SVG partners, Land O'Lakes enter Ag-Tech innovation startup agreement

SVG Partners and Land O'Lakes, Inc. recently announced an agreement to find innovative Food and Ag-Tech solutions through the THRIVE Accelerator, a highly selective investment program that supports open innovation and technology-enabled agricultural startups across the United States and around the world.

Land O'Lakes, Inc. will bring its knowledge and experience as a judge in the program and will offer mentoring and advice to selected AgTech startups, helping them rapidly scale to meet evolving needs in agriculture. "As a leader in AgTech, we are excited to offer our expertise and leadership to the THRIVE Accelerator program and support innovative startups in driving the future of our industry," said Mike Macrie, Land O'Lakes Chief Information Officer.

The THRIVE program attracts startups with disruptive and innovative AgTech solutions and provides them access to show their technologies to top agricultural companies. Selected startups will receive support in scaling their products and solutions from industry leaders such as Land O'Lakes.

Chris Boody, Chief Technology Officer for SVG Partners, said, "SVG is thrilled to welcome Land O'Lakes, Inc. among its strategic partners in the program. Land O'Lakes, Inc. is uniquely positioned to help the THRIVE program become one of the leading Ag-Tech innovation platforms in the United States."

For 2016, almost 200 applications were submitted to THRIVE from 35 countries around the world. Thirty-six applicants from 16 business areas were chosen to pitch their companies to a selected list of judges and experts.

Ten finalists will benefit from an eight-week acceleration program based on high-level mentorship, collaboration and direct access to the world's top fresh agriculture companies in the United States.