Rob LeClerc, Founder of AgFunder
Dr. Rob Leclerc is the cofounder of AgFunder, the premier online marketplace connecting accredited investors with quality Ag related companies from around the globe in this $6.4 Trillion industry.
According to Leclerc, investment in AgTech was relatively flat before 2013. Innovation in agriculture was concentrated in seed and biotechnology. Outside of seed genetics and crop inputs, most AgTech was typically bundled with Cleantech. But 2013 introduced a shift where AgTech grew 75 percent to reach $860 million across 119 deals. Leclerc reports that AgTech subsequently grew 170 percent in 2014 and continues to show strong investment in 2015.
Why makes AgFunder the premier channel for Ag and Ag-related projects?
While the open format incentivizes companies to be transparent with their offering and interactions, company profiles are standardized to make it easier for investors to research, compare and perform due diligence. AgFunder’s proprietary infographic format quickly and easily conveys complex information about listed companies. The transparent investment environment fosters peace of mind knowing that other investors are also committed.
Named to Forbes’ Magazine’s 2014 list of ‘Up-And-Comers’, Rob has been published in TechCrunch, Harvard Business Review, Financial Post, and Nature journals with hundreds of citations across publications. A popular keynote speaker, Rob sits on the advisory committee of the Ag Innovation Showcase has been interviewed by CNBC, Forbes, LA Times, Entrepreneur, FastCompany, and Reuters. Rob’s unique background includes earning five degrees, spanning Philosophy, Computer Science, and Computational Biology, including a PhD from Yale University.
Please join us on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at Stanford’s Cemex Auditorium to experience the momentum at our upcoming event, AgTech: Sand Hill Bets on Precision Agriculture. Tickets available at the door.
VLAB showcases startups that are developing disruptive solutions in a wide variety of subject areas. Join us at monthly events during the season.
This article was written by Cat Volz. Cat is part of the VLAB Marketing team.