FOOD FRONTIER AGRIFOODTECH INNOVATION CLUSTER
The Food Frontier Innovation Cluster contains a broad range of across a 15 county region in California. The goal of this cluster is to encourage collaboration, filling gaps in the innovation process and providing support to the AgriFoodTech entreprenuers across the region.
This cluster is lead by AgStart and is provided under a contract with the U.S. Small Business Administration
This cluster is lead by AgStart and is provided under a contract with the U.S. Small Business Administration
Food Fronteir Innovation Cluster Members
Aggie Square is where university, industry and community come together to create oppportunities for everyone. This planned innovation district on UC Davis’ Sacramento campus will be home to research programs, private industry partners, classrooms, housing, and public-facing programs that engage local communities and entrepreneurs.
AgStart is a nonprofit organization that supports agriculture and food entrepreneurs who are commercializing innovative technologies for a better future.
Bayer LifeHub Growers face enormous pressure each year to increase yield, better the environment and meet consumer demands, all while keeping their operation profitable. To keep up with these demands, innovation is key, and together we must continue to evolve and change with new technologies. To help growers adapt and evolve faster, Bayer Vegetable Seeds has created and implemented new and advanced breeding technologies to keep up with the evolution of plant breeding.
BEAM Circular BEAM Circular is building a vibrant regional ecosystem for the circular bioeconomy in California’s agricultural heartland, the North San Joaquin Valley. We are facilitating collaboration and catalyzing action through the BioEconomy, Agriculture, and Manufacturing (BEAM) Initiative, a portfolio of public and private projects designed to scale the most promising innovations in bioindustrial manufacturing and to advance solutions that support economic and environmental outcomes for local communities.
The Carlsen Center for Innovation & EntrepreneurshipWe serve as a regional hub and platform for providing approachable and accessible entrepreneurial education, community, and support to enable startup founders of all backgrounds to explore and launch their businesses.
ChicoSTART's mission is to empower entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses throughout Northern California by fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and providing the resources, training, and the shared workspace space they need to succeed. We're committed to breaking down barriers to access and ensuring entrepreneurship is within reach for everyone.
Fourth Wave is a leading accelerator for female tech entrepreneurs. We are committed to changing the narrative around gender equity, and a core part of that story is seen through an economic lens. Investing in women is one of the most effective ways to reduce inequality and increase economic growth. FourthWave creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to chart a new course in business culture with an innovative curriculum designed to facilitate our entrepreneurs’ growth as impactful, conscious leaders.
Growth Factory We help early stage startups rapidly progress from minimum viable product (MVP) to product market fit. Then, we work with them to build the funding case and leadership capacity to attract the capital and team needed to support scaling a high growth company.
Inventopia focuses on providing resources for "tough tech" companies - those that require up-front R&D, prototyping and testing. The paradox for tough tech entrepreneurs is that doing this kind of development work is expensive; yet it is hard to raise capital if you haven't already done that work. Inventopia exists to break this paradox. We provide low-cost access to cutting edge laboratory and prototyping technologies so that you can spend less time and money on raising money, and more time on "doing the work".
Life Science Innovation Center Access to lab space and equipment is the most critical and immediate need for life science startups working to transition technologies into commercial applications. LSIC has a mission to strengthen the life sciences innovation ecosystem by fostering ground-breaking ideas, inspiring collaboration, supporting entrepreneurship, and driving social and economic impact. LSIC has a vision to promote innovation and accelerate the translation of life science research to create impactful solutions.
LifeSpace Labs Flexible wet lab incubator, office workspace, shared lab equipment, meeting rooms, and growth support. Open your door to innovation with LifeSpace Labs.
The Reservoir By providing strategic funding, industry connections, and cutting-edge facilities—ranging from state-of-the-art labs to real-world testing grounds—we empower entrepreneurs to bring their visions to life. We help startups using AI, automation and bioengineering to solve critical challenges faced by rural markets—whether it’s agricultural sustainability, improving disaster preparedness, or enhancing resource utilization. Together, we’re creating scalable, tech-driven solutions that stimulate local economies and generate high-quality career opportunities in rural areas, unlocking new growth for long term resilience.
