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AgTech Nexus USA

July 22-23, 2019

Chicago, The Standard Club & Whiskey Acres

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AgTech Nexus USA 2019

The fifth annual AgTech Nexus USA is bringing the conversation to Chicago, once again convening an international group of investors, agribusiness executives, agtech entrepreneurs and farmers with a spotlight on the rapidly growing agriculture technology market. Presented by Global AgInvesting and co-hosted by the Illinois Soybean Association, AgTech Nexus in Chicago will expose attendees to the innovations and investment opportunities surrounding this compelling, nascent sector that has the power to change the trajectory of the global food system.

Trade disputes, labor shortages and market volatility are all raising issues for producers in a world where there is increasing consumer concern and scrutiny on the provenance of their food, not to mention the continuous need to sustainably increase productivity and efficiency for growing populations. This conference will feature presentations and panel discussions from industry thought leaders and forward thinkers, as well as the opportunity to gain context and clarity with exclusive farm tours and field trips.

If you are interested in contributing to this endeavor through sponsorship and/or speaking opportunities, please contact Kate Westfall to discuss the possibilities.


Event Location

The Standard Club & Whiskey Acres
320 S Plymouth Ct
Chicago, 60604 United States

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In The News

Illinois Soybean Association to co-host AgTech Nexus USA (2.19.2019)


CHICAGO, Feb. 19, 2019 – Global AgInvesting (GAI) today announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff program in support of its annual AgTech Nexus USA conference, which showcases the innovations and investment opportunities in the burgeoning agtech sector. This year’s conference will be held in Chicago at the Standard Club, July 22-23.

“At AgTech Nexus, we have consistently featured the latest in data-driven farm management tools, advances in genetics, robotic developments, blockchain technology, predictive agriculture and AI platforms, connecting interested investors with the innovators,” said Kate Westfall, chief operating officer for GAI and event director for AgTech Nexus. “This year, through co-hosting with the ISA, we will incorporate producers’ voices into the conversation, bringing firsthand knowledge and bottom-line insight into the room of engaged investors. We are very excited about this collaboration.”

The agtech investment landscape has exploded over the last decade, from a niche investment for opportunistic venture capitalists to a legitimate asset class. More than $1.6 billion was deployed in the sector in 2018 – as reported by a collaborative report from PitchBook and Finistere Ventures – supporting 209-plus deals.

Technology to lead change in ag

The vision of ISA, a statewide organization funded by producers through a checkoff program that collects a portion of their soybean sales proceeds, is to enable Illinois soybean producers to be the most knowledgeable, sustainable and profitable in the global marketplace. Yield is a key factor and yields continue to rise, as ISA CEO Craig Ratajczyk explained: “If Illinois were a country it would be the fourth largest soybean producer globally, and Illinois has led all states in soybean production in five of the last six years.”

“Now, ISA is increasing focus on agtech and the benefits Illinois producers can realize through successful incubation and implementation of new ag technologies,” Ratajczyk continued. “This focus has created the partnership with AgTech Nexus.”

As environmental and nutritional awareness rise, the trade war looms and population growth continues, consumers are increasingly demanding transparency, sustainability and healthier options in their food choices. “Producers are investing checkoff dollars, looking for ways to drive top-line value for their crops to address these variables,” added Ratajczyk. “Following along with our goals to be the center for technology and innovation in soybean research and development, we have partnered with the preeminent industry event – AgTech Nexus. With this, we can explore, examine and adopt the next generation of technological solutions that promise prosperity for our members, as well as make a sustainable and quantifiable difference in the sector as a whole.”

Highlights of this year’s AgTech Nexus include presentations and interactive panel discussions from industry experts, boots-on-the-ground visits to local farms, compelling company pitches from startup innovators, and a showcase of concepts from young entrepreneurs.

 

 
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About AgTech Nexus

Global AgInvesting’s AgTech Nexus conference series is dedicated to building the community of forward-thinking players who are allocating capital, building partnerships, and changing the trajectory of the global food system. Most recently, AgTech Nexus USA 2018 took place in Boston as a sister event to AgTech Nexus Europe, returning in December to the burgeoning agtech hub of Dublin. 

