cloud.

Where: 

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
975 North Warson Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63132

Why:      

Now in its fifth year, the Showcase has made a mark for itself in its continued emphasis on the issues that are driving world-wide approaches to food scarcity, security and availability, and then "curating" innovations that offer new insights into tackling these problems. Its panels of current industry executives, keynotes by acclaimed experts, and presentations by carefully vetted innovators are widely considered world-class.
Ninety five percent of companies that have presented at the Showcase have found potential partners and four of every five presenters have found potential investors. In addition, post-Showcase, two presenters were acquired by companies in attendance at the event. As a whole, past presenters have gone on to raise more than $96 million in investments for their innovative strategies.