Tyson Ventures seeks applicants for Demo Day

Tyson Ventures, the venture capital arm of Springdale-based meat producer Tyson Foods, is accepting applications for its first pitch event for sustainability entrepreneurs and startups.

Tyson Demo Day will take place virtually on July 11, and selected participants can demonstrate how their solutions could help create a more sustainable food system. The event aims to identify and ultimately invest in breakthrough, sustainable technologies that can help Tyson Foods reach its sustainability goals.

The selected companies will pitch their solutions to a group of Tyson Foods executives. Following Demo Day, selected startups will have the opportunity to meet with Tyson Foods’ senior leadership and partner with the company on ideas to help advance sustainability across the company.

“Our ambition is to be the most sustainable and transparent food company in the world, and we believe long-term sustainability will be tied to innovation,” said John Tyson, president of Tyson Ventures and chief sustainability officer of Tyson Foods. “We want to play our part and help foster those innovations we think will have the greatest impact to our food system. We are absolutely committed to work toward a more sustainable food future and partner with future visionaries in this space.”

Tyson officials will select the Demo Day participants. The company will evaluate them based on alignment with Tyson Ventures’ investment strategy, the solutions they present and the potential to help Tyson Foods meet its sustainability goals. The goals include greenhouse gas emission reduction, reducing food waste, animal welfare, regenerative agriculture, packaging, soil health and water management.

May 15 is the deadline to apply. Applications will be accepted online at this link.

Since 2016, Tyson Ventures has invested more than $100 million in startups and other companies focused on emerging proteins, new technologies for food and worker safety and sustainable food production.