A4IP Flagship Event 2025: Innovating Agri-Food Research & Development Models for a Changing Landscape

A4IP Flagship Event 2025: Innovating Agri-Food Research & Development Models for a Changing Landscape

As science and innovation enter a period of rapid transformation, new models of collaboration, investment, and impact are urgently needed. The third annual Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) Flagship Event offers a front-row seat to this global shift. 

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download the event booklet and agenda

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Held under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and hosted at the headquarters of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in Rome, the event convenes leaders from research, industry, government, finance, and the startup world to explore how bold ideas in agrifood, climate, and sustainability can move from breakthrough to scale.

This event goes beyond conversation—it's a catalyst for action. With a sharp focus on Ideation, Development, and Deployment, the agenda is designed to unpack how science-based innovation can become market-ready, policy-aligned, and community-driven. 

Participants will dive into key topics including: 

  • Emerging trends in agricultural and climate innovation—genomics, regenerative practices, AI-driven R&D, and more 
  • New research and commercialization models through open innovation and venture-science 
  • De-risking development and building capacity for a new generation of scientific entrepreneurs 
  • Strategies for international collaboration and tech transfer that accelerate real-world deployment 

Integrated throughout the day, the Startup Arena will bring this journey to life—spotlighting cutting-edge ventures through live pitches and hands-on engagement. Here, innovators meet funders, scientists, and policymakers to forge the cross-sector partnerships needed to scale impact. 

Mission 

This event is about more than ideas—it’s about action. We aim to: 

  • Bridge research and impact through cross-sector dialogue 
  • Spotlight transformative trends in agrifood innovation 
  • Accelerate investment in and adoption of high-impact solutions 

What to Expect 

Expect a fast-paced, high-energy day where science meets entrepreneurship and insight meets action. The agenda is built to inspire, provoke, and connect, featuring: 

  • Fireside Chats with top voices in industry and innovation 
  • Panels exploring ideation, financing, and deployment strategies 
  • Startup Pitch Showcases from the A4IP RAMP accelerator, Eatable Ventures, and beyond 
  • Rapid-fire case studies on what works—and what doesn’t 
  • Data snapshots that decode the current agritech investment landscape 
  • Curated networking with investors, scientists, startups, and public sector leaders 
  • Startup Arena featuring interactive booths, product demos, and game-changing solutions ready for scale 

Let’s rewire the future of agrifood innovation—together. 

Held Under the Patronage of

MAECI logo

In collaboration with

 

Speakers

Alberto Barbari

Board Member and Regional Vice President for Italy, Eatable Adventures

Annette Schneegans

Deputy Permanent Representative – Head of UN Section, EU Delegation to the UN Organisations in Rome

Brando Okolo

Head of Science Technology and Innovation, African Union Development Agency - NEPAD

Charlotte Verburg

First Secretary of Water and Food Security Advisor, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Niger

Chris J Kettle

Principal Scientist, Lead Tree Biodiversity for Resilient Landscapes

Filippo Lonardo

Deputy Head of Unit for Finance for Development, Environment and Digital, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Dorothy Shaver

Global Foods Sustainability Lead, Unilever Food Business Group

Elliott Grant

Visiting Fellow, Cambridge University Institute for Manufacturing

Elzandi Oosthuizen

SVP, Head Enterprise Corn Product Team Crop Science Division – Bayer

Federico Ronca

Lead, Data and Digital Solutions, Food and Water, World Economic Forum

Lisa Blangy

Deputy Director of the Directorate for Science Impact and Marketing (DIMS) CIRAD

Mohamed Wageih

Project Officer, PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area)

Fernando Cantão

Crop Physiology & Food Security, Fundraising, Technology Transfer & Innovation (ICGEB)

Elisa Pettinati

Technical Officer at the Rural Development and Food Security Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)