SILICON VALLEY FORUM PRESENTS
SEEDS OF OUR FUTURE
AGTECH SUMMIT & IMMERSION PROGRAM
August 20-23, 2019 | SILICON VALLEY, CA
#SooF19
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities?
Contact Director of International Relations, Nick Sramek
About the Program
Silicon Valley Forum’s Seeds of Our Future AgTech Summit & Immersion Program invites global AgTech innovators and supporters on a four-day journey through Silicon Valley, Salinas, and Napa Valley. Day 1 kicks off with an incredible Summit filled with discussions, workshops, and relationship building opportunities from industry experts who are leading the way in AgTech! Following the Summit is an interactive 3-day experience at farms, startups, wineries, and companies throughout the most innovative farming and wine making regions in California.
An increasing global population and dwindling resources are some of the biggest challenges we face, and innovation in agricultural technology is key for sustaining and improving the way our farmers and winemakers seed, grow and harvest their products. Join us this August for a behind the scenes look at the future of farming and agriculture, where you will:
- Learn about cutting edge innovation in agricultural technology
- Hear from agtech-facing startups: their challenges and successes
- Engage with Venture Capitalists to understand how they see the future of investing
- Talk to farmers who have partnered with technology companies (on location in Salinas and Napa)
- Meet potential partners, investors, and customers
About the Seeds of Our Future: Since the inaugural event in 2016, the Seeds of Our Future has brought together tech innovators, startups, investors, farmers, universities, governments, and industry experts to connect on topics such as automated farms, food safety and traceability, controlled environments, UAVs, and much more. California is home to the world’s most productive seats of both technology and agriculture, and this program examines the ways in which we can bridge the two and build a better future.
When and Where
The Seeds of Our Future Immersion Program will be held August 20-23, 2019, and will tour through a variety of locations in Silicon Valley, Salinas, and Napa Valley. You’ll have the opportunity to tour working farms and agricultural centers, and visit innovative companies and startups working in biotech, agtech, drones and UAV, big data/IoT, and much more.
How to Choose Your Ticket
We have two options to attend Seeds of Our Future 2019:
Summit Only – On Day 1, August 20, 2019 in San Jose, CA, join industry leaders for a discussion on what the future holds for farming and agriculture; meet new generation agtech innovators as they pitch their solutions; engage with investors, and government officials in thoughtful discussions around next level solutions, investment strategies, and much more. Spend the day sharing your insights into global agriculture challenges, forge meaningful relationships, and get up to speed on current innovations in agtech and sustainability. Limited amount of tickets available!
Complete Program – Full access to the summit on day one, as well as the three day immersion program which includes bus tours to Salinas and Napa Valley to get a behind the scenes look at the new technology California farmers and growers are embracing. This ticket type is ideal for industry leaders involved in agtech, clean and greentech, digital infrastructure, and more.
Silicon Valley Forum is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization
Past Highlights: The Seeds of Our Future AgTech Program
WATCH VIDEO
2019 Speakers
more to be announced
Pickup point each day: Hyatt Place San Jose/Downtown, 282 S Almaden Blvd, San Jose, CA 95113
Day 1 (August 20th)
SUMMIT:
San Jose, California
The program kicks off with an AgTech Summit which will focus on building a dialogue amongst participants, hearing from industry experts, exploring next generation solutions from Silicon Valley startups, and prepping for the adventure ahead.
8:15am:
Depart from Hyatt Place, San Jose to Emma Prusch Farm (Multicultural Building, 647 King Rd., San Jose, CA 95116)
9am-9:30am:
Registration
9:30am-9:40am:
Welcoming Remarks
NICK SRAMEK, Director of International Relations, Silicon Valley Forum
9:40am-10:20am:
Meet & greet plus interactive table discussions surrounding current AgTech challenges and solutions from the United States and around the world:
What are the major impediments? How can technology help solve the big issues we are facing?
10:20am-10:30am:
Break
10:30am-11am:
Power Talk and Q&A: AARON MAGENHEIM, Founder of AgTech Insight
While new technologies are being developed in Silicon Valley to address agriculture challenges, what are the emerging trends globally?
