First Flight Venture Center’s Post

📢 Listen up, AgriFoodTech Startups - AgStart and Bayer CropScience launched the #LifeHubCalifornia Golden Ticket Competition! 🌱   𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆? 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 - 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗯 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀! 🌟   What you probably want to know: 📅 Application is open from now until April 30th, 2024 🏆 There is no competition without a prize: Fully-paid access to premier lab space, equipment, mentorship from Bayer experts and facilities at LifeHub California @AgStart facility for 12 months 🌍 Open to Startups Worldwide: From pre-seed to Series A   Phil Taylor, Sudhee Lakshmana and Lucy Lu Roberts agree: supporting startup innovators is super exciting, there are huge benefits for startups in lowering costs and achieving milestones, and Northern California's ecosystem for entrepreneurship is thriving like never before. 🚀 Together, we can drive innovation in our global food system, one #startup at a time. Don’t miss out on this opportunity and apply here! 👉 https://lnkd.in/eCk-_Mxc Find more information about the program and our partnership with AgStart here: https://lnkd.in/ghJ4n7PY   #AgriFoodTech #Innovation #AgStart

Learn how to stand out to mission-aligned investors with Vevolution 💰 Are you working to remove animals from the supply chain? Add your investment round to Vevolution, and start matching with mission-aligned angel investors and leading VC funds from around the globe! 🌎 🧐 In this resource article we explain how to best utilize our unique investment platform: - Complete your startup profile - Invite your team - Perfect your pitch deck - Fill up your data room - Send stakeholder updates - Keep your round up to date - And more 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ef95p9N3 Checking everything on this list will help you stand out to our investor members even more. The Vevolution investment platform has fueled funding into game-changing startups from around the world. Plant-based, precision fermentation, cellular agriculture, and next-gen materials companies have received investment from our platform to continue building a better future. --------- Vevolution connects foodtech, cultivated, biotech, and next-gen material companies with impact investors through our unique and easy-to-use technology. We're fintech with heart. Join as a startup: https://lnkd.in/eu7P9dBE Join as an investor: https://lnkd.in/eF-9CWEw #veganstartups #impactinvesting #fintech #fundraising #resource #impactinvestors

What is the future of #AgTech? Had the pleasure to meet the AgTech startups at RootCamp - A SpinLab Company’s DemoDay in Hanover today! Though the problems seem gigantic (9.8M people to feed by 2050, ingesting 5 grams of microplastic per week, lacking 5M tons of fish in the ocean by 2040, the list goes on unfortunately), I am really grateful for venturing and innovative founders who give us some hope that we can also fix things! Here are my 3 takeaways: 1.💡Microplastic is used for the coating of agricultural seeds!? It shall be banned by 2028 in the EU. That is quite a long way for startups that exist since 2019 but glad to hear that Prateek M. from BIOWEG has a bio-based solution that companies are already using today! (The chemical industry, too!) 💪🙏 2. 🕴️The future of innovation is in corporate startups! During the panel discussion Dr. Alexander M. Wiegelmann from KWS Group shared how challenging it can be for a corporate, that deals with millions of volume, to work with a tiny supplier-type startup that cannot handle big volumes. But there are also quick wins when e.g. process improvements are on offer such as digital farms. 3. 🏫 Jakob Lilienweiss from HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds explained that for early stage investment in startups, that need a long runway to e.g acquire licenses or other approvals, universities and grants are a good way to get started. The founders Sruthi Sreekumar and Carolin Richter from GreEnCap were a great example for a university spinoff that developed a bio-based spray with which we can protect our strawberries and other plants from fungus so that we dont hv to eat all those chemicals on them. 🍓😋 🙏 Many thanks Dr. Philipp Rittershaus and Gaia Amatteis for the insights! Also thanks to Artenglück, seedalive GmbH Grassa | Unlocking The Full Potential Of Grass, Aquanzo and Poás Bioenergy for walking the talk and sharing your innovative solutions! 🚀 #GreenTech #impact #startups #innovation

