As the new year gets underway, we’ve been thinking about the likely ups and downs ahead for the agtech world. We’ve been searching for insights in the recent announcement that FMC’s corporate venture capital division is shutting its doors, and thinking about what a trend in CVC pullbacks might mean for the lay of the land in agtech. We’ve also been taking time to think about the agtech companies that currently stand out in today’s tough market conditions, and what it is that sets them apart from the pack. 

Today, Sarah sits down with Tenacious Ventures' Matthew Pryor and Shane Thomas, author of Upstream Ag Insights, to discuss the news and give our two cents on:

• The unique macro and micro conditions that are currently contributing to the pullback in corporate venture capital investment in ag, and what these same conditions might mean for startups who are fundraising
• The incentives at play in the corporate venture capital space, and how we might expect acquisition and R&D decisions to shift in the year to come
• Which five agtech companies we find the most interesting today, and what they’re doing differently from the competition

Useful Links:

• Breaking: FMC Corporation restructures agtech VC arm FMC Ventures ‘to optimize operations’
• FMC buys BioPhero (Danish startup producing pheromone-based biocontrols)
• More on Innovation at FMC
• Shane’s recent issue on FMC Restructuring the VC Arm
• Shane’s picks for standout startups: AgVend and Meristem Crop Performance
• Matthew’s pick: OptiWeigh
• Sarah’s picks: Kilimo and GoTerra
• The Wide Lens by Ron Adner

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If you like this experimental format - or don’t - let us know! 

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The information in this post is not investment advice or a recommendation to invest. It is general information only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should read the information memorandum and seek financial advice from a professional financial adviser. Whilst we believe Information is correct, no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness.

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