SAN FRANCISCO & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Rabobank and RocketSpace announced the addition of two new corporate collaborators to Terra, the Food + Ag Tech Accelerator, and the official opening of startup applications. Givaudan and Grupo Azucarero México will join Terra, alongside other progressive corporate leaders and the industry’s most disruptive startups, to fuel cross industry innovation. At its foundation, the program combines RocketSpace's global tech ecosystem and startup network with Rabobank’s food and agribusiness leadership and expertise.
Terra was designed to play a pivotal role in the rapidly growing ecosystem surrounding food and agriculture startups by addressing an untapped opportunity to enable collaborative innovation between corporations and startups. The joining of these global companies represents the partnership potential that makes the program’s approach entirely unique – the opportunity for corporations and startups to work hand in hand on real-life product testing and go-to-market solutions. Unlike other accelerator programs, Terra immerses participants in the innovation process, helping guide the products' evolution and providing real-time feedback throughout pilot testing.
“We are very excited to have Grupo Azucarero México and Givaudan join the Terra team. Both brands represent true innovation in their field, and I have no doubt that they will provide invaluable guidance and international exposure to the participating startups,” said Rabobank North America Head of Startup Innovation, Manuel Gonzalez.
Headquartered in Switzerland with local presence in over 80 locations, Givaudan is the global leader in the creation of flavors and fragrances. In close collaboration with food, beverage, consumer product and fragrance partners, Givaudan develops tastes and scents that delight consumers across the world. Grupo Azucarero México is one of Mexico’s largest sugar producers with a solid position as a low-cost, vertically integrated, and diversified player in the LATAM region. Vertical integration includes green energy production using sugar cane bagasse, as well as sugar cane growth for self-fulfillment of its mills.
“Changing the way we grow, prepare and distribute food is a huge undertaking but also a huge opportunity,” said Duncan Logan, founder and CEO of RocketSpace. “Innovation flows like water – into the easiest spaces first. Food and ag is not one of those spaces, but with open collaboration between emerging startups and global brands, we will see significant advancements in innovation.”
Starting today through January 18, 2017, the program is open for applications at www.terraaccelerator.com. Selected startups will have the unique opportunity to work from RocketSpace’s tech campus in downtown San Francisco, among its curated community of more than 150 startup members. The eight-week tailored curriculum, led by industry experts, will allow startups to sharpen their product and pitch before the eight-week product validation phase. Interested food and ag startups can learn more about qualifications and apply here. No financial equity is required to participate.
About Rabobank
Rabobank Group is a global financial services leader providing wholesale and retail banking, leasing, and real estate services in more than 40 countries worldwide. Founded over a century ago, Rabobank today is one of the world’s largest banks in the world with over $750 billion in assets. In the Americas, Rabobank is a premier bank to the food, agribusiness and beverage industry, providing sector expertise, strategic counsel and tailored financial solutions to clients across the entire food value chain. Additional information is available on our North America Wholesale Banking website or on our social media platforms, including Twitter and LinkedIn.
About RocketSpace
RocketSpace is a technology campus headquartered in the heart of San Francisco. Since 2011, the company has been helping tech entrepreneurs, startups and corporate innovation professionals bring the future to market. The company offers services to its members including programming, consulting, events, and office-as-a-service, which together create the perfect ecosystem and community for innovation to thrive. Select startup alumni include Uber, Spotify, Practice Fusion, and Leap Motion, and RocketSpace's roster of Corporate Innovation Services clients include Schneider Electric, Converse, Tata Communications, Royal Bank of Scotland, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, Samsung, and ABinBev. For more information, visit RocketSpace.com, as well as the RocketSpace Twitter and LinkedIn.
