The 193rd PIFW, "Future Harvest - Cultivating Investment Success in Agriculture," held on October 10, 2024, was a pivotal gathering for agricultural investors. This exclusive event brought together 30 seasoned investors to address key topics. The discussions provided insightful strategies on navigating the future of agriculture and aquaculture investments.

Opportunities and Challenges in AGTech Investments

The AGTech sector presents a dynamic landscape, marked by fluctuating interest and investment valuations. Sarai Kemp, an Agritech investor from Israel, highlights the shifting focus of generalist investors: "Many investors who joined during peak valuation years are now retreating. This exodus opens doors for my new venture fund to capitalize on undervalued companies." Sarai also points to untapped potentials in Africa, emphasizing the necessity of local insights: "Africa's growing market is ripe with opportunity, yet effective investment demands local presence to navigate diverse climates and complex political landscapes."

The Critical Role of Team and Expertise in AGTech Startups

Expertise and team dynamics are critical in AGTech's success. Sarai stresses the importance of discerning investment choices: "It’s vital to discern between promising and poor investments right from the start, ensuring you support teams with solid business and R&D foundations." Echoing this sentiment, Jean-Guillaume Marquaire from Norselab in Norway underscores the value of industry knowledge: "Understanding the agricultural sector is crucial. Regulatory knowledge can either facilitate advancements or become significant hurdles, particularly in fields like genetic engineering."

Scaling and Long-Term Commitment in AGTech Ventures

AGTech scaling is markedly different from typical tech ventures. Magnus Lind from SKANOR GROUP LTD in Sweden points out, "Unlike tech, AGTech can’t scale exponentially through rapid facility multiplication; active, informed investing is essential for tangible returns." Jean-Guillaume Marquaire highlights the sector's slow development cycle: "AGTech investments are more akin to marathon than sprint, dealing with lengthy development periods dictated by natural growth cycles and requiring substantial capital."

We sincerely thank our speakers for sharing their valuable insights at the forum:

Craig Astill

Magnus Lind

Sarai Kemp

Jean-Guillaume Marquaire

These insightful takes were shared during the 193rd Private Investment Forum Worldwide. To have access to first-hand insights from top investment leaders, be sure to check our schedule and register for one of our upcoming events.