Last month, the 2025 THRIVE Global Impact Summit brought together almost 400 leaders from around the world for an inspiring week of collaboration, innovation, and connection across the agri-food ecosystem. The gathering featured roundtable discussions, startup showcases, and a diverse lineup of panels and speakers — bringing together participants from across the globe, including THRIVE’s global accelerator cohort and immersion program participants, all united by a shared mission to advance sustainable food and agriculture. Over the course of the week, attendees joined tours at Driscoll’s and UC Davis, networked with industry peers, and witnessed the culmination of the THRIVE Global Impact Challenge, which had been underway for several months leading up to the summit.
Launched in 2020, THRIVE’s Global Impact Initiative is a 10-year commitment to driving innovation that delivers measurable progress toward a more sustainable, resilient, and climate-positive future. Through this initiative and its annual summit, THRIVE continues to unite startups, corporates, producers, investors, and global partners to spark collaboration and deliver real-world solutions.
The panels and sessions that followed reflected the momentum of this global community — exploring key trends shaping the agri-food sector today, from investment outlook and regenerative farming to decarbonization, sustainability, and the growing role of AI. The reflections below provide a summary of the key conversations and insights that emerged from this year’s event.
More with Less: Collaboration as the New Engine of Sustainability
Across every panel and conversation, one central theme emerged: how we can grow more with less. As Scott Komar, Senior Vice President of Global R&D at Driscoll’s, noted, “We need to optimize for the next generation.” Speakers emphasized that the future of food lies in learning not just to manage our environment, but to respond intelligently and responsibly to it. Echoing that sentiment, Anantha Desikan, Chief Innovation and Technology Officer at ICL Group, highlighted that partnerships are at the core of innovation and commercialization. While discovery in agriculture is moving faster than ever, getting new technologies to market can still take six to seven years. Strong collaborations, he noted, can help shorten that journey — even as rigorous trials remain essential to ensuring safety and performance. From regenerative farming to advanced data analytics, discussions throughout the day reflected a shared optimism that the Agrifoodtech landscape will continue to evolve, uncovering the best solutions to feed a growing world with fewer resources.
Understanding the 2025 AgTech Investment Landscape and Market Outlook for 2026
Alex Frederick, Senior Research Analyst, Agtech and Foodtech at PitchBook, provided an overview of the 2025 AgTech investment landscape and a market outlook for 2026. Frederick’s analysis revealed a sector in transition — one that has matured after several years of rapid growth and recalibration. While investment activity remains strong in key areas such as animal biotechnology, automation and robotics, all of them driven largely by advances in AI. Other segments, such as alternative meats and proteins, are seeing a more selective flow of capital as investors prioritize proven innovation and scalability.
He noted that many investors who were active last year have stepped back, creating opportunities for specialized funds and strategic corporate investors to take the lead. Valuations have softened across most stages except for early-stage companies, which continue to attract attention for their breakthrough potential. Exits are occurring primarily through mergers and acquisitions, as public markets remain quiet. Reflecting on this shift, Frederick remarked, “After a period of correction, the market appears to have hit a floor, with capital now concentrating on fewer but larger, higher-quality deals.”
Investing in the Future of Agri-Food — Trends, Capital, and Impact
Moderated by Danny O’Brien, Managing Director, EMEA & Global Programs at SVG Ventures | THRIVE, this panel brought together a diverse group of industry leaders to explore how financial innovation is shaping the future of the agri-food sector — and how sustainability fits within that equation. The discussion featured PJ Amini, Senior Director of Venture Investments at Leaps by Bayer; Lena McAtee, Investment Manager and Head of Sustainability at re:Food; Doug Hewson, Vice President of Investment at FCC; and Erin VanLanduit, Head of Corporate Ventures at Cargill. Together, they shared perspectives from across the venture, corporate, and institutional investment landscape, offering insight into how capital can be strategically deployed to advance both profitability and sustainability in agri-food innovation.
PJ Amini emphasized that the industry must distinguish between sustainability as a goal and as a business strategy. “Sustainability alone does not create sustainability,” he said. “If sustainability on its own is a company’s lone business model, it won’t survive during the hard times. Sustainability should not be a business offering, but a side effect of a great company with a great product.” The panel agreed that true longevity comes from having a strong product and a sound business model that naturally generates sustainable outcomes — creating long-term value while reducing environmental impact.
