IFPA Talks Tech Accelerator Focused on Climate-Smart Tech in Berlin

February 8, 2023

Washington D.C. and Newark, DE – International Fresh Produce Association is in Berlin, Germany this week for Fruit Logistica and will be onsite connecting with industry members on critical topics and initiatives including the Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator.

The Fresh Field Catalyst Program is following an incredibly successful year one with a second round of technology providers looking to enter the produce industry. The purpose of the program is to bring cutting-edge technologies to specialty crop production and distribution while providing an opportunity to meet with and learn from industry mentors to fast track development and adoption.

“After our success last year, we are so excited to welcome a new cohort of tech innovators to the produce industry,” said IFPA’s Vice President of Innovation, Vonnie Estes. “We’re focusing on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) as the common thread for this year’s participants. CSA is all about increasing the resiliency and productivity of agriculture without sacrificing profitability. Climate impacts are being felt across the world so it will require a global approach to addressing these changes, I’m thrilled to be at Fruit Logistica in Berlin this year to talk with our members and our industry about the Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator and the opportunities ahead.”

The Fresh Field Catalyst is currently accepting applications from companies with climate-smart technology products that can solve problems for the produce industry. These technologies should increase productivity in the supply chain, help farms and the produce supply chain adapt to climate change and reduce emissions. Last year’s program featured 12 companies from 8 countries who were matched with almost a dozen industry mentors. Each member of the program went through an immersion week in California where the participated in field tours and corporate visits.

Program participants have gone on to secure funding, partnerships and new relationships during and after their time in the accelerator. Vertical farming company, Netled has joined the IFPA council on Controlled Environment Agriculture; Sound Agriculture announced a $75m Series D equity investment; and Nexus Robotics Inc. has announced they earned a spot in SVG Ventures’ THRIVE II Accelerator Program to continue their work combining robotics and AI to remove weeds and treat diseased plants.

In addition to being on the ground at Fruit Logistica in Berlin during the week of February 6, Estes will also represent the IFPA accelerator at upcoming World AgriTech in March in San Francisco.. The panel will feature past accelerator participant, Kaitlin Fitzgerald, VP of sustainability from Sound Agriculture; Elliot Grant, CEO of Mineral; and Christina Rohr, managing director at S2G and one of the top investors in AgTech.

“Technology is the answer to solving some of the most complex challenges facing our industry,” said Estes. “Our industry provides nutritious and healthy food to all corners of the world, we take this mission seriously. We are committed to identifying and connecting the tech innovators who can help us drive our mission while reducing our footprint so they, too, can see the great potential in produce for both their businesses and our world.”

IFPA Talks Tech Accelerator Focused on Climate-Smart Tech in Berlin

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