‘Dolphin Tank’ Pitches, Global Speakers, and Networking on Tap at Annual Event for AgriFood Entrepreneurs and Investors in Regenerative Technology for Agriculture and Food
St. Louis, MO –Feb. 2, 2026— The St. Louis area’s vibrant bio-innovation ecosystem will once again attract entrepreneurs, investors, farmers, and other agrifood visionaries from around the globe Feb. 3-5 at the BioSTL Global AgriFood Innovation Summit. The multi- day Summit includes a public convening on Wednesday, Feb. 4, alongside invite-only programming on Tuesday and Thursday designed to foster deeper collaboration; members of the media are welcome to attend all days with advance coordination. The annual event is part of BioSTL’s mission to expand the St. Louis region’s global leadership in the biosciences.
The Summit will bring together some 200 leaders from the local and global agrifood ecosystem to network, engage, and participate in the annual Dolphin Tank session. That’s when select startups get the opportunity to pitch their companies, receiving live feedback and, who knows, maybe future customers and investors.
“St. Louis is located at the heart of agrifood industry and innovation, with one of the most impactful biosciences hubs in the nation,” said Donn Rubin, CEO of BioSTL, convener of the event and driver of St. Louis’s bio-innovation ecosystem. “Global corporations, startups, universities, and research institutions in the St. Louis area work at the forefront of some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” Rubin said. “This event attracts top global innovators and innovation hubs to meet with St. Louis’ vibrant agrifood ecosystem, further elevating St. Louis’ reputation as a global agrifood powerhouse.”
The Dolphin Tank is made possible by the ReACH Coalition of St. Louis, comprised of organizations building a better, more sustainable agrifood system. Members include the following: 39 North, Missouri Farm Bureau, Bayer, Bunge, Burger King, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Gates AG One, ICL, the Illinois Farm Bureau, KWS, Missouri Corn Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, Nestle Purina, Post, Taylor Geospatial Institute, United Soybean Board, Washington University in St. Louis, and more.
Agenda Highlights
Tuesday, Feb. 3: Experiencing the St. Louis Ag Innovation Ecosystem Firsthand, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CST
Visiting innovators and global innovation hub leaders engage directly with St. Louis’ ag innovation landscape, gaining insight into how research institutions, startups, farmers, corporations, and civic partners work together to move ideas from discovery to deployment.
Panel Discussion: The Strength of St. Louis, PI AgSciences (India), CTC Genomics (Brazil), KWS (Germany), CoverCress (St. Louis)
St. Louis Ecosystem Tour: 39 North, Danforth Plant Science Center, Helix Center, Cortex: BioSTL Building
Building Companies Conversation – Commercializing Innovation: BioGenerator, BioSTL’s startup arm
Welcome Reception, BioSTL Building
Wednesday, Feb. 4, ReGen Ag Day, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CST
Focusing on the innovation, partnerships, and capital required to move regenerative agriculture from early innovation to real-world impact. Key elements of the day include:
Breakfast and networking, followed by opening remarks to kick off the Summit
A featured session on Patient Risk Capital Enabling Farmer Transition to Regenerative Agriculture, including:
Case studies from the United States and India
Discussion of financing models that help farmers manage risk during the transition to regenerative practices
The Summit’s signature Dolphin Tank, featuring two pitch sessions in which 11 selected agrifood startups from the U.S. and around the world present their technologies and business models for live, candid feedback
A keynote lunch exploring Regenerative Agriculture: Untapped Levers for Greater Farmer Profitability and Industry Collaboration
An afternoon session, “Where Are They Now?”, spotlighting alumni innovators and the progress they’ve made since engaging with the BioSTL ecosystem
Closing remarks and a networking reception, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., designed to deepen connections among innovators, growers, corporate partners, and investors
Thursday, Feb. 5: Turning Momentum into Action, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CST
Thursday’s programming is designed to translate Summit conversations into concrete next steps through two complementary tracks:
Track One: Business Development
Curated, one-on-one meetings between featured innovators and our region’s agrifood corporations and organizations for business and collaboration.
Track Two: Global Innovation Hubs Workshop
Working sessions among international innovation hubs to share perspectives and identify cross-regional collaboration opportunities
Media access available upon request
Speakers List:
Garrett Hawkins, President, Missouri Farm Bureau
Myriah Johnson, VP, Corporate Sustainability, FCS America
Anil Kumar, Founder and CEO, Samunnati
Giles Oldroyd, PhD, President, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Dan Smith, EVP, Research & Development, Nestle Purina
Global Hubs Leaders List:
Nicola Harrison, Managing Director, StartLife, Europe’s leading AgriFood Innovation Hub
Ori Ben Herzl, CEO, Migal Institute, Israel’s leading Regenerative Ag Hub
KV Subbarao, Partner, AgVaya, leading India AgriFood Advisory and BioSTL partner in India
Sharya Sethi, Vice President, Scottish Enterprises, Scotland Government’s primary economic and innovation development agency
Roz Bird, CEO of Norwich Research Park, United Kingdom