Building on this idea, panelists reflected on how resilience — both financial and environmental — must go hand in hand. Erin VanLanduit acknowledged the challenges posed by tariffs and shifting global dynamics but struck an optimistic note, saying, “The world has a way of rebalancing; we still need to eat.” Like water finding its way through rock, the agri-food ecosystem continues to adapt. In doing so, investors are increasingly focusing on how to operate within planetary boundaries, supporting startups that reduce pressure on the planet while promoting equity in access to food.
Panelists also acknowledged the ongoing challenges of bringing new technologies to market, particularly for startups operating outside the support networks of major corporations. To bridge this gap, they emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among growers, corporates, investors, and innovators — partnerships that can help promising solutions scale faster and reach commercial viability. Doug Hewson noted that one of the biggest barriers to adoption is risk, emphasizing that the industry needs to “de-risk new technologies as much as possible for easier adoption.” At the same time, investors are becoming more strategic, closely tracking industry trends and aligning their capital with the sector’s most urgent needs. This targeted approach, they noted, is essential to channel resources toward ventures with the greatest potential for both economic success and sustainable impact.
Revolutionizing Food Systems: From Novel Ingredients to Sustainable Packaging
Led by Adam Bergman, Managing Director at Ecotech Capital, the discussion explored how innovation is reshaping the global food system. Panelists included Patrick Heffer, Deputy Director General of the International Fertilizer Association (IFA); Patrick Sheridan, Vice President of Global Agriculture at Kraft Heinz; Supria Suri Bhalla, Director of Advanced Packaging Materials at Ingredion; and Celine Schiff-Deb, Chief Science Officer at Mista. Together, they agreed that the food system is undergoing tremendous change — driven by shifting consumer expectations, evolving regulations, and the urgent need for climate resilience.
The food system is undergoing rapid transformation as consumers increasingly demand healthier, more sustainable, and higher-quality products. Patrick Heffer, Deputy Director General of the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), noted that this shift reflects “increasing demands from consumers to be more sustainable and more interested in how and where food is grown.” Patrick Sheridan captured this change from the brand perspective: “There are three things that we’ve seen consumers care the most about — taste, affordability, and the health aspect: is this good for me or not? And those three things have been changing consistently to adapt to their expectations.” Beyond these factors, consumers are also seeking more personalized food experiences, and technologies such as AI are expected to accelerate this trend by enabling products tailored to individual preferences and nutritional needs.
Climate change is not a theory — it’s a certainty — and the food system must continue to adapt to it. Yet, echoing insights from the previous panel, startups that lead with sustainability as their sole value proposition are unlikely to succeed. Instead, companies must focus on developing impactful, resilient solutions that deliver value and performance first, allowing sustainability to emerge as a natural consequence of their innovation.
Beyond ingredients, packaging emerged as another critical piece of the sustainability puzzle. Panelists highlighted the need for materials and designs that minimize environmental impact while maintaining safety and functionality. As Supria Suri Bhalla remarked, “Nature still does it best — a banana peel is the perfect package.” Despite its importance, sustainable packaging often remains an afterthought, limited by regulatory hurdles and unclear business incentives. However, growing tariff challenges and shifting supply chains are creating new opportunities to localize production and rethink materials.
While the U.S. continues to lead in food innovation thanks to faster approval processes, speakers stressed that the future of food will depend on collaboration across industries to balance innovation with accessibility — ensuring that healthy, sustainable, and affordable food reaches consumers everywhere.
Regenerating Our Future: Building Resilient and Sustainable Farms
With Peter Eckes, Senior Advisor at SVG Ventures | THRIVE, guiding the conversation, panelists discussed how technology is driving regenerative agriculture. The panel featured Jesse Chisholm, Vice President of North America Agriculture at Topcon Corporation; Karissa Kruse, President and CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers; Tom Greene, Senior Director at Corteva Agriscience, R&D; and Rejane Souza, Senior Vice President of Global Innovation at Yara. Together, they explored what it will take to make regenerative agriculture both scalable and practical — focusing on how technology, measurement, and farmer profitability can drive meaningful change across the global food system.
