The backing from MTC’s MOBEC program is a powerful validation of our mission to enable entrepreneurs to revolutionize the agrifood system. This partnership is not just a grant; it’s a shared commitment to growing agtech startups in the Missouri innovation ecosystem and making Missouri a premier destination for agtech startups. By leveraging and deploying MTC’s strategic support, we are enhancing our ability to provide world-class support and worldwide engagement to the innovators who are solving the industry’s most pressing challenges.

ARISE in St. Louis: A Trilateral Force for Innovation

February was a landmark month as YLI and the St. Louis region hosted the ARISE program (AgriTech for Resilience, Innovation & Sustainable Ecosystems). We welcomed a high-level delegation from LATAM and the UK to St. Louis for a week of intense collaboration. By bringing together leaders in science, investment, and policy, ARISE is working to catalyze research and commercial partnerships between St. Louis, the UK and Latin America. The group was welcomed by leaders and organizations across the St. Louis innovation ecosystem and spent significant time ideating project concepts that will make a meaningful impact in global agriculture. YLI is proud to be the U.S. strategic partner to global ARISE initiative.

"Innovation is not just about technology, but about building bridges between different realities."

Watch the ARISE Recap Video

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Empowering Central America: The AgriHub Journey 

In partnership with IDB Lab, we continue to drive the AgriHub project at Universidad Zamorano. We recently concluded a successful regional tour through Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, deepening our engagement with the 60 startups currently in the program. Our focus remains on climate resilience, digital adoption, and identifying scalable biotech solutions ready to transform the Central American agricultural landscape.

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Agri Innovation Roundtable México: Moving to the Field

Following an extensive global scouting process, we are officially moving into the pilot phase to optimize water efficiency in Mexican maize production.

This collaborative effort includes:

• Torreón: Launching pilots with CropX (Israel) and ChucaoTech (Chile) in partnership with Danone and Beta.
• Jalisco: Empowering over 150 smallholder dairy producers through yieldsApp (Israel).
• Transparency: All data will be centralized via the Auravant platform, ensuring real-time learning and measurable impact for all roundtable members.

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We hope to see you on the trail this spring - look us up on LinkedIn to connect!

Stephanie Regagnon, Executive Director, is speaking at the Animal AgTech Summit in Forth Worth (April) 

Ramsay Huntley, Head of Strategy and Innovation, is speaking at Invest Midwest in Kansas City (April)