The Ag Showcase is the leading annual global event for industry leaders, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and investors.

The Showcase highlights emerging technologies in ag-bio, biofuels, information technology, animal health, food and nutrition, sustainable materials and clean-tech.

The second annual Ag Innovation Showcase, sponsored by BRDG Park and others in May at the Danforth Plant Science Center, brought together more than 250 leaders from around the world – a 28 percent increase over last year’s hugely successful inaugural Showcase.

In addition, 17 entrepreneurial companies chosen from a large group of applicants were invited to make presentations demonstrating how their technologies are driving innovation in developing sustainable solutions in agriculture. Nearly 3 out of 4 attendees plan on contacting one or more of the early-stage companies that made presentations.

As a event for the “who’s who” in worldwide agriculture, ag scientists, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and established companies shared a common purpose – to bring innovative science to the ag marketplace.

The event attracted entrepreneurial companies from India, Malaysia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and across North America, as well as industry leaders such as Pioneer-DuPont, Dow AgroSciences, Kaneka Nestle, Monsanto, Sigma Aldrich, Solae BASF, Bunge North America and Novus International. Investors in attendance included TPG Capital, US Venture Partners, CMEA Capital, MidPoint Food and Ag Fund, Finistere Ventures, Nexus Venture Partners and Syngenta Ventures.

Video Highlights
Click links to view video

Research+Resources+Relationships
BRDG Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center helps emerging companies transition innovative ideas into tangible commercial businesses.

Venture Capitalists See Opportunity in St. Louis
The importance of funding new agribusiness in the current financial climate.

Ag Innovation at the Center of Plant Sciences
Now is a golden market opportunity for entrepreneurs and early stage companies to build value.

Setting and Location Offer Strategic Advantages

Jointly created by the Bio-Research and Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center and Nidus, the Ag Innovation Showcase is held annually in St. Louis, Missouri, the national and international center for plant and life science research and heartland of American agriculture. The Larta Institute and Missouri Technology Corporation also serve on the event advisory committee. More information is available at www.agshowcase.com.

The location and setting provide numerous strategic advantages:

The Ag Innovation Showcase utilizes the outstanding facilities of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, the world’s largest independent plant science research institute.
Also located on the Danforth Center campus is BRDG Park, a premier research park for plant and life science companies. Opened in June 2009, it provides the Research+Resources+Relationships necessary to help emerging companies transition innovative ideas into tangible commercial businesses.
The St. Louis region has a robust research environment with the world’s largest concentration of plant science Ph.D.s. and more than 400 plant and medical science enterprises.
The St. Louis County location is close to the world headquarters of Monsanto, as well as other prominent biotech and life science corporations, dynamic scientific research centers such as Washington University St. Louis University, Missouri Botanical Garden and the on-site Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels.

Participants Praised the Event

“This was the best conference I have ever attended. The format was laser focused and the attendees were all serious about the space. The staff did a fantastic job of connecting people and companies.” – Kirk Haney, President and CEO, SG Biofuels, Encinitas, CA

“The presentations are excellent in the sense that we get to know the latest developments and agendas of the various companies in agriculture biotechnology.” – Dr. Wan Abdul Rahaman Wan Yaacob, Chief Operating Officer, Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

“I think any investor considering making investments in this area should seriously consider coming to this conference because it does seem to bring together the network of investors that make investments in this space.” – Derek Norman, Investment Manager, Syngenta Ventures, Washington, DC

“Participating in the Ag Showcase was a very good experience for our company, Aova Technologies. We are in the process of raising funds to upscale production capacity and we were able to meet with three potential strategic investors with which we will be in contact over the next several weeks. The event was well organized and the value was outstanding.” – Jesús M. Martinez, CEO, Aova Technologies, Inc., Madison, WI

“There are some companies here that I’ve known about and even where I’ve spoken to representatives of these companies by phone, and this is really my first chance to have a face-to-face meeting.” – Miguel Oliveira, Director, Global Innovation, Bunge Limited, St. Louis, MO

“This is a very important gathering of experts from all over this country and around the world...it allows them a chance to present their ideas and technologies to some of the best people in this country in terms of ag investment.” – Charles F. Cleland, USDA National Program Leader, USDA/NIFA, Washington, DC

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For additional information and photos, please visit www.agshowcase.com.