Mark Olson’s Post

Please join Flokk Systems Inc. this July 29 in Olds, Alberta, for the inaugural DiscoveryLab@AgSmart, an AgTech commercialization event being held in conjunction with the AgSmart educational expo. Successfully commercializing AgTech requires: - a viable market, driven by a pressing customer need - a start up with the team, concept, and execution capacity to address that market - capital to build the solution and company DiscoveryLab@AgSmart, a partnership of DiscoveryLabs, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, AgSmart, Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network, and FCC / FAC, brings all the stakeholders together to address all three of these requirements. The DiscoveryLab@AgSmart team has assembled: - DiscoveryLab's proven, efficient, and effective process for driving innovation commercialization. - An opportunity for market validation and customer engagement through AgSmart's Initiator and Exhibitor Programs. - Immediate access to the advisory, demonstration, and validation (Smart Farm, Technology Access for Livestock Production) capacities of Olds College. - Participation of the relevant Innovation Institutions, Communities, and Educators. DiscoveryLab@AgSmart offers a time and cost efficient opportunity for AgTech investors to: - discover investment opportunities - secure independent and informed company evaluations - observe real-time market validation with actual customers DiscoveryLab@AgSmart is the must attend event for AgTech investors. Registration for the day is $49.00, includes lunch and a reception, and can be completed at https://discoverylab.ca.

Agtech Funding Down, But Plant Biotech is a Bright Spot! Securing funding is never easy for startups, and PitchBook's new Q1'24 Agtech investment data shows it's especially challenging right now. But here at BetterSeeds, a plant genetics company, we're staying optimistic! While overall Agtech deals are down, investment in plant biotech is actually on the rise. This is crucial news as climate change disrupts agriculture. We need more innovation in this space to ensure food security. Here's to a strong comeback for Agtech investments! #agtech #plantbiotech #climatechange #investing #futureoffood #CRISPR #GENEEDITING https://lnkd.in/dB2Sk3nt

🌱 Biotech startups are transforming healthcare, agriculture, and beyond—and they’re not doing it alone! These big players are backing ideas that might just change the world. 🌍💡 🚀 Which company’s initiative excites you the most? Comment below! 👇

California based Ferment launches a $20 million Venture Studio #Ferment, a Santa Monica-based #venture studio transforming biology into impactful products, has announced the launch of its $20 million Studio #VC Fund. With this fund, Ferment aims to accelerate the creation of bio-enabled companies that address critical challenges in industries like energy, agriculture, materials, and health. The studio has already made significant strides, founding seven companies since its inception in 2021, with its latest investment being $2.5 million in Alchemyca Biotech, which uses enzymes, sensors, and AI to convert organic waste into renewable natural gas. The studio is led by seasoned partners with extensive expertise in biology-driven innovation: Jason Kakoyiannis, formerly of Ginkgo Bioworks and Givaudan; Brian Brazeau, with experience at DSM and Cargill; and Jess Leber, who has contributed to projects at Joule and Ginkgo Bioworks. Ferment’s innovative model focuses on building companies that integrate cutting-edge bioplatforms with strategic industry partnerships to deliver sustainable, high-performance solutions. The $20 million Studio Fund is backed by GS Group, a South Korean conglomerate known for its global presence in refining, petrochemicals, and energy. This partnership underscores the studio's commitment to creating products that solve industry-specific challenges and drive innovation across mature markets. The article on #VCwiretech in the first comment.

🌱 Biotech startups are transforming healthcare, agriculture, and beyond—and they’re not doing it alone! These big players are backing ideas that might just change the world. 🌍💡 🚀 Which company’s initiative excites you the most? Comment below! 👇

🧬 TraitSeq secured pre-seed funding to accelerate the development of AI-based platform that predicts complex crop traits The UK-based agri-biotech company’s platform uses machine learning and RNA-Seq data to predict phenotypic traits. It helps agri-biotechs make data-driven decisions about gene-environment and treatment-environment interactions. The funding will enhance their technology development team, boost commercial capacity, and increase the number of pilot projects, with commercial testing expected in 2025. TraitSeq aims to strengthen its commercial offerings and customer relationships, building on existing revenue and grant funding. Joshua Colmer ✉️ Hungry for weekly updates on biotech shaping the future of food? Devour the free subscription: betterbioeconomy.com

