Plug and Play Topeka: Officially Launches
Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play, a global innovation platform that specializes in creating industry-specific accelerator programs, today held its inaugural pitch competition event in the animal health and ag tech space. Ten early- and mid- stage startups from numerous U.S. states, Australia, Spain, the U.K. and Sweden pitched an audience of corporate executives, venture capitalists and media at the fast-paced online demo day.
Presenting companies have developed a variety of innovative products for the animal health and ag tech industry. These include smart health and GPS tracking software for dogs, smart ear tags for livestock and a universal pet identification microchip.
“With this Selection Day, we begin the first chapter of Plug and Play Topeka,” said Senior Vice President of Innovation at Go Topeka, Katrin Bridges. “Forging ahead alongside our influential and invaluable founding partners, Cargill, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Evergy, we are setting our sights on soon becoming a hub of innovation of the Midwest.”
Held virtually this year due to COVID-19, the biannual selection day event will normally be held in Topeka, Kan., the home of the new Animal Health/AgTech Accelerator.
The program aims to bring innovative startups from around the world to Kansas every six months, building upon the region’s fast-growing and robust animal health industry. The startups will go through three-month “accelerator” programs aimed at helping the businesses get off the ground. There is a 70 percent average success rate for companies that go through a Plug and Play accelerator program, measured in follow-on capital raised. Startups selected for the program will receive benefits including office space, mentorship, business development, pitch polishing, deal flow and potential investment.
Since its inception in 2006, Plug and Play’s programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 30 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 30,000 startups and 400 official corporate partners, Plug and Play has created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. The company provides active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs and hosts more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in the Plug and Play community have raised over $9 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal.
For more information, visit www.plugandplaytechcenter.com.
