Menu Close

Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Partners With Wells Fargo To Expand Innovation Incubator

  • September 26, 2018

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center recently announced a partnership with Wells Fargo and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to expand the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, in Missouri. The Danforth Plant Science Center will help the $30 million incubator, known as IN2, advance solutions aimed at the interconnection of food, water and energy by focusing on research and validation of sustainable agriculture technologies.

“We are extremely pleased to be working with an organization that deeply understands the trifecta of basic science, innovation and commercialization,” said Trish Cozart, IN2 program manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “We cannot wait to see the benefit our next round of portfolio companies will receive.”

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center will provide its “intellectual capital” and core facilities to help early-stage companies de-risk their technology and move forward in being able to raise capital. Companies selected for the program will receive $50,000 of non-dilutive funding and the Danforth Center will receive $200,000 to conduct research on their behalf.

“Companies that we would never have heard of, or had exposure to, St. Louis all of a sudden are getting their important research done here, and then we can make a case that maybe it makes a great story to move your company here and grow here,” said Sam Fiorello, chief operating officer at the Danforth Center.

Missouri is the global leader in agtech and gateway to the future of advanced farming. Missouri’s agtech industry is leading the way with innovative technology and research that is transforming agriculture.

For more information on Missouri’s agtech industry check out our industry webpage, or contact Steve Johnson, CEO of Missouri Partnership, at 314.725.2688 or via our contact form, with any questions you might have, and learn how Missouri Partnership can help with your business expansion needs.

What Next?