Monsanto and Microsoft will invest in startups for the agro sector

The North American biotechnology company Monsanto and Microsoft announced a partnership to invest in agricultural technology startups in Brazil, during the Global Agribusiness Forum, an event that took place from July 5th to 6th, 2016 in São Paulo.
 
Monsanto will participate in a Brazilian investment fund (BR Starturps) of up to R$ 300 million, managed by Microsoft, evaluating ideas for new digital tools to be applied to agricultural production in the country, executives said.
 
Selected ideas will receive initial funding of up to R$ 1.5 million for initial development. "We want to promote new startups in the agricultural sector. There is a vast area of research and development," said Rodrigo Santos, head of Monsanto in Latin America. US chip maker Qualcomm will also invest in the fund.