U.S. Soybean Export Council’s AquaCon Invest brought together key aquaculture industry stakeholders to help boost investments and boost the industry in South Asia.
(Zahid Chughtai)
Colombo (Sri Lanka) The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) successfully concluded AquaCon Invest which was held recently in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The event served as a platform dedicated to connecting aquaculture start-ups from South Asia with venture capital and private equity firms. While the primary objective was to foster collaboration and co-creation among over 40 aquaculture start-ups from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, the entrepreneurs showcased next-generation sustainable aquaculture systems and innovations that were appreciated collectively by the audience. The gathering enabled potential investors to gain deeper insights into their ventures and potentially form partnerships. It featured a wide range of activities, including keynote speeches, panel discussions and networking sessions. Distinguished speakers from the aquaculture industry shared their expertise and insights on the use of technologies in soybean farming, initiatives by USSEC in training manpower for scientific aquaculture practices, an overview of global shrimp aquaculture, the status of aquaculture in Bangladesh, U.S. Soy Sustainability, the role of nutrition in aquaculture to name a few. Commenting on the success of the event, Jim Douglas, Director of – United Soybean Board & Chair – of Indiana Soybean Alliance Executive Committee, USA, said, “AquaCon provided a unique platform for start-ups and investors to meet, exchange ideas, and foster valuable connections. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants and the fruitful discussions that took place underscored the event’s significance in driving the growth and advancement of the aquaculture industry. USSEC should pride itself to have played a pivotal role in bringing together key stakeholders and facilitating meaningful collaborations. AquaCon Invest has set a new benchmark for future endeavours, and we look forward to seeing continued efforts towards the commitment to fostering innovation and driving success in the aquaculture domain.” One of the highlights of the event was the opportunity for start-ups to pitch their aquaculture idea in 5 minutes which received overwhelming participation. Companies like Indian Fisheries Company and Aqua Hatch impressed investors with their innovations and well-thought-through, scalable business plans. “Through this event, we have taken a significant step towards building a sustainable future for the aquaculture industry in South Asia. Globalization and innovation in this industry will play a key role in accelerating and elevating the sector. South Asia has a massive geographical advantage, thanks to the huge coastal line shared by the different countries. Therefore, with the use of the latest best practices, technology and collaboration the future of the aquaculture industry holds immense potential. We are dedicated to continuing our efforts in making a meaningful impact, reinforcing our commitment to innovation ecosystem, and creating a better future for this sector”, added Kevin Roepke, Regional DirectorSouth Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, USSEC.
