Global AgriFood Innovators Converge on St. Louis Pitching New Tech to Transform the Food System

‘Dolphin Tank’ Pitches, Global Speakers, and Networking on Tap at Annual Event for AgriFood Entrepreneurs and Investors in Regenerative Technology for Agriculture and Food

St. Louis, MO –Feb. 2, 2026— The St. Louis area’s vibrant bio-innovation ecosystem will once again attract entrepreneurs, investors, farmers, and other agrifood visionaries from around the globe Feb. 3-5 at the BioSTL Global AgriFood Innovation Summit. The multi- day Summit includes a public convening on Wednesday, Feb. 4, alongside invite-only programming on Tuesday and Thursday designed to foster deeper collaboration; members of the media are welcome to attend all days with advance coordination. The annual event is part of BioSTL’s mission to expand the St. Louis region’s global leadership in the biosciences.

The Summit will bring together some 200 leaders from the local and global agrifood ecosystem to network, engage, and participate in the annual Dolphin Tank session. That’s when select startups get the opportunity to pitch their companies, receiving live feedback and, who knows, maybe future customers and investors.

“St. Louis is located at the heart of agrifood industry and innovation, with one of the most impactful biosciences hubs in the nation,” said Donn Rubin, CEO of BioSTL, convener of the event and driver of St. Louis’s bio-innovation ecosystem. “Global corporations, startups, universities, and research institutions in the St. Louis area work at the forefront of some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” Rubin said. “This event attracts top global innovators and innovation hubs to meet with St. Louis’ vibrant agrifood ecosystem, further elevating St. Louis’ reputation as a global agrifood powerhouse.”

The Dolphin Tank is made possible by the ReACH Coalition of St. Louis, comprised of organizations building a better, more sustainable agrifood system. Members include the following: 39 North, Missouri Farm Bureau, Bayer, Bunge, Burger King, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Gates AG One, ICL, the Illinois Farm Bureau, KWS, Missouri Corn Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, Nestle Purina, Post, Taylor Geospatial Institute, United Soybean Board, Washington University in St. Louis, and more.

Agenda Highlights

Tuesday, Feb. 3: Experiencing the St. Louis Ag Innovation Ecosystem Firsthand, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CST

Visiting innovators and global innovation hub leaders engage directly with St. Louis’ ag innovation landscape, gaining insight into how research institutions, startups, farmers, corporations, and civic partners work together to move ideas from discovery to deployment.

• Panel Discussion: The Strength of St. Louis, PI AgSciences (India), CTC Genomics (Brazil), KWS (Germany), CoverCress (St. Louis)
• St. Louis Ecosystem Tour: 39 North, Danforth Plant Science Center, Helix Center, Cortex: BioSTL Building
• Building Companies Conversation – Commercializing Innovation: BioGenerator, BioSTL’s startup arm
• Welcome Reception, BioSTL Building

Wednesday, Feb. 4, ReGen Ag Day, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CST

Focusing on the innovation, partnerships, and capital required to move regenerative agriculture from early innovation to real-world impact. Key elements of the day include:

• Breakfast and networking, followed by opening remarks to kick off the Summit
• A featured session on Patient Risk Capital Enabling Farmer Transition to Regenerative Agriculture, including:
  • Case studies from the United States and India
  • Discussion of financing models that help farmers manage risk during the transition to regenerative practices
• The Summit’s signature Dolphin Tank, featuring two pitch sessions in which 11 selected agrifood startups from the U.S. and around the world present their technologies and business models for live, candid feedback
• A keynote lunch exploring Regenerative Agriculture: Untapped Levers for Greater Farmer Profitability and Industry Collaboration
• An afternoon session, “Where Are They Now?”, spotlighting alumni innovators and the progress they’ve made since engaging with the BioSTL ecosystem
• Closing remarks and a networking reception, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., designed to deepen connections among innovators, growers, corporate partners, and investors

Thursday, Feb. 5: Turning Momentum into Action, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CST

Thursday’s programming is designed to translate Summit conversations into concrete next steps through two complementary tracks:

• Track One: Business Development
  • Curated, one-on-one meetings between featured innovators and our region’s agrifood corporations and organizations for business and collaboration.
• Track Two: Global Innovation Hubs Workshop
  • Working sessions among international innovation hubs to share perspectives and identify cross-regional collaboration opportunities

Media access available upon request

Speakers List:

Garrett Hawkins, President, Missouri Farm Bureau

Myriah Johnson, VP, Corporate Sustainability, FCS America

Anil Kumar, Founder and CEO, Samunnati

Giles Oldroyd, PhD, President, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

Dan Smith, EVP, Research & Development, Nestle Purina

Global Hubs Leaders List:

Nicola Harrison, Managing Director, StartLife, Europe’s leading AgriFood Innovation Hub

Ori Ben Herzl, CEO, Migal Institute, Israel’s leading Regenerative Ag Hub

KV Subbarao, Partner, AgVaya, leading India AgriFood Advisory and BioSTL partner in India

Sharya Sethi, Vice President, Scottish Enterprises, Scotland Government’s primary economic and innovation development agency

Roz Bird, CEO of Norwich Research Park, United Kingdom