Kansas City " July 29, 2013 " The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor will host more than 20 emerging animal health companies from the U.S., and around the world, at the fifth annual KC Animal Health Investment Forum on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The Forum is the world’s only full day investment forum exclusively for early- and mid-stage companies in the animal health sector.
At least 12 of the attending companies will present their business plan and technology to potential investors, representing 11 U.S. states, Japan and Belgium. Presenting companies must meet the following criteria:
- Seeking $500,000 to $20 million in funding
- Revenue projections of $20 million within five to seven years
Companies presenting at this year’s Forum have developed a variety of innovative products for the animal health industry. These include protective and therapeutic gear for horses, an anti-diarrheal for various animal species, lighting technology for production animal operations, and a detection strip for the diagnosis of periodontal disease in dogs.
Presenting companies were selected by a national committee of experts in agricultural and animal health investment opportunities. Forum attendees will include representatives from venture capital funds, investment firms, corporate R&D and business development professionals.
“Our strategic and rigorous screening process has resulted in a diverse group of presenting companies from all over the world offering a wide variety of technologies,” said Chris Ragland, CEO of Animalytix LLC. “I’m very impressed with the strength of this year’s group.”
Companies presenting at the KC Animal Health Investment Forum in previous years have raised more than $90 million. Several have also received licensing agreements or distribution contracts.
“The Corridor is regarded globally as the epicenter of established animal health companies,” said Kimberly Young, vice president of bioscience development for the Kansas City Area Development Council. “Support for emerging animal health companies is a top priority for the Corridor and key to our goal to also be the global epicenter of animal health innovation.”
This year’s Forum will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kansas City Convention Center Grand Ballroom in Kansas City, Mo. A list of presenting companies is available to qualified investors by contacting Emily Dye.
Kansas City’s Animal Health Industry
Known as the KC Animal Health Corridor, the Greater Kansas City area boasts the world’s largest concentration of animal health industry assets. Kansas City area companies account for approximately one third of total sales for the global animal health market, and universities in the region lead the nation in animal health and nutrition research, innovation, business functions and production. KC companies include giants such as: Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc., Bayer Health Care’s Animal Health Division, Merial, Zoetis, Merck Animal Health, Nestle Purina PetCare, Ceva, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica and more listed here.