November 2, 2015
Pinnacle Agtech Event Draws Capacity Crowd

On September 14 - 16, the seventh annual Ag Innovation Showcase filled the Danforth Center to capacity. More than 350 guests from 21 different countries attended the three-day event.

Three St. Louis companies specializing in biological solutions and renewables were selected to make their pitch - Forrest Innovations Ltd., Apse and GlucanBio. In addition, four women-owned startups were spotlighted - Mango Materials, WholeTrees Architecture & Structures, Stony Creek Colors and Micronic Technologies. Special congratulations goes to Amelia Swan Baxter, president and CEO of WholeTrees, who was chosen to receive the "Best in Show" award.

"Few forums exist where tech companies can rub elbows with investors and strategists and find both business partners and investors," said Ag Showcase advisory committee member and closing keynote speaker Jim Budzynski, founder and managing principal, MacroGain Partners. 

Read the full story HERE and stay in touch with this year's speakers, presenting companies and sponsors through this social media directory. Be sure to plant September 12 - 14 on your calendar for the 2016 Showcase in St. Louis.

St. Louis, a Hot Spot for International Startup Companies

STLVentureWorks recently announced they have been awarded the Soft Landings designation from InBIA to support international startups moving to St. Louis. InBIA is an international non-profit organization and global advocate for the support of building entrepreneurial-driven economic ecosystems.

"Attracting international companies to the region is an important component to our strategy to grow our innovation ecosystem and goes hand-in-hand with promoting local entrepreneurship," said Sam Fiorello, president, BRDG Park and COO at the Danforth Center. "Our entire community benefits when innovators from other parts of the world choose the Saint Louis region to build and grow their businesses. I believe that the Helix Center's International Soft Landing designation will tell innovators worldwide that our region is open for business." Read more HERE

Fostering the Growth of the Plant Science Ecosystem in St. Louis

Last month, BRDG Park hosted a special program to discuss strategies, opportunities and challenges involved in advancing the growth of the innovation ecosystem in St. Louis.

Jason Hall, vice president entrepreneurship & innovation, St. Louis Regional Chamber moderated the panel which included Bijal Desai-Ramirez, operations and business lead, Filament, Chris Danforth, managing director, The Yield Lab and John McKearn, Ph.D., managing director, RiverVest.

"This ecosystem is firing on all cylinders," said Hall in his opening remarks about the St. Louis region. "Through research and innovation we can solve some of the largest global problems."

The Yield Lab agrees - "We thought we had a great resource with the Danforth Center and BRDG Park in the Midwest and specifically in St. Louis when choosing to locate here," said Danforth.

Read the full story HERE.
In The News

SyMyco
St. Louis Business Journal
SyMyco to expand footprint at BRDG Park. MORE.

Evogene
Area Development
Evogene's expansion to the U.S is expected to bring more jobs to St. Louis. MORE.

BRDG Park

St. Louis Public Radio
Senator Claire McCaskill begins agriculture tour at Danforth Center and BRDG Park. MORE.

NewLeaf Symbiotics

TechCrunch
NewLeaf Symbiotics is an innovative company leading the state of agtech today. 
MORE.


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