A Memorandum of Understanding formalizes a new business relationship focused on AgTech and FoodTech between St. Louis and Dijon, France.

The international partnership connects the St. Louis and Burgundy regions’ AgTech ecosystems at both the private and public sector levels by providing an open door for French AgTech and FoodTech companies to enter the U.S. market via St. Louis, and for St. Louis-based AgTech and FoodTech companies to access the French market.

The agreement was brokered through GlobalSTL, the international company attraction initiative of BioSTL, and AgrOnov, a leading accelerator of Agricultral innovation in France.

It is part of GlobalSTL’s strategy to leverage St. Louis’ globally-recognized agriculture innovation ecosystem to attract international businesses that can benefit from locating their USA business in St. Louis to access the U.S. Midwest agricuture market.

In addition to this private-sector MOU, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership also has entered into an MOU with the Regional Economic Agency of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (AER -BFC) to align local government priorities and actions.

These new partnerships are the result of an exploratory trip organized for GlobalSTL by Business France and the AER-BFC in May 2017. A delegation of French AgTech companies also attended the Ag Showcase in St. Louis in September 2017.

Since then, three French AgTech startups already have begun to explore entering the St. Louis market, and one St. Louis company is exploring the French/EU market.

“These partnerships reflect a common line of action aiming to foster the development of innovative companies in the field of agriculture – both in the U.S. and in France,” Arnaud Marthey, AER BFC President, said.

“The St. Louis area in the United States, like the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in France, has a very rich ecosystem of innovative players in AgTech/Biotech and entrepreneurship. Close collaboration offers an optimal way for French companies to develop abroad and it builds a bridge for shared innovation between North America and France.”

Making the Case for Collaboration

“France joins the growing constellation of international AgTech ecosystems now connected with St. Louis.” Vijay Chauhan, GlobalSTL Lead, said. “AgrOnov and GlobalSTL are the perfect navigators for their respective world-class agriculture innovation and production ecosystems – providing the glue that will connect the Dijon/Burgundy region and the St. Louis/Midwest region through agriculture innovation.”

AgrOnov’s mission is to be a preferred destination and a place of convergence for entrepreneurs, researchers and investors in the field of agriculture, globally. AgrOnov gives its incubator companies the opportunity to develop the network they need to boost their growth.

President of AgrOnov, Pierre Guez, said, “AgrOnov brings together farmers, scientists, investors and entrepreneurs around the agriculture of tomorrow.”

St. Louis & U.S. AgTech/FoodTech Market

St. Louis is located in the heart of one of the largest agricultural production and innovation ecosystems in the world – a key gateway for new AgTech products to enter the market. Home to more plant scientists than any other region in the world, St. Louis offers French AgTech startups an advantaged location to connect to a rich array of unique and valuable assets, talent, relationships and investors.

In order to enable French companies to seize opportunities on the North American market, AgrOnov is establishing this partnership in St. Louis to facilitate interactions between the companies in its network and industry leaders.

Burgundy, France & St. Louis Startups

This partnership increases the potential for St. Louis-based AgTech startups and companies to expand and develop agribusiness in France, the European leader in the field of agriculture. Its know-how is widely respected, especially in agroecology and precision farming.

St. Louis companies are sought after to help the large Bourgogne and Franche-Comté region meet agricultural challenges.