The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on the cracks across our food system and showcased some of the tradeoffs we have made over the last century: efficiency at the cost of resiliency; scale at the expense of variety; price at the expense of value; globalization at the expense of our local communities. We are in a moment in time that offers massive challenges but also incredible opportunities. As the pandemic accelerates nascent trends, the space between leaders and laggards is expanding and providing an opportunity for new approaches, tools and services. The increasing role of technology in retail transcends the growth of e-commerce during the pandemic. It will impact not only where consumers buy, but how and why they buy. Food+Tech Connect and S2G Ventures are hosting a 4-part interactive conversation series exploring how we might reimagine retail. In this conversation, Walter Robb, former co-CEO of Whole Market, Audre Kapacinskas, VP at S2G Ventures, and Danielle Gould, founder of Food+Tech Connect, discuss how retailers might leverage cutting edge technologies and stakeholder-focused business models to build a 21st century food system. Learn more about the Reimagining Food Retail Conversation Series: https://bit.ly/reimagineretailseries

This program is part of Impact Entrepreneur's Building an Impact Economy Webinar Series. For more information, visit www.impactalchemist.com. Subscribe to our channel to be notified when new programs are posted. About this program: As emphasized in SDG 14, the stresses on the world's oceans are growing. Our climate is changing as global populations rapidly approach 8 billion people, with over 40% of them living near the coast. Demand for marine-based food continues to increase and the sea is also being used in new ways – from ocean farming to large-scale energy generation. The OECD estimates the size of the Blue Economy at over $1.5 trillion and on track to double by 2030. This combination of factors presents an acute need – as well as an opportunity – for new, scalable technologies and ventures that improve ocean sustainability. We are starting to see parallels to the macro drivers and global trends that launched Cleantech over 20 years ago and Food & Agriculture venture innovation about 10 years ago. Blue Economy spending and investment is increasing in a range of opportunities, including the decarbonization and electrification of shipping and ports, expansion of the aquaculture industry, and demand for marine renewable energy, coastal resiliency, “smart” urban waterfronts, and ocean biodegradable plastics. Just imagine the opportunities that apply to 71% earth’s surface when it is catching up to state-of-the-art technologies adapted from 29% of the surface. In the last few years, ocean specific incubators, angel investment groups, and VC funds have started to leap at the chance to make a good profit while supporting innovations with strong environmental and social impact. During this program, organized in partnership with SeaAhead, we discuss: How startup incubators, like SeaAhead’s BlueSwell program, can support the growth of bluetech entrepreneurs and open innovation for the ocean The perspective of an entrepreneur whose company has the potential to disrupt aquaculture supply chains by producing a sustainable, alternative feed What Angel Investors are looking for when they decide to invest in this nascent space The role that later stage investment is playing in the ocean technology ecosystem Adaptation of land-based technologies to ocean-based challenges and the overlap of investment opportunities

COVID-19 has had large scale impacts on the global food system, affecting everything from supply chains and markets to agriculture production and the labor force. Sara Menker of Gro Intelligence and Sanjeev Krishnan of S2G Ventures join Laura Reiley of The Washington Post to examine the current situation. In the face of system shocks, how are companies responding to the rising consumer demand and what are the lasting impacts? -------------------------------------- The Chicago Council on Global Affairs examines global issues, advances policy solutions, and fosters dialogue on what's happening in the world. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://engage.thechicagocouncil.org/youtube-subscribe View all videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/thechicagocouncil/featured Support the Council: https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/support Get email updates: https://engage.thechicagocouncil.org/p/global-insight-sign-up Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChicagoCouncil Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChicagoCouncil/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechicagocouncil #FoodSecurity #COVID19 #Agriculture

The founder of OpenTable, managing director of S2G Ventures, and Cal Poly alumnus on driving change through entrepreneurship.

AgFunder was joined by S2G Ventures to talk about the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic to the Food and Agriculture industry globally and the areas of innovation critical to building a healthier and more sustainable food system. This digitalk delves into research conducted by S2G that explores how the climate of changing consumer behavior coupled with supply chain pressures, will cause antifragile and resilient deflationary platforms and technologies to thrive. We discuss four innovation themes that are rising in criticality in the post-COVID world, including digitalization, decentralized food systems, deflationary decommoditization, and food as an immunity.

Sanjeev Krishnan, MD and Chief Investment Officer at S2G Ventures, sits down to discuss the competitive changing grocery store industry, disruption and scaling, and changes on the supply chain side. Watch the full BizCastHQ video to see him discuss capitalization in the industry, and more.

"Investing in Tomorrow’s Food and Agriculture" Aaron Rudberg, the Managing Director, S2G Ventures at the 2018 Agbioscience Innovation Summit-- Convergence in Indiana | Presented by: Corteva Agriscience & Elanco Animal Health | November 29, 2018 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis | www.agrinovusindiana.com/summit About Aaron Rudberg: Aaron Rudberg has worked in private equity and venture capital his entire professional career, and brings experience from all sides of the industry (Limited Partner, General Partner, and entrepreneur). Prior to joining S2G, Aaron spent nearly 10 years at Baird Capital where he was a Partner and Managing Director overseeing the global strategy, investor relations, marketing and business development for the $3.6 billion private equity and venture capital business. Aaron has eighteen years of private equity and entrepreneurial experience and is passionate about helping entrepreneurs build the next generation of leading companies. Aaron previously spent time at a private equity fund-of-funds and a venture capital firm. Early in Aaron’s career, he was an entrepreneur building a venture-backed software company that was acquired. Aaron received a BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Aaron is a member of the board of The Civic Federation, Adler Planetarium, and was named an Emerging Leader by the Chicago Council of Global Affairs in 2014. About: 2018 Indiana Agbioscience Innovation Summit: AG + BIO + SCIENCE: Convergence in Indiana. Presented by Corteva Agriscience + Elanco. On November 29, 2018, AgriNovus Indiana brought together over 450 industry and business leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, and students at the 2018 Indiana Agbioscience Innovation Summit. This year’s program focused on food and ag tech investment, the start-up journey, industry convergence and opportunities for continued Indiana leadership. This AgriNovus agbioscience video includes information about S2G Ventures, Venture Capital, food and agriculture, and the future of food and agriculture. If you're interested in why people should learn and care about agriculture and technology, subscribe to AgriNovus here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa4e4Zv3cNiDQQSncVP85xQ?sub_confirmation=1 ---- About AgriNovus Indiana: AgriNovus Indiana is the state’s initiative focused on advancing the agbiosciences sector as a nationally recognized leader through education, research, and talent development; strategic collaborations among corporations, industry associations, government, and universities; the creation and support of new companies; and branding and targeted promotions to elevate the sector. AgriNovus Indiana is part of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), an effort dedicated to the region’s continued prosperity and growth. #AgSummit18 #Venturefund #Seed2Growth AgriNovus Indiana: https://www.agrinovusindiana.com/ • Twitter: http://bit.ly/2GhwjYO • Facebook: http://bit.ly/2TFYuDR • Instagram: http://bit.ly/2BphfEE • LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/2GifMUn

The FAST FORWARD Summit will explore the people, ideas, and innovations that are changing our lives. Day two of the Summit will feature conversations on the future of food.