Last year in Dublin, attendees met and mingled with leaders from: Accenture, AgriFood Business Partners, Alltech, Atlantic Bridge Capital, Bank of Ireland, CapAgro, CapF9, Davy Corporate Finance, Devenish, Farmers of North America, Finistere Ventures, Focus Capital Partners, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Genesis Agribusiness Partners, HSBC Corporate Banking, IBM Research, IDA Ireland, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Kepak, National Treasury Management Agency, Ornua Group, OurCrowd, PitchBook, Plenty United Inc., PwC, Rabo Private Equity, Radicle, Sumitomo Corporation Europe Ltd., The Yield Lab, Trendlines Group, Western Growers, and many more. Join your peers on Friday, 7 December and be part of the conversation. 

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Agenda

Preliminary Agenda - Subject to Change

If you are interested in joining the AgTech Nexus USA speaking faculty, please contact Kate Westfall.

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Monday, July 22, 2019
7:45 am - 8:45 amCheck-In, Networking Coffee & Continental Breakfast
8:45 am - 9:00 amWelcome & Opening Remarks
9:00 am - 9:30 amPresentation: How AgTech Has Increased Efficiency in Row Crop Production
9:30 am - 10:00 amPresentation: What Happened this Spring? Evaluating Climate Risk in 2019 and Beyond
10:00 am - 10:45 amPanel: Producer Perspectives - What Drives Farmer Adoption & Which Technologies Are Truly Disruptive On-Farm?
10:45 am - 11:15 amNetworking Coffee Break
11:15 am - 11:30 amPresentation: Emerging Technologies in Livestock Production – Blockchain, Gene Editing, AI and More
11:30 am - 12:30 pmPanel: The Women of RIPE Explain Increasing Photosynthetic Efficiency
12:30 pm - 1:00 pmAdoptable Disruption: Rethinking the Path in AgTech
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm"Ask a Grower" Networking Lunch Featuring Farmer-Hosted Roundtable Discussions
2:30 pm - 3:00 pmDiscussion: Investor Perspectives - Which Technologies Are Ready to Scale?
3:00 pm - 3:30 pmAgTech Innovation Spotlight - Fostering the Next Generation of AgTech Entrepreneurs
3:30 pm - 4:00 pmNetworking Coffee Break
4:00 pm - 4:30 pmPresentation: AgTech Investment Review with a Focus on Biologicals -- Fringe Players or Disruptive Force?
4:30 pm - 5:30 pmPanel: The Bridge Between Sustainability and Profitability - What Role Can Technology Play in Regenerative Agriculture Practices?
5:30 pm - 6:30 pmNetworking Reception
 
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
8:00 am - 8:45 amMorning Networking Coffee & Continental Breakfast
8:45 am - 9:00 amPresentation: The Importance of Including Farmers Earlier in the Development Process
9:00 am - 9:45 amDiscussion: Tackling Food Waste & Building Efficiencies Along the Supply Chain
9:45 am - 10:00 amPresentation: Agtech and Supply Chain Opportunities
10:00 am - 10:15 amPresentation: Achieving Transformative Collaboration
10:15 am - 10:45 amNetworking Coffee Break
10:45 am - 11:30 amDiscussion: Finding Opportunity in Plant-Based Dairy & Meat Alternatives
11:30 am - 12:15 pmKeynote Executive Interview: The Role of the American Midwest in Shaping the Future of Global Agriculture
12:15 pm - 1:30 pmBoxed Lunch & Transportation to Field Day at Whiskey Acres
1:30 pm - 3:45 pmWelcome to the Farm, Hands-On Technology Demo - Rowbot, Equipment Exhibitions, Farm & Distillery Tours
3:45 pm - 4:15 pmAgTech Innovation Spotlight
4:15 pm - 4:30 pmPresentation: Examination of the Current Landscape of Agricultural Robotics
4:30 pm - 5:00 pmLive Podcast Recording - Robotics Discussion
5:00 pm - 6:00 pmNetworking Cocktail Reception
6:00 pm - 7:00 pmTransportation Back to Chicago
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Sponsors

If you are interested in sponsoring AgTech Nexus, 

please contact Kate Westfall to discuss the possibilities.

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Event Partners

If you are interested in joining AgTech Nexus as an event partner,
please contact Kate Westfall to discuss the possibilities.

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