Bill & Melinda Gates Agricultural Innovations Opens New Office in St. Louis
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ST. LOUIS, Mo. (April 5, 2024) — Bill & Melinda Gates Agricultural Innovations (Gates Ag One) has officially opened its home office in the Cortex Innovation District, an internationally recognized hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
“St. Louis has long been established as a global gathering place for science and agricultural innovation, and the Cortex Innovation District’s focus on catalyzing innovation aligns with Gates Ag One’s start-up mentality,” said Joe Cornelius, Chief Executive Officer of Gates Ag One. “We look forward to being part of this unique community as we continue to focus on delivering innovations for smallholder farmers in the regions we serve.”
This strategic location will facilitate collaboration with St. Louis’ ecosystem of global agricultural science companies, start-ups, research institutes, and leading universities as Gates Ag One works toward its mission to accelerate breakthroughs and innovations that reach — and benefit — smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
“This is an exciting moment for Gates Ag One as we join this thriving and innovative community,” said Al Gallegos, Chief Operating Officer of Gates Ag One. “We believe in the power of working collaboratively to address the needs of smallholder farmers by creating solutions alongside our partners. I look forward to being part of such a valuable community.”
Founded in 2002, Cortex is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that oversees the Cortex Innovation District, the region’s largest innovation and entrepreneurship hub that includes more than 6,000 employees and 425 companies. Cortex creates space for innovators from a diversity of backgrounds to transform ideas into solutions. Weaving together people, places, and organizations, Cortex accelerates inclusive economic growth in the St. Louis region.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gates Ag One and the talented folks the company has attracted from all over the world to St. Louis and to our Cortex community,” said Sam Fiorello, President & CEO of Cortex. “We look forward to supporting them in their work to accelerate the most promising agricultural innovations being made available to those who need them most.”
About Gates Ag One:
Bill & Melinda Gates Agricultural Innovations (Gates Ag One) is a non-profit organization that accelerates breakthrough agricultural research to meet the urgent and neglected needs of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Out of the conviction that all lives have equal value, Gates Ag One serves the interests of smallholder farmers, who are most exposed to climate shocks yet lack the access that others have to the latest agricultural innovations. Gates Ag One works to level the playing field and empower smallholder farmers to transform their agricultural productivity, nutrition security and climate resilience. Learn more at gatesagone.org.
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