SVG Ventures | THRIVE, an agrifood venture and innovation platform in Silicon Valley, is partnering with Bayer to launch the THRIVE | Bayer Sustainability Challenge. The challenge will identify and accelerate emerging technology solutions that will help transform global agriculture to feed the world’s growing population in a more sustainable way.
“The next decade of agriculture is already being shaped by sustainable technologies and open collaboration is key to a sustainable future for agriculture,” said Allen Christian, Head of Open Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at the Crop Science Division of Bayer. “With initiatives like this Challenge, we’re engaging the broader innovation ecosystem to identify and develop the tools farmers need to run successful and sustainable operations.”
Agtech and foodtech startups and scaleups whose solutions embody the combination of the Bayer sustainability commitments and THRIVE’s Global Initiative focus on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals are invited to apply. Through this challenge, Bayer and THRIVE are seeking to identify and support the development of sustainable technologies that help reduce the environmental impact of crop protection, reduce field greenhouse gas emissions, and improve smallholder farmer access to agronomic knowledge, products, and services.
“Our aim is to help farmers be more productive and lower their environmental footprint, which requires next-level collaboration across many sectors,” said Sara Boettiger, Head of Global Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability at the Crop Science Division of Bayer. “By working with organizations like THRIVE to identify innovative ideas and partners, we’ll be able to bring farmers more solutions that add value to their businesses while also contributing to a more sustainable future for agriculture.”
In addition to investment, the startup winner will receive an invitation to participate in THRIVE’s award-winning accelerator program, access to the Leaps by Bayer impact investment team and open innovation resources, expert mentorship, and extensive media spotlight and exposure through THRIVE and Bayer channels. The scaleup winner will have the opportunity to execute a proof-of-concept pilot with Bayer, access the Leaps by Bayer impact investment team and open innovation resources, and receive automatic nomination for THRIVE’s annual TOP 50 listing.
“The solution to the farming challenge and feeding the world in a sustainable way will be driven by innovation and entrepreneurship around the world. The THRIVE | Bayer Challenge is focused on identifying and accelerating these solutions into the field,” said John Hartnett, Founder & CEO SVG Ventures | THRIVE. “We’re delighted to be partnering with a progressive leader like Bayer to help advance a sustainable future for farming.”
Interested applicants can learn more and fill out an application on the THRIVE | Bayer Sustainability Challenge webpage. Application deadline is June 11, 2021.
