Driving the Future of Foodtech (STL TechWeek 2026)

TechSTL

Join us for the 4th Annual STL TechWeek with free events all across St. Louis on April 13th through the 17th

Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

STL TechWeek 2026

The 4th Annual STL TechWeek is taking over St. Louis on April 13 - 17, 2026 with free events all over the region. Attend one of the technical conferences or innovation gatherings hosted for free at venues across St. Louis.

<h3>Driving the Future of Foodtech</h3><a href="https://techstl.com/techweek/" title="https://techstl.com/techweek/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">STL TechWeek</a> | Hosted at the Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterThe future of food is being built at the intersection of data, AI, and advanced agricultural innovation, and St. Louis is at the center of it.Driving the Future of Foodtech brings together leaders across agriculture, crop science, food production, and consumer food systems to explore how emerging technologies are reshaping how we grow, produce, distribute, and experience food.The program begins with an opening keynote on the power of data and artificial intelligence to transform agricultural systems and accelerate innovation across the global food supply chain. Join us at the Danforth Plant Science Center to explore how technology is driving the next era of food innovation. <h3>Event Agenda</h3>8:30 - 9:00 AM -- Doors Open9:00 - 9:05 AM -- Welcome by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ochen/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ochen/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">John Chen</a>, CEO &amp; President of <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-eats-cafe/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-eats-cafe/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Urban Eats FoodHall &amp; Kitchen Incubator</a>9:05 - 9:40 AM -- Opening Keynote on "The Next Ingredient: Why AI Will Define the Future of Foodtech" by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jootey/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jootey/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Jo Otey</a>, Chief Architect for AI at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/sogeti/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/sogeti/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sogeti</a>The next wave of foodtech innovation will not be driven by data alone, but by the ability to turn that data into faster, smarter action. Discussing how AI is transforming the sector, from research and product development to supply chain decisions and market responsiveness. Attendees will hear how to think strategically about AI as both an innovation enabler and a competitive advantage.9:45 - 10:15 AM -- "Startup to Scale: Innovation at the Frontlines of Ag &amp; Food" A Panel<ul><li>Moderated by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickreinke/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickreinke/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Nick Reinke</a>, Director of Commercialization, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/taylorgeospatial/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/taylorgeospatial/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Taylor Geospatial</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-plummer-a68b427a/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-plummer-a68b427a/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Matt Plummer</a>, President &amp; CEO, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/saluna-inc/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/saluna-inc/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Saluna, Inc.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tovafeinberg/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tovafeinberg/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Tova Feinberg</a>, Founder, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/vertigreens/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/vertigreens/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">VertiGreens</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-witherbee-34561a3/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-witherbee-34561a3/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Bryan Witherbee</a>, CEO, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/agragene-inc/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/agragene-inc/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Agragene</a></li></ul>10:20 - 10:55 AM -- "AI in Action: How Industry Leaders Are Transforming Ag &amp; Food Systems" A Panel<ul><li>Moderated by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephregagnon/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephregagnon/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Stephanie Regagnon</a>, Executive Director, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-yield-lab-institute/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-yield-lab-institute/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Yield Lab Institute</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/moranmarkd/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/moranmarkd/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Mark Moran</a>, Head (VP) of Data, Systems, &amp; Intelligence for Plant Biotech, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/bayer/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/bayer/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Bayer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanpabst/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanpabst/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Stefan Pabst</a>, Expert Product Owner, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nestle-it/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nestle-it/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Nestle IT</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/luz-irina-a-calder%C3%B3n-villalobos-52a40521/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/luz-irina-a-calder%C3%B3n-villalobos-52a40521/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Luz Irina A. Calderón Villalobos</a>, Scientific Affairs Manager for the America's, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/kwsgroup/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/kwsgroup/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">KWS Group</a></li></ul>11:00 - 11:30 AM -- "Building the Pipeline: Powering the Next Generation of Food Innovators" A Panel<ul><li>Moderated by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennmolina/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennmolina/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Ben Molina</a>, Entrepreneurship Program Manager, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/cortex-innovation-district/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/cortex-innovation-district/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Cortex Innovation District</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ochen/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ochen/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">John Chen</a>, CEO &amp; President of <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-eats-cafe/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-eats-cafe/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Urban Eats FoodHall &amp; Kitchen Incubator</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnemichel/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnemichel/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">John Michel</a>, Co-Founder of <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-soulcial-solutions-foundation/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-soulcial-solutions-foundation/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Soulcial Kitchen</a> &amp; Food Truck Incubator</li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-moore-b9618a7/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-moore-b9618a7/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Adrian Moore</a>, SR Director of Merchandising Enablement &amp; Emerging Suppliers, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/schnuck-markets-inc-/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/company/schnuck-markets-inc-/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Schnuck Markets, Inc.</a></li></ul> 11:30 - 12:15 PM -- Optional Tours of 39North &amp; Danforth Plant Science Center (Separate onsite registration required)

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Driving the Future of Foodtech (STL TechWeek 2026)

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