“You can’t go green if you’re in the red,” remarked Karissa Kruse, setting the tone for a discussion centered on the need to balance environmental goals with economic realities. Jesse Chisholm echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that innovation must work for growers in practice. “Farmers should be encouraged to adopt new technologies, but most importantly, we need to make sure they’re not at risk. If farmers don’t see results fast, they don’t want to keep going — and that makes adoption harder,” he said. Panelists agreed that the success of regenerative agriculture depends on delivering clear value to farmers — solutions that are simple, performance-driven, and profitable. They stressed that sustainability initiatives must move beyond buzzwords toward measurable outcomes that mitigate risk and provide a tangible return on investment.
Tom Greene noted that technologies such as genome editing, biologics, and AI-driven systems are becoming powerful tools to improve efficiency and make regenerative practices more practical in the field. Panelists agreed that resource efficiency — particularly around water use, soil health, and biodiversity — is now shaping how regenerative agriculture is implemented. As water becomes the next major pressure point after carbon, the focus is turning to smarter irrigation, better fertilizers, and technologies that deliver outcome-based results farmers can see and measure. When growers can clearly track improvements in productivity, soil vitality, and environmental impact, they are far more likely to adopt and scale these sustainable practices.
Global Impact: How Innovation is Decarbonizing Agriculture Around the World
Under the moderation of Mika Eberl, Head of AgroStart and Digital Officer, Agricultural Solutions at BASF, global leaders explored innovation toward a low-carbon future. The discussion featured Hiro Ueda, Executive Officer at Kagome; Marlieke Lingmont, Head of Startup Innovation at Lely; Guido Ringling, Head of Strategy at Krone Group; and Michelle Goldsmith, CEO of Agriculture Victoria Services. Together, they explored how technology, collaboration, and a focus on measurable outcomes are helping decarbonize food production while building resilience for the next generation of farmers.
This panel returned to one of the summit’s central questions: how can agriculture meaningfully contribute to a net-zero future? Mika Eberl emphasized that decarbonization is not only about technology but also about mindset and legacy. “Nearly 70% of farmers are driven by the desire to pass their land and livelihood forward,” he noted, underscoring that progress in sustainability depends as much on culture and collaboration as it does on innovation. Panelists agreed that reducing emissions and creating value for farmers must go hand in hand, with initiatives that make low-carbon practices both practical and profitable.
Hiro Ueda highlighted the importance of linking consumer insights to agricultural innovation, noting that “food companies have a direct touch point with consumers and can capture those insights directly, but we need to transfer these insights to the agricultural field to make more rapid advances in sustainability.” Cross-border partnerships between farmers, startups, corporations, and governments remain vital to scaling carbon-reducing innovations such as methane-mitigating feed, precision farming tools, and genetic solutions. Panelists highlighted the growing role of deep-tech and AI-driven platforms in tracking and reducing emissions — but stressed that impact must be measurable. A product designed to mitigate carbon holds little value unless its results can be accurately quantified.
Adaptability also emerged as a key theme — particularly in the context of decarbonization as a tool to mitigate the very effects of climate change that are already disrupting agriculture. Reducing emissions is not only about reaching net-zero targets but about lessening the environmental pressures that give rise to new challenges, such as shifting pest populations and resource scarcity. Michelle Goldsmith illustrated this point with the example of Australia, where pest outbreaks once considered minor now destroy up to 20% of certain crops. “Ten years ago, these pests weren’t even worth our attention,” she explained, “but with climate change, they’ve been reproducing rapidly and are now a major problem.” Similar pressures are emerging worldwide, underscoring that decarbonization and adaptation must progress hand in hand to build resilience across global food production.
As Marlieke Lingmont put it, “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face — but that’s how innovation happens.” True progress, she noted, depends on resilience — learning from setbacks, adapting quickly, and continuing to push forward toward a more sustainable future. Closing the session, Guido Ringling offered a reminder of optimism amid uncertainty: “Everything is tough at the moment, but we have to be patient and know that times will change. There is light at the end of the tunnel — we just have to keep doing the work we’re doing.”
How AI Is Reshaping Agri-Food Systems for Efficiency and Sustainability
The session, facilitated by Marion Meyer, Senior Advisor at SVG Ventures | THRIVE, examined the transformative role of AI in agriculture. The discussion featured Joe Michaels, Senior Director of Product Portfolio Planning at Kubota; Teddy Bekele, Chief Technology Officer at Land O’Lakes; Brad Zamft, CEO of Heritable Agriculture; and Andrew MacDonell, Head of Digital Business Segment at Topcon Agriculture.
