Steve Forbes: Ag Companies Continue to Innovate
Steve Forbes, magazine mogul and millionaire, was in Des Moines, Iowa last week, where he talked about how agriculture is “globally interconnected.” He gave a keynote address at the Prairie Crest Capital Annual Ag Tech Investor Conference, which attracted more than 150 people.
Forbes spoke about the importance of technology in agriculture and the impact globalization has had on the industry, said a news release from Prairie Crest Capital.Steve Forbes, magazine mogul and millionaire, was in Des Moines, Iowa last week where he talked about how agriculture is “globally interconnected.” He gave a keynote address at the Prairie Crest Capital Annual Ag Tech Investor Conference, which attracted more than 150 people.
"Over the past 30 years, no industry has become more globally interconnected than agriculture," Forbes said. "Ag companies are continuing to innovate with cutting-edge research and development. However, they cannot succeed without capital. We lead the world by being better, smarter, and not being afraid to take risks. Now is the time to take risks and invest in these new technologies allowing companies and ideas to flourish."
A major theme of Forbes' address was how important it is for people to be willing to take risks and be an example for the rest of the industry. The rewards are great for those who take risks after researching and performing due diligence.
The purpose of the conference was to bring together investors with entrepreneurs, and to showcase the potential of the Midwest. Agricultural investors and innovators discussed a variety of topics and breaking edge technology during the conference, emphasizing the important role the Midwest must play in the ag tech investment effort. Companies at different business stages from across the country showcased their latest ideas featuring new technologies and advancements.
"Although the Midwest is home to approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population, top research universities, entrepreneurial talent, and Research and Development spending, the region receives less than five percent of venture capital investment. This conference was designed to connect the intellectual promise of the Midwest startup and entrepreneurial communities with the connected capital of the East and West Coasts to lead the way in changing this statistic," said Mark White, partner at Prairie Crest Capital. "The potential for this industry to grow and become even more revolutionary is vast..."
To view a video of Steve Forbes interview click here.
