In the heart of the Swiss Alps, Davos is set to become the epicenter of agricultural innovation and sustainability as Newsweek convenes its AgriTech Event next week. This gathering, taking place on Thursday, January 22, at the Hotel Parsenn, coincides with the broader international assembly in Davos, bringing together major industry voices to discuss the future of farming and its alignment with global environmental goals.
The one-day forum will feature panel discussions led by senior executives and innovators from across the agritech landscape. Global companies such as SAP, PepsiCo, and HCLSoftware will be represented, with opening remarks delivered by a Newsweek executive. The event aims to explore how digital tools, sustainability strategies, and new financial frameworks can transform agriculture in a world increasingly constrained by climate pressures.
The discussions will be structured around four thematic conversations. The first panel, “The Digital Soil — Building a Data-Driven Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture,” will delve into the importance of data analytics in modern farming practices. Following this, “Higher Yields, Lower Impact — Farming for More with Less” will examine innovative techniques to maximize agricultural output while minimizing environmental impact. The third panel, “Financing the Future of Food — Scaling Innovation in a Resource-Constrained World,” will explore financial frameworks that support sustainable agricultural innovation. The final panel, “The Next Generation of Crop and Climate Challenges in Farming,” will address emerging challenges and solutions in crop genetics and climate-resilient farming.
Moderating these insightful conversations will be Gabriel Snyder, Editorial Director at Newsweek; Matthew Tostevin, Senior Editor at Newsweek; and Daniela Di Gianantonio, Head of Digital Agriculture at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The event will gather a diverse group of CEOs, founders, and technology executives who are at the forefront of shaping the future of agriculture. Speakers include Jim Andrew, Executive Vice President of PepsiCo; Philipp Herzig, Chief Technology Officer of SAP; and Feroz Sheikh, Chief Information and Digital Officer of Syngenta Group. Other notable participants include Ido Margalit, Co-Founder & CEO of BetterSeeds; Jay McEntire, CEO & Co-Founder of Arva Intelligence; and Hunter Swisher, President & CEO of Phospholutions. Together, these leaders represent companies working on a range of innovations, from soil restoration and crop genetics to advanced data platforms and sustainable fertilizer solutions.
The audience will include representatives from major international institutions and corporations, reflecting the broad relevance of agricultural innovation to global climate and food-security agendas. Organizations such as the United Nations Global Compact, the United Nations World Food Programme, Google, Ericsson, the Gates Foundation, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Nestlé will be in attendance. Their presence underscores the growing recognition that climate-aligned agriculture is a shared priority across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
This event is part of Newsweek’s ongoing effort to highlight solutions advancing sustainability and climate resilience across industries. For more details or to register for the AgriTech Event, visit the official Newsweek event page. If you have a sustainability or technology-related story to share, let Newsweek know via [email protected], and your story could be featured.