More focus on commercialising food and agricultural research
Two Danes based in Scotland and with a strong background in agriculture and finance will be moving into Foulum shortly.
Science and Technology has signed an agreement with the Scottish company JB Equity, that is specialised in investment and advice within the agribusiness sector. The company, which was established by the two agriculture and finance-trained Danes Kristian Bennetsen and Martin H. Jensen, has experience with establishing agribusiness companies in collaboration with universities and has a strong network among potential investors.
Two of the people from JB Equity came to a meeting in Flakkebjerg on March 2, 2017 at which Birte Boelt, Mogens Nicolaisen and Mogens Støvring Hovmøller gave talks. To begin with, the two guests were given a tour where Birte Boelt emphasised the possibilities at Flakkebjerg for carrying out studies from laboratory via semifield to field. She also emphasised the extensive collaboration Flakkebjerg researchers have with agrochemical companies, the seed sector and others.
Mogens Støvring Hovmøller gave a tour of the facilities at the Global Rust Center and spoke about the possibilities of using rust isolates from all over the world in breeding for improved disease resistance in wheat.
- In step with development of new, improved breeding techniques and molecular biology tools, phenotyping for disease resistance has become even more central and in this regard the facilities of the rust center and its expertise have a strong position on the European and global levels, says Mogens Støvring Hovmøller.
Mogens Nicolaisen spoke about molecular diagnosis of plant pests, which he regards as an area with unexplored commercial potential.
The two Danes will shortly be moving in to Foulum, where they will have an office in the same corridor as DCA. That way it will be possible for them to keep abreast of AU's wide range of food and agricultural research and the possiblities this entails. The aim is to identify talents, research results and technologies that have potential for commercialisation and thus to become new products, services or companies.
ST har has hired the former Seges director Jan Mousing with the aim of increasing the efforts correspondingly within the area of environmental research. One of his tasks will be to identify business opportunities within the green area and ecoinnovation. AGRO will also contribute to this area to a great degree. Jan Mousing will be based in Roskilde.
Read more about the new activities here.