Cultivator powered by Conexus’s AGTECH ACCELERATOR: Recruitment Opens for Cohort 4 Cultivator, powered by Conexus, has opened recruitment for Cohort 4 of the AGTECH ACCELERATOR, a program designed to advance agricultural technology by connecting innovators with farmers and investors. This year’s finale will be held at Ag in Motion, a premier agricultural event that draws thousands of participants annually. Laura Mock, Director of Cultivator, emphasized the program’s value in helping startups navigate the complexities of scaling agtech businesses. This year’s cohort will culminate at Ag in Motion, providing unmatched exposure to the agtech ecosystem. The event, held in Saskatchewan from July 14–17, 2025, is expected to host over 30,000 attendees and 550 exhibitors from around the world. Read the entire article here -> https://lnkd.in/ejPWX73K 🌟 Follow us for daily AgTech updates 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly insights: agtechdigest.com

🚀 Announcing the Launch of The AgTech Advisory Collective 🌱 We are thrilled to introduce The AgTech Advisory Collective—a global network of independent agtech consultants joining forces to ACCELERATING AGTECH INNOVATION TOGETHER WITH PRECISION, INSIGHTS AND GLOBAL REACH! The Collective unites a global network of independent experts in agricultural technology to drive impactful change in modern farming. With extensive industry knowledge and an international presence, we support agtech companies globally from launch to scale, providing local knowledge, strategic insights, technical guidance, and connections in key markets. Our mission is to build lasting partnerships that empower innovation, increase efficiency, and foster a sustainable agrifood system—benefiting farmers, consumers, and the planet. What We Offer 🌍 Regional ag-expertise and networks from across the globe. 💡 Strategic and Hands-on support in areas like product validation, go-to-market strategy, international expansion, and commercialization. 🤝 A collaborative approach to deliver the best outcomes for clients. 📈 Scalable services tailored to the needs of early-stage startups, scaleups, or established companies. The Collective is founded by Allan Fetters, Alejo Valverde Lyons, Maxence Guillaumot, Michael Macolino, Patrick Honcoop and Rhishi P. and supported by our strategic partners Shane Thomas, Dan Schultz and Blake Croegaert. 💬 Have a look at our Collective Website, or Feel free to reach out to one of our members— We are excited to explore how we can collaborate! AGceleration Advisory Service, AVL Advisor & Coach, AgTech Market, AgTech-Pro, Recode Ventures, Upstream Ag Insights, Schultz Collaborative, Verdant Partners LLC #AgTech #AgriTech #Agriculture #FutureofAgriculture #Agrifood #Collective #Collaboration #SmartFarming #DigitalFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture

My view on the future of AgTech: Mark S. Brooks nails it: The funding models that built Silicon Valley aren’t equipped to fuel the next agricultural revolution The transition from AgTech 1.0 (The “Caloricene”) to AgTech 2.0 (The “Holoagricene”) demands more than innovation—it requires a profound shift in how we value agtech. This isn’t about quick exits or high valuations. It’s about understanding the true value AgTech delivers: resilient food systems, enhanced planetary health, and sustainable practices. Capital must be more than fast—it must be patient, intentional, and deeply attuned to the complex ecosystems it seeks to support. AgTech serves a higher purpose than profit alone. It feeds and heals. At Soil Insights, we believe this shift isn’t optional—it’s essential. The question isn’t whether agriculture will evolve; it’s whether investors can embrace patience and purpose over speed and short-term gains. Because in the end, agriculture’s success is humanity’s survival. 1. What’s your take? 2. Have you ever wondered where the "Google" or "Amazon" eqquivalent AgTech business is? 3. Can capital evolve to match the deeper values of AgTech? Let’s start a conversation. #Agtech #Sustainability #Innovation #SoilInsights #FutureOfAgriculture https://lnkd.in/gr6wjqmP

𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Futuristic tech’s use in agriculture “is no longer limited to science experiments,” says Aaron Rudberg, senior managing director and chief operating officer of S2G Ventures, one of the largest VC funds focused on food, energy, and agriculture. In recent months, he says he’s watched several agtech firms “move from the lab to generating seven-figure top-line revenue.” Why has Agriculture become so appealing to tech startups? Rudberg says that the problems that farmers face are, in a lot of cases, simple ones where technology plays a clear, key role. “Tech companies out there struggle because they try to sell the whiz-bang, latest, greatest technology,” he explains, “but it doesn’t solve real everyday problems.” Source: https://lnkd.in/d3JHHPP3 #agriculture #energy #tech #innovation #future