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Oct. 12, 2026 Source: FARMCON news release Kansas City, MO -- Agricultural startups seeking capital and candid market feedback will get both in the same room at the FARMCON 2027 Startup Arena and Pitch Competition, held Jan. 6-7, 2027, at the Loews Hotel Kansas City. Selected founders will pitch to venture capitalists, angel investors and industry experts, with an audience of cutting-edge farmers and ranchers looking on. Most early-stage ag companies face two separate tests: convincing investors the business can scale, and convincing growers their product more than pays for itself. During the FARMCON Startup Arena event, investors will evaluate commercial potential while farmers will measure innovations for operational fit and return on investment. Presenting companies will span areas such as precision technology, rural connectivity, biologicals, supply chains, agrifinance, land management and animal agriculture. For investors, the format surfaces companies that have already faced customer scrutiny. For farmers, it offers an early look at tools that could improve productivity and margins. The Right People in the Room "Founders and the startups they lead need to hear from the people who will buy and use what they're building," said Kevin VanTrump, Founder of FARMCON. "While an investment is important, it also goes beyond the check. It's about having the right people in your corner. The Startup Arena is about all of that." Startup representatives will deliver pitches to a panel drawn from venture investing, investment banking, law, energy development and production agriculture: Carter Williams of iSelect Fund; Bob Trogele of Verdelis Investments; Jon Hjelm of Piper Sandler; Jay Felton of Lathrop GPM LLP; Bob Nimocks of Zeus Development Corporation; and Nathan Faleide of Boundri and Faleide Farms. The grand prize winner will receive a cash award, with the amount to be announced, and the opportunity to present on FARMCON's main stage. Companies do not need to finish in the top three to benefit; investment conversations that begin at the event are open to every participating startup. FARMCON has helped agricultural startups raise more than $100 million since 2018. Past participants point to the quality of the farmer audience as the difference. "We came to FARMCON 4 years ago when we were a couple of years into business, scrapping to get by," said Mitch Eviston, CEO of Meristem Crop Performance. "What this conference has done to help build Meristem is immeasurable. I don't know of another event in ag that gives you an opportunity to interface with a high level of quality farmers." Signup Details Startup participation is $2,500 and includes one full-conference ticket, a 10-by-10-foot exhibitor booth in the Startup Arena and a 15-minute competition pitch. Founders who require affordable assistance in developing or refining pitch decks, strategic preparation or booth deployment can contact Stratovation Group. Send inquiries to Cam Camfield at cam@stratovationgroup.com. The registration deadline for the FARMCON Startup Arena is Thanksgiving, November 26. To sign up for the event, contact Jeff Caldwell at jcaldwell@stratovationgroup.com or Mace Thornton at mace@stratovationgroup.com. About FARMCON FARMCON, the Conference for Creative Minds in Agriculture, brings together producers, agribusiness leaders, investors and entrepreneurs to share ideas and new technology for growing farm and ranch operations. The 2027 conference takes place Jan. 6-7 at the Loews Hotel Kansas City. Startup Arena programming is coordinated with Stratovation Group. Tweet |
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