ThermoGenesis mission is to ensure the future benefit of cell and gene therapy to everyone in need through reduction of drug manufacturing cost and increased patient accessibility.
AgStart is a nonprofit organization that supports agriculture and food entrepreneurs who are commercializing innovative technologies for a better future.
Bayer LifeHub Growers face enormous pressure each year to increase yield, better the environment and meet consumer demands, all while keeping their operation profitable. To keep up with these demands, innovation is key, and together we must continue to evolve and change with new technologies. To help growers adapt and evolve faster, Bayer Vegetable Seeds has created and implemented new and advanced breeding technologies to keep up with the evolution of plant breeding.
BEAM Circular BEAM Circular is building a vibrant regional ecosystem for the circular bioeconomy in California’s agricultural heartland, the North San Joaquin Valley. We are facilitating collaboration and catalyzing action through the BioEconomy, Agriculture, and Manufacturing (BEAM) Initiative, a portfolio of public and private projects designed to scale the most promising innovations in bioindustrial manufacturing and to advance solutions that support economic and environmental outcomes for local communities.
The Carlsen Center for Innovation & EntrepreneurshipWe serve as a regional hub and platform for providing approachable and accessible entrepreneurial education, community, and support to enable startup founders of all backgrounds to explore and launch their businesses.
ChicoSTART's mission is to empower entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses throughout Northern California by fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and providing the resources, training, and the shared workspace space they need to succeed. We're committed to breaking down barriers to access and ensuring entrepreneurship is within reach for everyone.
Fourth Wave is a leading accelerator for female tech entrepreneurs. We are committed to changing the narrative around gender equity, and a core part of that story is seen through an economic lens. Investing in women is one of the most effective ways to reduce inequality and increase economic growth. FourthWave creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to chart a new course in business culture with an innovative curriculum designed to facilitate our entrepreneurs’ growth as impactful, conscious leaders.
Growth Factory We help early stage startups rapidly progress from minimum viable product (MVP) to product market fit. Then, we work with them to build the funding case and leadership capacity to attract the capital and team needed to support scaling a high growth company.
Inventopia focuses on providing resources for "tough tech" companies - those that require up-front R&D, prototyping and testing. The paradox for tough tech entrepreneurs is that doing this kind of development work is expensive; yet it is hard to raise capital if you haven't already done that work. Inventopia exists to break this paradox. We provide low-cost access to cutting edge laboratory and prototyping technologies so that you can spend less time and money on raising money, and more time on "doing the work".
Life Science Innovation Center Access to lab space and equipment is the most critical and immediate need for life science startups working to transition technologies into commercial applications. LSIC has a mission to strengthen the life sciences innovation ecosystem by fostering ground-breaking ideas, inspiring collaboration, supporting entrepreneurship, and driving social and economic impact. LSIC has a vision to promote innovation and accelerate the translation of life science research to create impactful solutions.
LifeSpace Labs Flexible wet lab incubator, office workspace, shared lab equipment, meeting rooms, and growth support. Open your door to innovation with LifeSpace Labs.
The Reservoir By providing strategic funding, industry connections, and cutting-edge facilities—ranging from state-of-the-art labs to real-world testing grounds—we empower entrepreneurs to bring their visions to life. We help startups using AI, automation and bioengineering to solve critical challenges faced by rural markets—whether it’s agricultural sustainability, improving disaster preparedness, or enhancing resource utilization. Together, we’re creating scalable, tech-driven solutions that stimulate local economies and generate high-quality career opportunities in rural areas, unlocking new growth for long term resilience.
ThermoGenesis mission is to ensure the future benefit of cell and gene therapy to everyone in need through reduction of drug manufacturing cost and increased patient accessibility.