Join us for the Agri-Food Innovation Summit, where agriculture innovators can connect with potential research partners, successful entrepreneurs, and private and government funders. Arkansans who are actively commercializing ag products and solutions, or who may be considering doing so, are encouraged to participate.
The morning will focus on U.S. Department of Agriculture SBIR/STTR seed funding. USDA program officers will be on-hand to present opportunities for non-dilutive funding to support development of novel ag-tech solutions. The USDA program officers will be available for 1:1 meetings to discuss individual research projects, by appointment.
Attendees will also learn from Arkansas-based USDA seed fund grant awardees who went from lab to launch and are running successful startups.
The afternoon will explore what it takes to establish a grant-writing culture, and tips and lessons for writing competitive applications. In addition, panel discussions will feature thought leaders on the topics of bioeconomy and agricultural trends in Arkansas and representatives from regional private investment firms seeking to support innovation in agriculture.
Student posters in innovation will be on display and available to visit throughout the day.
The event wraps up with a hosted tour of the nearby Arkansas Food Innovation Center and the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food.
Event highlights include:
- Overview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SBIR/STTR early-stage funding opportunities
- Opportunity for 1:1 meeting with a USDA SBIR/STTR program officer to discuss your research (by appointment)
- “Agricultural Innovation for the 22nd Century” panel discussion featuring experts in the fields of ag economics, computer engineering, biosystems engineering, food science, and entomology
- “Unique Funding Mechanisms for Agricultural Innovation” panel
- Networking time to connect with other attendees, panelists, and speakers
- Tour of the Arkansas Food Innovation Center and the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food
- Student research posters in innovation
No cost to participate. Registration required.
Presented by ASBTDC in partnership with the University of Arkansas Division of Economic Development, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, and Catalyst/Research and Technology Transfer at Arkansas State University.