INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE OF AGRI-FOOD
Agri-food systems are large and complex with many actors – from the type of food we eat to the way it’s produced, transported, and delivered.
Consumers increasingly want to know more about the food they eat and the products they buy, but in order to provide a more transparent, safe, and sustainable food supply, we must improve connectivity and strengthen our food and agriculture systems.
DIAL is rethinking the agri-food sector by creating connections across fragmented ecosystems to deliver digital innovation and new businesses that meet specific industry needs, and in turn, provides consumers with access to healthy, affordable, sustainable, and transparent food.
We develop entrepreneurs and ideas to create and fund high-value startup companies for the agri-food industry.
AGTECH IMPACTS OUR WORLD
DIAL’s plan for successful startups begins with industry – a different approach from the norm in academia.
The road to drive innovation from research to the marketplace can be long and arduous. Businesses need discoveries translated quickly, and those innovations that can rapidly make it to market and meet industry needs will likely be successful.
Purdue is perfectly positioned to bring together industry, technology, faculty expertise, and Purdue assets to make this happen. DIAL will create innovative companies based on emerging trends and opportunities, using a rigorous and well-defined process to achieve success.
FELLOWS AS FOUNDERS
Even though automation, artificial intelligence, and IoT are the underlying enablers of digital innovation, the human talent needed to leverage these tools is even more important.
Our annual cohort of fellows enters with backgrounds across all industries and technologies, and through the DIAL process, generates novel ideas, engages agricultural industry partners, funds and launches their startup, and serves as founders in growing their business.
As a DIAL Fellow, you will build robust connections with industry experts and will be connected to investors, foundation program offices, policy specialists, and other entrepreneurs to grow and inform your business. You will engage with industry to identify critical needs and challenges, then work closely with Purdue faculty, staff, and students to discover potential ways to address those challenges.
As a venture studio, DIAL provides go-to-market assistance to help you discover the critical needs of the industry, the jobs that are needed, and the potential ideas that could become a successful business.
We provide research assistance to define your market and better understand customer needs and interests. DIAL will also help develop your narrative, improve your sales pipeline, and pitch with you. We’ll even make sure you have the right people, fill in on your advisory and fiduciary boards, and help you gain access to sources of capital.
TEAM
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