The ag tech landscape has evolved significantly in recent years. As the sector expands and continues to gain momentum as a critical industry for a sustainable future, the Agri Investment Forum has transformed into the AGRI Tech Venture Forum.
“These are exciting times, these are challenging times, but the breakthroughs are incredible,” says Erik Andrejko, VP of Science at Climate Corp. When it comes to finding ways to feed our ever-increasing population while combating the effects of climate change, Andrejko sees some clear parameters: “It’s going to be about integrated solutions—integrating information from different sources from different pieces of equipment.
Editor’s Note: AgFunderNews recently had the chance to speak with Gregg Halverson, President of Black Gold Farms. Halverson will be speaking at the Forbes Reinventing America: The AgTech Summit, taking place in Salinas, CA, July 8-9.
Microbiomes are all around us—and even inside us. According to The Human Microbiome Project, tens of trillions of the little cells live on and inside humans. Representing thousands of species, microbiomes outnumber our own cells by roughly 10 to 1.
Editor’s Note: AgFunderNews recently had the opportunity to speak with The Honorable Joe Gunter, Mayor of Salinas, on the relationship between agriculture and technology both in his home town and around the world.
As the world population continues to climb, so does the demand for food. With a finite amount of arable land, keeping up on the supply side is a major challenge for farmers located in certain regions of the world.
Earlier today, Kingenta Ecological Engineering Group announced the launch of a broad scale agricultural partnership between Israel and China. Founded in 1998, Kingenta is a Chinese technology enterprise dedicated to the development, production, and marketing of compound fertilizers, slow/controlled -release fertilizers, water soluble fertilizer, and other specialty fertilizers.
Smart irrigation company CropX has announced a $9 million Series A round led by Innovation Endeavors, Finistere Ventures, GreenSoil Investments. Prior backer OurCrowd also participated in the round. CropX uses wireless sensors and big data to help farmers conserve water used in crop growing operations.
Food retailers have been hot on the trail of new ways to help consumers stock their pantries and refrigerators. Using platforms similar to Amazon, many have turned to the internet to provide shoppers with a digital supermarket and fast delivery.
“Farmers everywhere will tell you that weather and water are the biggest issues,” Travis Bayer, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Asilomar Bio. The company recently closed a $3 million Series A round co-lead by Cultivian Sandbox Ventures and Fall Line Capital.
Editors Note: AgFunder recently sat down with Felicia Marcus, Chair of the California State Water Resources Board. Marcus will be leading a discussion on Living in the Reality of the California Drought at GAI Agtech Week on June 22-24, 2015.
Middle market businesses holder Compass Diversified Holdings (“CODI”) announced earlier this week that it will acquire Fresh Hemp Foods, which operates under the brand name Manitoba Harvest. Subject to usual closing requirements, the deal is set to be finalized within the next 45 days.
Precision irrigation management provider Hortau announced earlier this week that it has secured $5 million in funding from Advantage Capital Agribusiness Partners (ACAP). ACAP, which holds a Rural Business Investment Company license from the U.S.
Idaho is the latest state to announce a new agtech event, among a slew of local, national and international events cropping up across the globe.
On June 16, 2015, Idaho will host its first-ever AgriTech summit featuring local agricultural and technology sector leaders.
Indian investment and holding company Aspada recently announced a $3.3M Series A investment in Delhi-based EM3 AgriServices. EM3 represents one of the first private sector ventures to tackle the field of farm mechanization and technology services.