The final panel explored how artificial intelligence is transforming the agri-food sector — not as a distant promise, but as a practical tool for efficiency, precision, and sustainability. As Joe Michaels explained, “To make AI truly useful, data from the field has to be easy to integrate — not stuck in silos or locked behind incompatible systems.” For this to happen, data from the field must be easily integrated into existing systems, rather than buried in incompatible or overly complex datasets. Panelists noted that digital twins — virtual models that replicate real-world conditions — could significantly accelerate innovation by reducing time to market for new solutions. In genetics, AI is already enabling breakthroughs in gene editing and pest management, while improving efficiency across operations through automation and process optimization.
Andrew MacDonell highlighted the industry’s responsibility, noting that “the agri-food industry influences human and environmental health more than any other sector, and AI must be treated as a strategic priority for both innovators and investors to solve challenges within it.” Still, the panelists agreed that AI’s full potential will only be realized when it begins to create tangible, physical outcomes — moving beyond analysis to direct impact. Whether through efficiency AI that streamlines internal processes or growth AI that enhances learning and adaptation, the technology’s next frontier will depend on smart integration, collaboration, and purposeful design. In an increasingly competitive landscape, partnerships around AI should be more strategic than ever — fostering innovation while safeguarding the data and insights that will define the future of sustainable food systems.
Celebrating Innovation: THRIVE Global Impact Challenge Winners
Selecting this year’s winners was no easy task. With more than 2,000 applications from 100+ countries around the world, the competition showcased the remarkable breadth of innovation driving the future of sustainable agriculture and food systems. Each finalist demonstrated a unique vision for solving some of the most pressing global challenges — from climate resilience and resource efficiency to food security and clean energy. We extend our congratulations to all who applied, whose collective efforts are helping to build a more sustainable and resilient future.
Category Winners
- Regenerative Agriculture: Harpe Bioherbicide Solutions, USA
- Artificial Intelligence & Automation: Völur, Norway
- Animal Health & Nutrition: Dalan Animal Health, USA
- Clean Energy & ClimateTech: PlasmaLeap Technologies, Australia
- Water & Waste Management: WAVR Technologies
- Post-Harvest & FoodTech: Ayana Bio, USA
Overall Winner: PlasmaLeap Technologies, Australia
Recognition Awards
- Female Founder Award: Dr. Annette Kleiser (Dalan Animal Health, Inc.), USA
- People’s Choice: PlasmaLeap Technologies, Australia
These startups represent the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines the THRIVE Global Impact Summit — advancing technologies that will help the agri-food industry grow smarter, cleaner, and more sustainably for generations to come.
The THRIVE Global Impact Summit 2025 reaffirmed the vital role of innovation in achieving a sustainable, food-secure future. Across every panel, one message stood out: sustainability alone does not create sustainability — it must be the natural result of great products, sound business models, and technologies that deliver measurable impact. From the evolving AgTech investment landscape to the rise of regenerative farming, data-driven tools, and AI-enabled solutions, speakers emphasized that progress depends on collaboration, accountability, and adaptability. The summit’s discussions reflected a shared understanding that building a more resilient agri-food system means not only tackling today’s challenges but anticipating those of the future — ensuring that innovation, profitability, and sustainability move forward together toward the 2030 goals. Ultimately, the sentiment that echoed across the summit was clear: to build a truly sustainable future, we must learn to do more with less — growing smarter, faster, and more efficiently for generations to come.
We also extend a heartfelt thank-you to all our speakers, moderators, and panelists who shared their time, insights, and expertise across each session.
The THRIVE Global Impact Summit 2025 would not have been possible without the generous support and collaboration of our partners and sponsors. We extend our sincere gratitude to Alberta Innovates, BASF, Driscoll’s, FCC, ICL Planet Startup Hub, Krone, Kubota, Corteva, Kagome, Topcon, IFA, Lely, Zone AgTech, EMILI, NEC X, Sonoma County Winegrowers, Agriculture Victoria Services, NSW Government, Dealroom.co, Big Dutchman, Koch, and Cargill.
We look forward to continuing the conversation and celebrating the next wave of global innovators at the 2026 THRIVE Global Impact Summit, taking place on October 14 & 15, 2026. Save the date!
