Nebraska Hosts AgConverge for Future Growth

By Scout Nelson

The inaugural Spur AgConverge Conference 2025 will take place on Monday, November 24, in Gothenburg, Nebraska, bringing together producers, entrepreneurs, researchers, corporations, and investors to explore how technology and innovation shape the future of food, energy, and water.

Hosted by Spur Ventures within the Department of Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and supported by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources in partnership with Bayer Crop Science and statewide collaborators, the event aims to foster collaboration and innovation among Nebraska’s agricultural community.

A highlight of the day will be the formal launch of Spur Ventures, a new initiative at UNL designed to boost entrepreneurship and build partnerships between academia and industry. “Spur AgConverge is the right place to introduce Spur Ventures to Nebraska and beyond,” said Ankit Chandra, director and lecturer of entrepreneurship at BSE and founder of Spur. “We’re moving past conversation to implementation, and this event reflects the momentum we’re building.”

A signature feature of the event is the Farm Tech Adoption Challenge, a unique, farmer-led competition that reverses the traditional startup pitch format. Instead of startups competing for cash prizes, producers evaluate whether technologies presented by startups effectively address on-farm challenges and can be practically adopted.

“Spur AgConverge is building connections,” said Mark Stone, head of the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. “Nebraska is already a global leader in agriculture, but through events like this we’re building bridges between entrepreneurs, industry, the University of Nebraska and Nebraska producers to grow our state’s largest industry.”

The conference will feature industry-academia panel discussions, startup showcases, and technology exhibits, positioning Nebraska as a testing ground for agricultural innovation. Producers and entrepreneurs will have opportunities to discuss challenges and solutions directly.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bayer Crop Science Water Utilization Center, located at 76268 NE-47, Gothenburg, Nebraska. Attendance is free for producers and students, with advance registration required through the AgConverge event page.

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