Great points and valid criticisms, Pam Marrone. Three additional points, my take - - Traction with customers for biopesticide companies mean that they've gotten through EPA regulatory approval. From the time of founding, that's no less than four years, could easily be 5 - 6. - There seems to be a disconnect between the market needs that growers can point to (many), the market size of success (most are modest) and the VC outcome (not big enough to move their needle). - Platform companies are unlikely to find licensors for new products without significant investment to prove out the first couple of products in field trials. I don't see obvious solutions here - but these seem to be important problems for the VC/startup dynamic in the ag biologicals space. #biologicals #biofungicides #biopesticides Western Growers #agriculture #agricultureinnovation

Not surprisingly, Pam Marrone nails it here with her perspective on the ag biologicals sector #biologicals #biostimulants #biopesticides. When the sector really started to take off (circa 2011 - 2012), there was a robust wave of acquisitions and significant numbers of venture-backed new entrants. Since then, the number of companies entering with novel (but often solo) technologies seems to have grown exponentially; and the level and quality of competition - for share of grower mindset (never mind share of wallet) and access to distribution - is simply staggering. In my view, consolidation is an inevitability; and as agtech venture capital markets refocus after the dreadful stretch in 2023, it seems to me only a matter of time until the market defines where the quality is in a hotbed of M&A activity.

📣 Last call to apply for Vevolution Pitch & Plant 2023 🌱 Are you building the future of plant-based, food tech, cellular agriculture, or next-gen materials? The final and biggest Vevolution Pitch Event of the year is scheduled for December 7, 2023! Complete your application by the deadline of November 20. How to qualify in 2 easy steps: 1. Upload your investment round to Vevolution: https://lnkd.in/ew6DdKTF 2. Fill out the application form: https://lnkd.in/eCQ8VPRj 👨🏾💼👩💼 Founders that pitched at Vevolution pitch events before include: Frankie Fox - FoodSquared Christopher Kong - Better Nature Tempeh Sònia Hurtado - POSEIDONA Harsh Sethia - Updairy and many more... We are very excited about the investor panel for Pitch & Plant 2023: Uwe Richter of REWE Group Ricardo Brás of Sonae SparkFood Heather Courtney of Alwyn Capital Lykke Westgren (Abdon) of Nicoya Capital REWE Group, SparkFood, Alwyn Capital, and Nicoya Capital all share the common goal of investing into a more innovative food system. Our Pitch & Plant 2023 jury invests in companies focused on alternative proteins, food as medicine, sustainable value chain, biotech solutions, and next-gen materials. Portfolio companies of our jury include: Bluu Seafood, Evra, Bon Vivant, Foodiq, Oatlaws, New School Foods, Geltor, and others. ----- Startups can add their round to Vevolution in under 10 minutes. We will reach out to you if you have been selected to pitch. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to every application. #pitchevent #startups #impactinvesting #investors #impactinvestors #cultivated #biotech

I have a bit of a different point of view. There have been some excellent high valuation exits on the M&A side in #biologicals #biostimulants #biopesticides in the last two years. I know of a number of large companies still on the hunt to buy quality companies even if they are a bit early, but those that have shown traction with customers, hence are more de-risked in the market, are the ones getting attention. So the good exits for VCs are there in biologicals. Larger companies pay more, the more the company/technology is de-risked. The companies that have not done well did not figure out what they wanted to be - platform or product OR their products are just incremental in a crowded space w without enough market traction (e.g. biofungicides). If the purpose of a platform is to develop products, then the company needs to move quickly from being a science project to a commercial enterprise. If the company is truly a science platform, then can they show they can spin out one after another unique product candidate, licensing each to partners. What I have seen in biologicals are new entrants claiming to have a better mousetrap, but not fully understanding the landscape and the successful companies who have come before them and in the market already. I hear new biological companies touting, "I have better microbes." Or "I can produce higher quality microbes." Really? Better than whom? Certis Biologicals Biobest GroupKoppert Pro Farm Group Bayer | Crop Science Novozymes?? What I see is alot of falling in love with their technology but only incremental improvements over the existing products. And unfortunately alot of investor money has gone to companies of this sort. That said, the pace of #innovation in #agtech is breathtaking as is the number of new #startups (just look at the startup arena at World Agri-Tech). So it is still a very exciting time. To the startups: what is your true competitive advantage over all the others? What is the added value you bring to your customers over all others? How will you scale? Talk to growers and they give you a laundry list of all the pest and disease problems they have despite using alot of #pesticides. If you are a startup, you can get more traction focusing on these true unmet market needs.

