Find out at the ‘Future of Food’ panel at Techweek'18 Tauranga headline event, 10 Billion Mouths
What: 10 Billion Mouths
When: Wednesday 23 May
Where: ASB Baypark Arena, Tauranga
Tickets: Are still available here!
Techweek'18 will explore innovation that's good for the world. In no area is this topic more pressing than in food and agriculture. As the human population expands, we need to address how we'll feed some predicted 10 billion mouths by 2050.
On the Wednesday of Techweek (23 May), food and agritech experts will convene in Tauranga for a one-day conference covering the most pressing issues facing the industry. View the full line-up of speakers and agenda here.
The speakers for the final panel discussion of the day, Dinner in 2050 - The Future of Food, have now been announced. The discussion, and introductory talk by agritech venture capitalist Sanjeev Krishnan, will focus on the possibilities the future brings, offering examples of ways in which theory and research is already being applied in global markets
Meet the speakers:
Introducing the panel - Sanjeev Krishnan, chief investment officer and managing director of S2G Ventures
As an investor in Beyond Meat & Ripple - a company selling plant-based imitation animal protein and dairy alternatives -Sanjeev knows a thing or two about the disruption taking place in the food sector.
Sanjeev's worked in the agriculture and food company space for almost 20 years, and as managing director at S2g Ventures, is active in developing investments and managing portfolio companies. His portfolio work ranges from genetics, crop protection, soil health, digital/IoT, crop insurance, merchandising, indoor agriculture, novel flavour and ingredients, new protein development, unique processors and brands that will feed the changing consumer.
Eric O’Brien, co-founder and managing director of Fall Line Capital
As an investor in Impossible Foods - the company behind the famed imitation beef "Impossible Burger" - and other alternative protein companies, Eric is at the forefront of global food disruption.
Eric brings over 18 years of professional investment, financial services and operating experience to the firm. Prior to forming Fall Line with Clay Mitchell in 2011, Eric spent 12 years at Lightspeed Venture Partners, a top tier Silicon Valley venture capital firm with over $3 billion of assets under management. At Lightspeed, he was a managing director responsible for early and growth stage investments in technology and services companies in the U.S. and China.
Dr. Rosie Bosworth, Food Futurist
Both a strategic and creative thinker, Rosie’s work focuses on the intersection of technology, science and biotech and new global food systems. Rosie specifically carries rich and in-depth international insight and experience in alternative protein food systems as well as controlled environment (indoor) farming food.
Rosie divides her time between Auckland & San Francisco, where she has built up a strong and rare global network of leaders in the future of foods arena.
Rod Slater – CEO, Beef & Lamb New Zealand
Rod has been chief executive officer at Beef + Lamb New Zealand for 20 years now, joining the association in 1994. Recently, Rod has fronted the Quality Mark campaign alongside Chelsea Winter, playing the role of the butcher. However, fronting these ads comes quite naturally to Rod who is a butcher by trade. Rod started the Mad Butcher chain with Peter Leitch in the early 1980s, opening their first satellite store in Takapuna.
Todd Muller MP – National Party Spokesman on Climate Change
Before joining Parliament, Todd’s career experience included roles as a General Manager for Zespri, Chief Executive of Bay of Plenty company Apata, and most recently as Group Director Cooperative Affairs for Fonterra.
Todd is a former University of Waikato Councillor, and has sat on the boards of Plant & Food Research and the Sustainable Business Council.
The panel moderator – Rod Oram
Rod Oram is a New Zealand journalist writing on corporate, economic and political issues. He is a columnist for The Sunday Star-Times, a regular broadcaster on radio and television and a frequent public speaker.
The ‘Future of Food’ panel discussion is just one of six major sessions, featuring international and local speakers, taking place at the 10 Billion Mouths conference in Tauranga on 23 May. Get tickets!
If you have an interest in New Zealand’s primary sector, agritech and the future of our farming sector, this is one conference that you should not miss.
Main image: The entirely plant-based "Impossible Burger", designed to look and taste like a beef burger.