Agtech Network Plans for 2012

Posted by Dan Broderick on 2 January 2012 | 3 Comments

Tags: agtech, venture capital, ag innovation, GAIN 50, Ag Explorer, Innovation Cache

Welcome to the first GAIN Insight blog for 2012. We here at GAIN wish you all the best for a healthy and prosperous 2012.

GAIN had an excellent 2011. We launched numerous products for our members and those interested in agtech. These include:

• GAIN Insight™, the official blog of GAIN

• Innovation Cache™ - a listing of ag technologies available from key ag schools and universities

• Ag Explorer™ - a database containing articles from over 50,000 sources on ag innovations in selectable fields and subcategories of interest. We actually launched three versions during 2011 that increasingly improved the quality of the searches that return the articles to the database. This is available to members only. If you are a member, and need information on how to access Ag Explorer, please contact GAIN's membership director, Marypat Corbett.

• GAIN 50™ - is a stock index, some refer to it as an exchange traded fund (ETF) this index only contains public companies that are developing and selling innovative ag products. In a retrospective analysis, the GAIN 50 out performed the S&P 500 by about 10%!

We also hosted several successful meetings and webinars, spoke at five conferences on the importance of ag innovation and most importantly increased membership by 300% (from 9 to 43)!

While the majority of members are pleased with GAIN and the message and value propositions resonate with prospective members there is more for us to do and deliver to you. Here is a summary of our initial plans for 2012:

• Invite guest “bloggers” to publish in GAIN Insight and publish more frequently

• Expand the Innovation Cache to include 30 universities and 180 technologies. We will also move this feature, or most of it, to the members only section of the website.

• We will continue to refine search strings and add categories to Ag Explorer

• We are going to try and register the GAIN 50 so it can me traded on a stock exchange, this will require a partnership which is early in exploration.

• GAIN will offer an average of one activity per month. These will include webinars, formal meetings and informal gatherings (our first of these will be in San Francisco during the JPM meeting - the date is Jan. 9 - see below for details). We will also organize gatherings at larger agtech related meeting as resources allow, send us your suggestions.

• We have discussions ongoing about an International Agripreneurship Fellowship program with a major foundation interested in entrepreneurship.

• We have a goal of at least doubling the membership during 2012, so tell your colleagues, your network, about GAIN. Or let me know of anyone who would be a great member. The more thought leaders, innovators and change-makers that we can connect, the better GAIN will be for all.

• GAIN will work with the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) to explore better ways to collect data on ag investing, including establishing new categories and classifications, so our members can better track them for reporting and strategic planning.

There is plenty to accomplish this year and we appreciate your continued support and participation.

The details for the January 9 gathering - or Ag Investing Caucus - are as follows:

When: January 9, 6-8:30 pm

Where: The Flying Leatherneck Lounge (12th Floor), Marines Memorial Club and Hotel, 609 Sutter St. San Francisco, 415-673-6672

RSVP: Space is limited so please reserve your spot soon. Email Marypat Corbett.

We will also be sponsoring the Corridor Conversations event in Kansas City on January 20, more details can be found at kcanimalhealth.com. You do need to register for this event through KC Animal Health.

Thanks so much, talk to you all again soon.

Dan Broderick
President, GAIN


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