GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Dec. 17, 2024) — The Michigan State University Research Foundation and MSU Technologies hosted the second annual AgTech Summit on December 12, 2024. The event brought together agricultural innovators, researchers, and industry leaders to share insights and solutions aimed at advancing Michigan’s agricultural sector.
Held alongside the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market EXPO, the summit featured morning sessions at the DeVos Place Convention Center and a startup showcase at the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building.
The day opened with a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities in specialty agriculture, moderated by Brad Fingland, Director of Venture Creation at the MSU Research Foundation. Panelists included representatives from Greenwich Capital Group, Iora Nature Tech, Ness Fertigation, and a former NEOGEN leader. They explored the critical role of university-industry collaboration in addressing agricultural challenges and emphasized the importance of startups differentiative themselves or consolidating with competitors to secure funding.
“This summit reflects MSU’s dedication to finding creative solutions for the agricultural community,” said Fingland. “By connecting researchers, startups, and industry leaders, we’re addressing today’s challenges and preparing for the future of sustainable farming and food systems.”
Following the panel, participants joined an interactive roundtable discussion led by experts from MSU Technologies and the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) AgBio program. Conversations focused on how to accelerate the adoption of agricultural innovations through partnerships and funding opportunities.
“The MTRAC AgBio program works to get early-stage AgBio innovations out of the lab and into the field, farm, or factory where they can create real value,” said Joe Affholter, director of the MTRAC AgBio Innovation Hub based at MSU. “Events like this provide the collaboration needed to turn research into real-world impact in Michigan and beyond.” The MTRAC AgBio Hub is co-funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
Spotlight on Startups
From AI-driven monitoring tools to solar-powered farming robots, the Startup Showcase represented a diverse range of technologies aimed at improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and increasing profitability for farmers.
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EarthMetric Innovations, a startup leveraging MSU technology, presented low-cost sensor systems designed to optimize irrigation and improve crop yields.
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FarmDroid showcased autonomous, solar-powered robots for planting and weeding.
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Farmish demonstrated an online marketplace connecting communities with local farmers.
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Iora Nature Tech shared AI-driven carbon reporting and nature monitoring technologies, built on technology developed at MSU.
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Meknology introduced water treatment devices for agricultural applications.
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MSU SmartAg Technologies presented tools to optimize agricultural supply chains.
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TierraSpec highlighted remote sensing technologies for soil management.
“These startups embody the future of agriculture,” said Mike Taylor, Director of Venture Creation at the MSU Research Foundation. “They demonstrate how technology is creating new value for farmers across their business.”
Building Connections and Exploring Resources
The summit concluded with a networking lunch and tours of The Bridge incubator, a 20,000-square-foot facility managed by the MSU Research Foundation. The incubator supports startups with programs, resources, collaborative workspaces, and entrepreneurial guidance.
“The AgTech Summit showcases how innovation can drive meaningful progress in agriculture,” said Taylor. “It’s about building connections across the ecosystem that lead to solutions.”
Key Takeaways from AgTech Summit 2024
The summit underscored several important themes:
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Technology in Practice: University researchers and industry partners are rapidly developing and deploying AI, robotics, and sensor systems to improve efficiency and address agriculture’s most pressing challenges, including labor shortages.
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Collaboration Drives Impact: Partnerships between researchers, startups, and industry leaders play a key role in scaling solutions.
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Focus on Sustainability: Solutions presented at the summit aim to optimize resources while mitigating environmental impacts.
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Regional Leadership: Michigan is a leader in specialty crop production and agricultural technology, leveraging its strong research and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
For more information about the AgTech Summit or to learn about upcoming events, visit msufoundation.org/events.
This story was originally published by the MSU Research Foundation.
About the MSU Innovation Center:
The MSU Innovation Center combines research partnerships, technology transfer, and startup support for MSU faculty who aim to see their research applied to make the world a better place.
Composed of Business Connect, MSU Technologies, and Spartan Innovations, the MSU Innovation Center aims to amplify the impact of faculty research and drive economic growth while positively impacting society to solve real-world challenges with cutting-edge ideas.
Through mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships with the private sector, we connect MSU faculty with companies for corporate-sponsored research collaborations. We also play a key role in facilitating the commercialization and public use of technologies and copyrightable materials, moving MSU’s innovations from the lab to the marketplace. Importantly, we provide significant support for faculty entrepreneurs in establishing startup companies based on technologies developed at MSU.