Six Startups Selected for Breakthrough Innovations
SPRINGDALE, Ark., July 19, 2022 – Tyson Ventures, the venture capital arm of Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN), hosted its first-ever Demo Day event for sustainability entrepreneurs and startups to pitch innovative solutions for a more sustainable food system. Six companies have now been selected to receive mentorship and other partnership opportunities with Tyson Foods.
“This effort is surfacing the best and brightest innovations to tackle complex industry challenges,” said John R. Tyson, EVP, and chief sustainability officer of Tyson Foods. “We’re excited about the promise each startup brings to create a comprehensive approach to sustainable food production.”
The startup companies showcased solutions including greenhouse gas emission reduction, reducing food waste, animal welfare, regenerative agriculture, packaging, soil health, water management and more. Of the twenty participants, the following six companies will receive mentorship and other partnership opportunities with Tyson Foods:
- AgThera – developers of innovative antimicrobial live biotherapeutics that facilitate the sustainable production of livestock.
- BioIonix Inc. – a technology platform company that develops, manufactures, and distributes proprietary electrolytic systems to eliminate biological and chemical contaminants from water.
- FR8relay – a transportation company working to create a more efficient, profitable, equitable and sustainable trucking logistics ecosystem.
- Grain4Grain – a technology firm that specializes in valorizing and upcycling a variety of food byproducts into food-safe ingredients and products for use in materials and cosmetics.
- Tangible Robotics Inc. – a robotics manufacturer offering the possibility to automate tasks requiring true dexterity and manipulation abilities, beyond simple pick-and-place.
- Vanguard Renewables – a national leader in developing food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects that decarbonize supply chains.
Tyson Demo Day was created to identify and ultimately invest in breakthrough, sustainable technologies to help Tyson Foods reach its sustainability goals. More than 120 applicants from 23 countries presented their sustainability solutions and were evaluated based on alignment with Tyson Ventures’ investment strategy. A team of Tyson Foods’ senior leadership and Ventures Innovation Partners narrowed the field to twenty participants for Tyson Demo Day and served as an executive panel to determine outcomes from the final event presentations.
"There's tremendous talent and innovation in these early startups, and Tyson Foods has an opportunity to learn by collaborating with these young tech companies to create movements poised to disrupt the marketplace,” said Veronica Tapis Banuelos, maintenance planner at Tyson Foods Storm Lake and Demo Day executive panelist. “There is strength in unity - working alongside companies whose visions align with our promise for a better tomorrow.”
Follow the Tyson Ventures LinkedIn account to stay up to date on engagement with these partners and their solutions. A full list of Demo Day participants is listed below with more information available at www.tysonfoods.com/ventures.
Since its inception in 2016, Tyson Ventures has invested more than $100 million in startups and other companies focused on emerging proteins, new technologies for food and worker safety and sustainable food production.
2022 Tyson Demo Day Participants:
- 8 Food Syndicate
- AgThera
- Appert
- Bioionix, Inc.
- Birds Eye Robotics
- Currant 3D
- Evolved Meats
- FloWaste Inc
- FR8relay
- Grain4Grain
- Greenpack Technologies
- Haystack Ag
- Lemna
- Livestock Water Recycling
- P&P Optica
- SIEV Technologies
- Tangible Robotics Inc.
- Urban Tiller Pte Ltd
- Vanguard Renewables
- Water Warriors Inc
About Tyson Ventures
Tyson Ventures is the venture capital arm of Tyson Foods, Inc., one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Tyson Ventures aims to be the strategic partner of disruptive innovators transforming the food industry and providing sustainable nutrition to a growing global population. Tyson Ventures focuses investments in three strategic areas – emerging proteins, enabling technologies and innovations that empower people, protect our planet and cultivate smart, responsible agriculture.
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world's largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under four generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it's available and raise the world's expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company had approximately 137,000 team members on Oct. 2, 2021. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.
###
MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly Hellbusch | kelly.hellbusch@tyson.com | 281-799-9784