I recently attended the Animal Ag Tech conference in San Francisco and the NIAA conference in Kansas City. Both conferences offered attendees an opportunity to convene and discuss what is needed to advance innovations onto the farm. There was consensus that driving more investments, and thus innovations, into animal agriculture would take several strategic approaches.
My key takeaways from these conversations are insightful for shifting this needle:
Educate Investors: Many investors may not fully understand the potential of animal agriculture technology or the challenges facing the industry. Hosting seminars, webinars, or forums that highlight the opportunities in this sector can help educate investors and attract their interest.
Demonstrate ROI: Showcasing successful case studies and demonstrating the return on investment (ROI) of animal ag tech startups can attract more investors. Highlight how these technologies can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase profitability for farmers and thus benefit investors.
Collaborate with Research Institutions: Partnering with universities and research institutions can help develop and validate new technologies. Investors may be more inclined to invest in startups that have strong partnerships with reputable academic institutions.
Highlight Market Potential: Provide market research and analysis to demonstrate the potential size and growth of the animal agriculture technology market. Investors are more likely to invest in sectors with substantial market opportunities.
Build Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with established companies in the agriculture industry to gain access to their networks, resources, and expertise. Strategic partnerships can help startups accelerate growth and attract investment.
Focus on Scalability: Investors are often interested in startups with scalable business models that have the potential for rapid growth. Highlight how your animal ag tech startup can scale operations to capture larger market share.
Investor Networking: Attend industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to connect with potential investors. Building relationships with investors and staying connected with industry trends can help attract investment.
By implementing these strategies, you can attract more investment into animal agriculture technology and support the growth and development of innovative solutions in the industry and on the farm.