LOS GATOS, CA - Developing a start-up must require a ton of courage. Creators judge whether their passion for agriculture outweighs the need for their services or vice versa. That’s why SVG Ventures and Produce Marketing Association (PMA) believe in giving opportunities to these courageous industry purveyors. The two recently announced that they will join forces in a three-year strategic partnership to do just that.
“The innovations that are made possible by this partnership will be critical next steps to addressing the big questions of how we will feed our growing world,” said Vonnie Estes, Vice President of Technology at PMA. “Our industry will be central to implementing these solutions, and I’m thrilled that with this partnership with SVG Ventures, we are key to finding and developing those solutions as well.”
Focusing on AgriFood and AgTech, SVG Ventures will host panels at the upcoming PMA Fresh Summit Convention & Expo. The two organizations will also launch their THRIVE Fresh Summit Challenge live-pitch competition at the conference, according to a press release.
“Both SVG Ventures and PMA have been working closely with experts from Driscoll’s, Taylor Farms, and Sun World Innovations to deeply understand the specific industry challenges,” added John Hartnett, Founder/CEO SVG Ventures +THRIVE Agrifood. “This pitch competition serves as an opportunity to fast-track entrepreneurs who drive us toward a more efficient, sustainable, and secure agricultural future.”
The competition invites start-ups to present their technological creations in the produce and floral industries for a chance to earn a $100K investment. $50K of this can be attributed to joining the THRIVE VI Accelerator Program, which gives the recipient a chance to present at the Forbes AgTech Summit Salinas with the possibility of an additional $100K investment prize. Moreover, the winner will be featured as part of the PMA Center at the expo, gaining visibility and access to other relevant partners and investors.
Applications are now open to start-ups around the world with concepts focused on sustainability, digital solutions, food waste reduction, or food safety solutions, but will close submissions on the THRIVE website September 10th. Four applicants will be selected to participate in the live-pitch challenge scheduled October 17-19th. As if the cornucopia of awards isn’t enticing enough, the competition will be judged by a panel including Shark Tank powerhouse Robert Herjavec, based on the finalists’ ability to present clear business strategies and communicate their respective innovations.
The winner will be announced at the Fresh Summit Convention & Expo. ANUK wishes the best of luck to start-ups selected to participate in this opportunistic competition. Check back with us to find out who triumphs!
