Great Forces Unite to Strengthen Desert Agriculture: Frontier RNG Expands Its Third Cohort to Nevada
As the world grapples with climate change and population pressure, there has never been a better time to promote transformative agricultural technologies. Against this backdrop, Frontier RNG proudly announces the third edition of its successful innovation program, the START AgriTech Scale-Up, led by Arieli Innovate. This year, the program is expanding its footprint. The events kick off at Atwood Plaza in St. George, Utah on March 31st- April 1st and continues in Las Vegas, Nevada at UNLV’s Blackfire April 2nd-3rd 2025. These events aim to connect leading AgriTech startups with agriculture and climate leaders across the globe, to facilitate cross-border collaboration and growth.
The START AgriTech program has been an integral part of agricultural innovation between Utah and Israel since its inception. With partnerships spanning leading institutions such as Utah Tech University, UNLV, Haifa Group, Exit Ventures, the World Trade Center Utah and Utah Innovation Fund it has facilitated over 14 cross country commercial deals. It has supported 19 startups from 12 countries, and connected innovators with over 120 international experts and investors.
This year’s cohort will focus on ways to advance desert tech, precision farming, plant health and nutrition, agrivoltaics, regenerative agriculture, sustainability and WaterTech – all of which are becoming increasingly important in the face of global food security and resource management challenges. By facilitating connections between startups and other stakeholders, START AgriTech aspires to create a substantial impact within the Intermountain Innovation Hub.
The program’s expansion comes at an important time, as the agricultural industry continues to evolve with the help of advances in generative AI, precision farming, drones, and predictive analytics. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global food production must rise by 60 percent by 2050, and conventional farming techniques cannot produce the needed increment.
The market for precision farming was valued at $8.7 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $21.4 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%. However, many companies, including small-to-mid-sized farms and agricultural enterprises—have not yet adopted disruptive technologies like GPS-guided systems and advanced sensors, which are making farming more precise, efficient, and sustainable.
"The START AgriTech program has established itself as a unique platform that successfully bridges the gap between innovative startups and global opportunities," said Yariv Erez, CEO of Frontier RNG. "Its value doesn’t just lie in fostering groundbreaking ideas but in its capability to forge lasting connections between viable startups and engaged partners. It is truly wonderful to have a platform that delivers significant value to all stakeholders."
Jamie Schwartz, Economic Development & Technology Commercialization, UNLV Office of Economic Development, added, "We are excited to partner with Frontier to identify and help develop and deploy innovative companies that will help improve agriculture and food security in our region and around the world. Programs like START AgriTech reveal the importance of and the value of creating sustainable solutions for the future."
Michael Lacourse, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Utah Tech University, shared, "Utah has established itself as the startup state and a global innovator. Through these partnerships, we are showcasing our ability to lead in critical sustainability, conservation, and resilience efforts."
For market-ready startups in the seed to Series A stages, START AgriTech is an opportunity for participants to connect with investors, conduct pilot collaborations, and present their innovations at the Black Fire Innovation center. AgriTech innovators are encouraged to apply—applications are expected to close by January 31st, 2025. For more information click here.
About Frontier:
Frontier RNG is an AgriTech Business Center driving innovation in desert agriculture, climate solutions, and food security. Based in the heart of Ramat Negev, Israel, Frontier is a partnership between the Arieli Group and the Ramat Negev Regional Council, promoting knowledge-sharing and global agricultural solutions.
With 250 acres of dedicated research facilities and a team of PhD researchers, Frontier is home to over 20 globally spread startups, Frontier advances pilots and commercial projects in the USA, bridging local innovation with global needs, empowering farmers, and driving sustainable progress. Learn more at frontierng.com.
Media Person:
Nataf Dgani
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SOURCE Frontier RNG
Shandor Brenner is an American journalist recognized for his sharp and insightful reporting on social and political issues. His work is known for its depth, integrity, and the ability to highlight critical societal concerns.