11am-11:30am:
Power Talk and Q&A: OMER DAVIDI, Founder & CEO of BeeHero
BeeHero helps farmers give every flower a fighting chance using the power of real time beehive data and pollination intelligence.
11:30am-12pm:
Power Talk and Q&A: DAVID VOSBURG, CFO & SVP, Crop One
Crop One’s mission is to solve the world’s food problems one crop at a time.
12pm-1:30pm:
Lunch
1:30pm-2:15pm:
Panel Discussion and Q&A: Investments and latest innovation in AgTech
ALEX LUCE, Partner, Creative Ventures
KARL KERKSIEK, VC, Finistere Ventures
MORGAN PAXHIA, Managing Director & Chief Investor, Poseidon Asset Management
Moderated by Nick Sramek, Director Int’l Relations at Silicon Valley Forum
How do Investors see the future of AgTech? What big bets are being made in 2019?
2:15pm-2:45pm:
Power Talk and Q&A: ROHINI BANSKOTA, Director of Policy, Finless Foods
Finless Foods is a food startup working toward a world where everyone has access to healthy, delectable seafood, without the environmental devastation or the health hazards of traditional fishing and aquatic farming.
2:45pm-3:45pm:
Panel Discussion: Is CannabisThe New Gold Rush?
RYAN BRANTLEY, Director of Cultivation with Caliva
PAUL HENDERSON, CEO with Grupo Flor
Moderated by Patrick Froehlich, Int’l Program Manager, Silicon Valley Forum
What are the major hurdles in this exciting new sector? What new technologies are being developed for Cannabis tech?
3:45pm-4pm:
Break
4pm-4:30pm:
KEYNOTE: CHARLES BARON, CoFounder & VP, Farmer’s Business Network Inc.
How is technology helping growers build a resilient future? What can farmers and growers expect when it comes to innovation?
4:30pm-5pm:
Networking
Day 2 (August 21st)
IMMERSION PROGRAM:
Salinas, California
On this day we will take a trip to Salinas – the “salad bowl” of California. We will learn from our partner, Western Growers, hear from AgTech companies in Salinas, and visit growing operations that use technology to solve their challenges.
8am:
Depart Hyatt Place, San Jose for Salinas
9am-11am:
Tour of Taylor Farms (1275 Hansen St., Salinas, CA 93901)
See how Taylor Farm leverages technology to improve their processes
11am-11:30am:
Travel to Western Growers Technology Center (150 Main St #130, Salinas, CA 93901)
11:30am-12pm:
Welcoming Remarks: JOE GUNTER, Mayor of Salinas
Salinas: Symbiosis between Farmers and AgTech
12pm-12:30pm:
KEYNOTE: DENNIS DONOHUE, Director Western Growers Center of Innovation & Technology
Introduction to the WG Tech Center. Changes in AgTech and strategic initiatives and priorities.
12:30pm-1:30pm:
Lunch
1:30pm-1:45pm:
Presentation: Farmwise
SEBASTIAN BOYER, CoFounder & CEO of Farmwise
Their autonomous vegetable weeder helps get rid of herbicides, save time, have better products and greater yields
1:45pm-2pm:
Presentation: Pago
MIKE DODSON, CoFounder & CEO of Pago
Pago is the first product to serve both farm labor contractors and growers by offering a platform where the two parties can work collaboratively to carry out crucial labor activities.
2pm-2:15pm:
Q&A Session
2:10pm-2:30pm:
Travel to Grupo Flor (514 Work St., Salinas, CA 93901)
2:30pm-4:30pm:
Tour of Grupo Flor, a company focused on Cannabis.
PAUL HENDERSON, CEO of Grupo Flor
See how the cannabis industry is rapidly changing and the technical challenges they face.
4:30pm:
Depart Salinas to Hyatt Place, San Jose
Day 3 (August 22nd)
IMMERSION PROGRAM:
Silicon Valley, California
Day 3 we return to Silicon Valley, with an in-depth look at AgTech startups building next-generation technologies to meet the needs of a growing population.
