Key Takeaways
- Indoor Ag-Con has confirmed its Day Two keynote for February 12, 2026, featuring a fireside chat with Dave Chen of Equilibrium and David Verbitsky of Verbitsky Capital.
- The session will address capital flows, investment discipline, and lessons learned following a decade of rapid CEA expansion.
- Discussion topics include scaling risks, financing trends across the value chain, and strategies for building financially resilient CEA operations.
- The 2026 event features its most extensive educational program to date, with 11 specialized tracks and a large technology expo hall.
- Speaker profiles highlight deep experience across AgTech, infrastructure investment, venture capital, and agri-food M&A.
Indoor Ag-Con to Spotlight Shifting CEA Finance Landscape With New 2026 Keynote
Indoor Ag-Con, the largest trade show and conference dedicated to controlled environment agriculture (CEA), has announced the Day Two keynote for its upcoming 2026 event in Las Vegas. Scheduled for February 12, the session titled “The State of CEA Finance: Capital Flows, Discipline, and Lessons Learned” will examine how investment strategies and expectations across the CEA sector have evolved.
The keynote will feature two leaders shaping agri-food and CEA investment strategy: Dave Chen, Co-Founder & CEO of Equilibrium, and David Verbitsky, President & Managing Director of Verbitsky Capital. Their fireside chat will explore how capital is moving through the CEA value chain, the consequences of scaling too quickly, and how financial discipline has changed since the sector’s early growth phase.
“Finance continues to be one of the most important and closely watched aspects of controlled environment agriculture,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. “Dave and David bring valuable perspective shaped by years of working across the broader food and agriculture investment landscape.”
Capital Dynamics, Scaling Risks, and Lessons for CEA Operators
The session comes at a pivotal moment for CEA, following industry consolidation, renewed investor caution, and increased focus on operational performance. Key areas of discussion will include:
- Current capital flows across technology suppliers, operators, and input providers
- How financing discipline has shifted since early years of rapid expansion
- Risks associated with accelerating scale ahead of market and operational readiness
- Practical lessons for investors, founders, and growers focused on long-term viability
The keynote aims to give operators and partners clear insight into the financial realities shaping the sector's next phase.
Extensive Educational Program Planned for Indoor Ag-Con 2026
Beyond the keynote, Indoor Ag-Con will offer its most comprehensive program to date. Eleven specialized educational tracks will cover core crop categories and operational topics, including:
- Vine crops
- Berries
- Lettuce and herbs
- Mushrooms
- Food safety
- Cannabis
- Conventional agriculture and general applications
The event will also include a large expo hall showcasing CEA-focused technologies, along with networking opportunities for growers, suppliers, investors, and industry partners.
Speaker Profiles
Dave Chen, Co-Founder & CEO, Equilibrium
Chen leads Equilibrium Capital Group, an institutional asset manager specializing in sustainable food, agriculture, and carbon transition infrastructure. His background spans manufacturing, venture capital, sustainable infrastructure, high-growth technology firms, and academic leadership as an Adjunct Professor of Finance at Kellogg School of Management.
David Verbitsky, President & Managing Director, Verbitsky Capital
Verbitsky brings over 15 years of experience across agri-food M&A, investment banking, and AgTech innovation. His career includes senior roles at Goldman Sachs, Nomura Greentech, Barclays, and operational leadership as CFO of Invaio. His advisory work spans early-stage startups to global multinationals.
Early Bird registration is now open. More information on the 2026 program and exhibitor opportunities can be found at www.indoor.ag.