AgTech startups looking for investments don't miss this great opportunity to showcase your idea to AgSharks and get, the worst case scenario, some candid feedback and, the best case scenario, some serious investors! #agtech #digitalfarming #statups #venturecapital

🎑 #BioBoosters accelerator is actively building the meeting places and direct contacts for #agritech and #bioeconomy startups to the investors active in this business area: We are working closely with several investors who are seeking for investment opportunities in the #datadriven solutions for tackling the #sustainability challenges and improving the environmental and economical sustainability in #agrifood and #bioeconomy business. 💖 Very happy to introduce PINC, https://lnkd.in/gUEDYxf5, the venture arm of the food company Paulig: a corporate venture capital unit that invests in early stage start-ups in and around the future of food. PINC is one of the international investors active in the #agrifood scene that BioBoosters accelerator is collaborating with in order to match the interesting startup companies and potential investors with each other 🤝 🎯 “As a Nordic corporate venture capital investor in the agrifood space, collaborating with accelerators is crucial for tapping into local innovative ecosystems and identifying promising startups. BioBoosters' focus on the Bioeconomy and Smart Agriculture is well-aligned with our ambition to contribute to a tastier, healthier and more sustainable planet “ says Erika Hombert, Senior Investment Manager at PINC. PINC is looking for start-ups with a high degree of innovation in three main impact areas: 🌿 Improve planetary health and diet within current food system 🌿 Invent novel technologies (such as precision fermentation, cell culture, molecular farming) to feed 10 BN people by 2050 🌿 Create a circular system for food & material 🎨 Really looking forward to work together with the fabulous PINC team in matching startups with these investment priorities! 👉 Call for the BioBoosters accelerator is NOW open, check out and submit your application: https://lnkd.in/gHJfWMvK   🎡 Looking forward to hear from you! 🎡   #bioboosters #bioeconomy #agritech #agrifoodtech #agtech #sustainablefood #smartfarming #datadrivenagriculture #precisionagriculture #sustainability #startup #scaleup #innovation #accelerator #hackathon #fromideatobusiness Liinamaaria Hakola Hanna Lampinen-Vilkkilä Minna Lappalainen Hannu Haapala Petri Lakka Matti Härkönen JAMK University of Applied Sciences Jamk biotalous | bioeconomy

LETTERS TO AGRITECH FOUNDERS(45) Dear Agritech Founders, As we step into 2024, it's crucial to align your endeavours with the evolving landscape of opportunities and expectations. The coming year will witness a growing emphasis on startups that address pressing global environmental and societal challenges. To position your agritech venture successfully, consider focusing on solutions that not only tackle industry-specific issues but also contribute to broader global problems. Investors are increasingly drawn to startups that demonstrate commercially viable and scalable solutions to challenges such as robotics in healthcare or innovative approaches to food supply. Ensure your startup is impact-driven and purpose-led. Highlighting your commitment to making a positive difference will not only resonate with the broader audience but also attract the attention of discerning investors who are actively seeking ventures that contribute to meaningful change. Additionally, leverage the expanding role of universities in supporting startups. Establishing collaborations or seeking access to talent, research, and resources from institutions deeply entrenched in the entrepreneurial ecosystem can significantly enhance your startup's capabilities. In this dynamic landscape, innovation coupled with a commitment to societal and environmental impact will be the key differentiator. Embrace these trends, and I'm confident your agritech venture will thrive in the year ahead. Wishing you continued success and innovation in 2024. Best regards, Kenneth Obayuwana If you like this kind of content Follow me Kenneth Obayuwana as I keep sharing valuable content and opportunities that can help your Agritech company grow and don't forget to share/repost for more Agritech Founders to see this. Together, let's advance agritech innovation and make a lasting impact on the future of farming. #lettertoagritechfounders