Agriculture Innovation Showcase opens in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, MO (ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO) - An event starting today at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is looking to match up investors with emerging agricultural technology companies from across the globe.

The third annual Ag Innovation Showcase will draw international venture capitalists and corporate agricultural investors like Monsanto and Dupont.

Showcase organizer Mark Gorski says sixteen agricultural start-ups will be vying for their attention.

"We’re really trying to foster innovation and the funding of innovation through this conference by providing a stage for these high quality young companies to these potential investors," Gorski said. "They’re presenting their business plans, and we hope that deals and investments will result from the conference."

The young companies will present business plans for producing everything from genetically modified biofuels to high tech agricultural sensors.

"It’s all about feeding the world more effectively and utilizing renewable sources of energy, versus the fossil fuels types of energy we currently utilize primarily," Gorski said.

Gorski says the event will bring together sixteen emerging agricultural technology companies and potential investors – from venture capital firms to corporate giants like Monsanto and Syngenta.

Véronique LaCapra, St. Louis Public Radio

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