Agriculture Technology Sector Poised as Top Opportunity by Venture Capital Fund

Open Prairie Ventures believes the United States' greatest opportunities exist i
n the agriculture technology field. Known as Agriculture 2.0, the venture capita
l firm sees tech-level returns funding the input side of the farmer's market.
Effingham, IL - December 03, 2010 -- There is a new wave in the old business of
agriculture. It's known as High Yield Farming, aka Agriculture 2.0. And it's dra
wing big interest from Silicon Valley venture funds. These funds recognize that
investments in technology to improve agriculture are sound philosophies that pro
duce both exceptional crop and financial yields.
Open Prairie Ventures from Effingham, Illinois has been quietly leading the char
ge of mid-America Venture Capital firms funding the yellow brick road of Agricul
ture 2.0.
"Current projections are that the food supply will need to double over the next
30 years to feed the ever-increasing demands of the global population," said Jim
Schultz, Founder and Managing Partner of Open Prairie Ventures (http://www.Open
Prairie.com). "If we are going to increase our food supply by 100% in the next t
hirty years, this demand for growth will be fueled by safe agricultural technolo
gies that increase crop yields on less land."
Innovation in Agriculture has renewed interest in investment opportunities. It i
s unquestionable that technological improvements in the last thirty years have i
mproved productivity in the agricultural sector. Schultz believes that process i
s only beginning.
"The rapid changes in technology have created investments related to:
1) Quality Control Processes
2) New market developments
3) Reduced labor costs
4) Improved production processes
5) Reduced environmental damage
6) Reduced energy consumption
"And several other game changers," says Schultz.
He and and his team have spent the last decade exploring agricultural technology
companies ranging from non-toxic pesticides to indoor urban farming systems. In
that time frame, they have funded numerous companies who met their criteria and
shared their entrepreneurial outlook. Schultz shares some of the reasons behind
the founding of Open Prairie Ventures in a new YouTube video at http://www.yout
ube.com/watch?v=SL2ZtS8y77A
"The input side of the business is most compelling as we contemplate how to driv
e better outputs. In other words, we are interested in improving crop yields. We
are agnostic as to how the crop is eventually used in the supply chain," insist
ed Schultz. "Being a Midwest-based early stage venture fund, Open Prairie Ventur
es is perfectly positioned to build a solid portfolio of investments that focus
on this powerful global dynamic."
For more information on Open Prairie Ventures please visit: http://www.OpenPrair
ie.com/About.html
About Open Prairie Ventures:
Open Prairie Advisors was created to leverage its Principals' combined expertise
of over 50 years in assisting small and middle-market companies navigate the pa
th to building successful, entrepreneurial companies. As entrepreneurs themselve
s, the Principals of Open Prairie Advisors have developed a keen understanding o
f the challenges that entrepreneurs must confront. The firm is known for both di
scovering high-potential businesses and helping their management successfully im
plement solution-focused strategies. The company's approach works for firms duri
ng both recessionary and expansionary economic environments across the agricultu
ral marketplace. For more information, visit http://www.OpenPrairie.com or call
217.347.1000.
Press Contact:
Jim Schultz
Managing Partner
Open Prairie Ventures
400 East Jefferson
Effingham, IL 62401
Main Office: 217.347.1000
Info@OpenPrairie.com
http://www.OpenPrairie.com