St. Louis’ 39 North is Emerging as a World Leader in Academic and Corporate AgTech Research and Innovation
Where AgTech Meets an Innovation District
The highest concentration of plant science PhD’s in the world, more than 1000, call St. Louis home. Highly skilled experts contribute to world-class research institutions including the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, the Missouri Botanical Garden and academic institutions including Washington University,
Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri St. Louis. Leading multinational corporations including Bayer Crop Science, Bunge North America, and Novus International have their headquarters in the St. Louis Region. Additionally, an increasing number of small and midsize businesses comprise a remarkable regional network of over 400 research and development AgTech companies employing over 15,000 people. What do you get when you combine these? 39 North.
39 North – A Physical Place and Distinct Idea
39 North is located in St. Louis County within the City of Creve Coeur and borders the City of Olivette to the east. The 600 hundred-acre innovation district in St. Louis, MO is anchored by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, BRDG Park, the Helix Incubator, Bayer Crop Science, and the Yield Lab.
It’s a place where people from all over the world move to because they want to be part of something that matters, is enduring and bigger than themselves. It’s that energy and sharing of ideas that is at the very heart of 39 North, and that ultimately stimulates breakthrough innovation.
The innovation district is a space where colleagues can get out of their labs and cubicles and mingle at Venture Café @ 39 North gatherings that are held from 4 PM to 7:30 PM on the third Tuesday of every month at the Danforth Plant Science Center. The gatherings facilitate serendipitous collisions that drive creativity, foster collaboration and stimulate investment in innovation. The event is free and open to the public.
Core Working Group
The district has a core working group made up on stakeholders from STL Partnership, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, BRDGPark, City of Creve Coeur, Helix Center, City of Olivette, St. Louis County, and Bayer. They have a community website dedicated to all things 39 North that you can visit here.
Danforth Plant Science Center
The Helix Center BioTech Incubator
Included in 39 North is STL Partnership’s Helix Center Biotech Incubator, a destination location for bioscience, agricultural technology and plant-science startups. Clients have access to more than 33,000 square feet of affordable wet labs, dry labs, office space, financing and collaboration. This campus provides the resources needed to accelerate the growth of any startup.
Intact Genomics‘ laboratory located in the Helix Center
The Value in Championing the 39 North AgTech District
Our capital, infrastructure and proximity to major farms and food producers make 39 North extraordinarily unique. We’re growing a neighborhood by connecting communities of interest and innovation. Years from now, history will celebrate this district for advancing plant science and AgTech around the world.
Global Issues
Expanding the AgTech industry is critical for our future. According to the Danforth Plant Science Center , world populations are expected to reach 10 billion and agriculture production must increase by 70% by 2050. Energy use is predicted to Double and 2/3 of the World’s population will live in water stressed conditions. We are already utilizing 38% of ice-free land for agriculture, so we must find ways to increase yields while sustaining our environment.
@39NorthSTL