10am:
Depart Hyatt Place, San Jose to Gamble Gardens Historic Home & Gardens (1431 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301)
11:00am-11:30am:
The Pitch! Six AgTech companies disrupting farming:
JAMIE BACHER, CoFounder & CEO of Boost Biomes
ROBERT MORRIS, Founder & CEO of TerrAvion
BRUCE BORDEN, COO of FarmX
ADRIAN FERRARO, CoFounder & CEO of Biome Makers
NAEEM ZAFAR, CoFounder & CEO of TeleSense
11:30am-12:30pm:
Lunch
12:30pm-1pm:
Presentation: IBM & AgTech
DEBORAH MAGID, Director Software Strategy, IBM Ventures
IBM’s work with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, combining IBM’s core competencies with promising startups within the Agtech space
1pm-2pm:
Company Demos – Meet the Startups!
Boost Biomes – a platform to enhance agriculturally relevant microbiomes
TerrAvion – helps farms take a hi-tech approach to improve yield and revenue, with the largest cloud-based aerial imaging and data analytics service for agriculture.
FarmX – sensors that measure soil, plant and environmental variables to accurately measure water stress. Our advanced predictive algorithms deliver real-time irrigation actions.
Biome Makers – a biotech company born in Silicon Valley specialized in the identification and understanding of the microbiome.
TeleSense – an advanced suite of sensors that monitor grain 24/7.
2pm-3pm:
Travel to IDEO.org (444 Spear Street, Suite 213, San Francisco, CA 94105)
3pm-4:30pm:
Presentation and Round Table Discussions
LUAN NIO, Senior Partners Lead, IDEO.org
ADAM REINECK, Global Design Director, IDEO.org
Introduction to IDEO.org and Human-Centered Design, their vision for agriculture as a driver for impact. Designing for and with farmers: stories from smallholders and a few IDEO.org case studies. Followed by discussion around trends and needs.
5pm-6:30pm:
Return to San Jose
Day 4 (August 23rd)
IMMERSION PROGRAM:
Napa, California
10am:
Depart Hyatt Place, San Jose
12pm:
Arrive at Beringer
12pm-1pm:
Lunch
1:15pm-2:30pm:
Presentations & Panel Discussion at Beringer’s Fermentation Room
ADAM WOLF, Chief Scientist at Arable Labs Inc.
WILL DRAYTON, Director Technical Viticulture & Research Winemaking at Treasury Wine Estates
JILL BRIGHAM, Executive Director, Smart Farming and Sustainable Wine and Food Processing Center at UC Davis
Technology & Innovation’s impact to Beringer’s processes and business
2:45pm-4pm:
Tour of Beringer Winery
View their tech in action
4:15pm-5pm
Networking
5pm:
Depart to San Jose
PAST HIGHLIGHTS
Seeds of Our Future through the years
IT ALL HAPPENS AUGUST 20 – 23, 2019
Don’t miss this intensive immersion tour through beautiful Northern California!
SUMMIT & IMMERSION PROGRAM LOCATIONS
August 20-23, 2019
Day 1 – Summit Only: San Jose, CA
Day 2 – Immersion Program: Salinas, CA
Day 3 – Immersion Program: Silicon Valley, CA (various)
Day 4 – Immersion Program: Napa Valley, CA
Hotel Recommendations
For your convenience, we have a list of hotel recommendations below. Please note: as the pickup point for each day of the program will be in downtown San Jose, the hotels below are, too. If you elect to go with a different hotel, we strongly recommend staying as close as possible to San Jose. The hotels below have been selected because of their proximity to the pickup point and the conference itself.
Fairmont San Jose ($$$$)
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Fairmont San Jose offers refined elegance and sophistication set amid the magnificent backdrop of Northern California.
Westin San Jose ($$$)
The Westin San Jose combines distinctive character and modern design in the heart of downtown San Jose.
San Jose Marriott ($$$)
Connected to the San Jose Convention Center, our recently redesigned San Jose Marriott offers travelers an inspired downtown location.
The Hyatt Place ($$)
Located in Downtown San Jose, our hotel has complimentary WiFi, all day dining from our Gallery Market menu, a 24 hour StayFit Gym, and just minutes away from companies and convention centers.
2019 Partners
more to be announced
SUMMIT WATER SPONSOR
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
MEDIA & MARKETING PARTNERS
If you are a registered industry journalist or member of the press and would like to arrange an interview with a speaker or to discuss the program in further detail, please contact: erin@siliconvalleyforum.com
