Capital One and Delaware State University host national agribusiness entrepreneurship conference

The Innovation Venture programming features fireside chats and panel discussions on the state of agribusiness, the importance of practical solutions and advice on scaling a business from experts in the field including Daymond John, featured on ABC’s Shark Tank.

Innovation Venture gathers not only students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), but also middle- and high school- students from New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. 

“Innovation is really the cornerstone of agriculture in today’s world. Some innovations are accepted quickly, however, others take more time before they are widely adopted,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Don Clifton. “The individuals who accept the challenge and pursue these innovations are the leaders of the coming generation in agriculture.”

Innovation Venture attendees will have the opportunity to hear from federal, state and local elected officials, including Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer, U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester and  former U.S. Sen. Tom Carper.

“I’ve always believed that we shouldn’t have to choose between a strong economy and a clean environment. We can have both.The Innovation Venture Summit is a powerful example of that vision in action, showcasing how education, entrepreneurship, and technology can transform our food systems while strengthening our communities,” said former Sen. Carper. “By empowering students to develop sustainable solutions in agriculture and environmental innovation, Delaware State University and Capital One are helping to cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards who will lead us toward a cleaner, greener and brighter future.”

“Innovation and technology are essential to solving modern agribusiness challenges,” said Delaware’s Chief Information Officer Gregory Lane. “By fostering collaboration between students, industry leaders, and policymakers, Innovation Venture is helping to cultivate the next generation of problem solvers who will drive sustainable solutions in agritech and economic growth in agriculture.”

“As mayor of the City of Dover, I welcome the collaboration of Delaware State University and Capital One Financial showcasing the talents of our community and state,” said Mayor Christiansen, “The University continues to be on the cutting edge of innovation and entrepreneurship, offering many diverse opportunities to faculty, students, and our visitors.”

Innovation Venture  is a co-designed initiative to help the university lead the charge in the agriculture and innovation space. In 2021, Capital One donated a $4.7 million, 35,000 square foot facility in Wilmington that now headquarters DSU’s University’s School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies, bringing the university to the states most populous county.

“Innovation Venture marks an exciting new chapter of our partnership with Delaware State University by bringing students’ ideas to life and providing them with opportunities to address real world issues facing the agriculture industry,” Joe Westcott, Delaware market president at Capital One, said. “Capital One and Delaware State University share a mission to empower this next generation of leaders to drive innovation through technology.”

Capital One previously partnered with DSU on an executive mentorship program, pairing executives with university sophomores, and has also provided over $250,000 in grants for the University’s Career Services Experiential Learning Program, among other programs. 

Innovation Venture will be livestreamed starting at 9:00 a.m.  EST and is viewable here.