Keizai Events

Trends in AgTech: Real Needs in the Industry

The agriculture and food industries are estimated by the FAO to comprise 10% of global GDP — making them the largest industries in the world. Concerns over food production and distribution relating to global climate change, land-use change, emerging health issues, and a growing population are driving innovation like never before. Last year, venture capital invested $4.6 B into the category, an almost 100% increase in investment year-over-year.

Much of that investment has occurred right here in California — the most productive agricultural production region in the US, and the 5th largest agricultural producer in the world. However, with limited secondary markets and a lacking precedent for public offerings, what will become of all of these venture investments? What are the real problems and thus real solutions that the industry presents, and how can corporations and the venture ecosystem effectively get involved and drive sustainable food production into the future?

SPEAKER

Nathan Dorn

CEO & Founder, Food Origins

Nathan Dorn is the Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of Food Origins – a startup focused on precision data collection and analytic services for hand harvested produce. Dorn is also Director of Knowledge and Innovation for Reiter Affiliated Companies. In this role he administrates worldwide organizational mechanization programs for fresh berry harvest and non-harvest activities with hundreds of internal clients in 7 districts of 2 countries. Previously, he was the technical manager for Gallo Family Vineyards and was an operations and maintenance engineer for Pepsi Bottling Group. Dorn began his career as a US Navy nuclear mechanic for the submarine fleet. Dorn received his EMBA from Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business Management and his BA from University of Phoenix.

Tomer Poran

Associate, Draper Nexus Ventures

Tomer Poran focuses on implementation of data and sensor technologies in general and in the Food and Agriculture Tech specifically. Joining Draper Nexus after a summer building the funds investment thesis on the Food & Ag space, Tomer is currently an MBA candidate at the Haas School of Business. Prior to coming to the US for his studies, Tomer founded a VC-backed mobile commerce platform in Israel and headed business development for a GIS company he sits on the board of. Tomer worked as a strategic consultant at TASC, Israel’s largest management consulting firm. He received a BA in Finance from Ben-Gurion University after military service in the Israeli Navy.

Roger Royse

Founder, RoyseLaw AgTech Incubator, the Royse Law Firm

Roger Royse is the founder of the RoyseLaw AgTech Incubator, the Royse Law Firm, PC, a business and tax law firm with offices in Northern and Southern California (www.rroyselaw.com) and an organizer of Silicon Valley Foodtech and Silicon Valley Ag-Tech. Roger is a frequent speaker, writer, radio guest, blogger and panelist for bar associations, CPA organizations, and business groups. Roger is a Northern California Super Lawyer and is AV Peer-Rated by Martindale Hubbell, and has a “Superb” rating from Avvo.
Roger’s Silicon Valley AgTech group is provides technology companies with access to agricultural and food markets and investors in California and
worldwide. Its Incubator and Conference have been featured in the national and international media, including the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company and the San Jose Mercury News (AP).
Roger serves in leadership roles on several American Bar Association and California Bar Association groups, including the Business Law Section Agri-
Business Committee.

MODERATORS

Tim Koide

Co-Founder, HarvestPort

Tim Koide is the Co-Founder of HarvestPort — a shared-economy platform for agriculture based in San Francisco. He previously worked for the Silicon Valley branch of the Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas). Tim received a BA from Brigham Young University, and an MA from the John Hopkins University SAIS. He lives in Mountain View, CA.

DATE

Thursday, March 31, 2016

REGISTRATION / NETWORKING: 5:30 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
PROGRAM: 6:00 P.M. – 8:15 P.M.
NETWORKING: 8:15 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
VENUE
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
650 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304
OPEN MAP
FLYERS

English Flyer
Japanese Flyer

FEES

$15: Early Bird Discount for first 30 registrations by March 15 (11PM)

$20: Regular Registration by Sunday, March 27 (11 PM)

$35: Late Registration by Wednesday, March 29 (Noon)

$50: Walk-ins (Seats are limited and may not be available)

Food, including sushi and beverages, will be served.