07.08.2019, 17:10
Supporting Food Innovation
Ecolab and Cargill are accelerating innovation within the food industry by supporting a second class of startups through the Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator for a second year.
The accelerator, which is located in Ecolab’s global headquarters building at St. Paul, Minnesota, engages early stage entrepreneurs as well as late stage startups focused on advancing key aspects of the food system, including food security and safety, ag tech, consumer goods and supply chain management. Startups receive mentor support from Cargill and Ecolab executives, and access to the companies’ market expertise, global connections and investment capital.
Techstars’ network of successful entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and other partners also work hand-in-hand with the selected startups throughout the accelerator.
Discussing the class, Ecolab marketing vice president and Techstars program lead, Katie Peterson, said:
“While we’re here to mentor these startups, we’re also learning from their approach to problem-solving and are excited to help bring their energy to the Twin Cities startup community.
“Their passion and innovation, combined with the global scale and reach of Ecolab and Cargill, can help solve the challenges of safely feeding the world’s population.”
Cargill CIO, Justin Kershaw, added:
“Solving the greatest food and sustainability challenges the world faces today requires partnership and fresh, innovative ideas. These are the two key ingredients of the Techstars Farm to Fork program.
“Having the brightest minds in food and ag tech in Cargill and Ecolab’s backyards provides an amazing opportunity to infuse startup energy into our company, while also helping bring critical solutions to scale. It’s truly a win-win.”
11 companies have been chosen to participate in this year’s Farm to Fork class:
• Contain, Reno, Nev.
• ConverSight, Indianapolis, Ind.
• EcoPlant, Tel Aviv, Israel
• Food for All, Boston, Mass. / New York City, N.Y.
• ImagoAI, Gurgaon, India
• Magic AI, Seattle, Wash.
• Otrafy, Melbourne, Australia / Vancouver, Canada
• Phood, Boston, Mass.
• PurPics, Austin, Texas
• Trackter, Atlanta, Ga.
• Transparent Kitchen, Ottawa, Canada
