What does it really take to launch, lead, and scale a successful AgTech company in today’s market?
In this episode of Digital Ag Global Spotlight, hosts Yurii Kovalchuk (CEO at Qaltivate) and Clyde Graham from Keystown Solutions are joined by Remi Schmaltz, a serial AgTech founder, CEO of Brilliant Harvest, and General Partner at Koan Capital.
Together, they unpack the founder mindset—what drives successful innovation in agriculture, what pitfalls to avoid, and why resilience, timing, and trust in the team matter more than ever. Expect honest insights from both the operating and investment sides of the table.
Whether you're an AgTech founder, investor, or innovation leader in the agri-food space, this episode delivers actionable advice and candid perspectives you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Digital Ag Global, hosts Clyde and Yurii take a hard look at what sets successful AgTech startups apart in today’s evolving landscape. With guest Susanne Cork, Director of Ottawa Innovation Farm, the conversation dives into key insights from the field:
Common startup missteps in the AgTech space
Why farmer engagement and usability matter more than flashy features
The go-to-market models gaining traction in 2025
Traits of high-performing teams: from resilience to local validation
Honest reasons why many AgTech startups fail—and how to avoid those traps
This episode is packed with practical advice and grounded insights for founders, product teams, and investors working to make a lasting impact in agriculture.

🔥 What’s hot and what’s not in AgTech? In our latest Digital Ag Global episode, we break down the trends, the hype, and the hard truths shaping agriculture technology in 2025.🎙️ Hosted by Clyde Graham and Yurii Kovalchuk from Qaltivate, joined by guest expert Jack Ellis from Cleantech Group — we dive into:🌱 What’s gaining traction: from carbon tracking to precision livestock ❄️ What’s cooling off: like vertical farming and blockchain food traceability 🚀 What to watch next: micro AgTech, ag APIs, and on-farm efficiency tools

Digital Ag Global – Episode 9, From Skepticism to Scale: Unlocking AgTech AdoptionJoin us for Episode 9 of Digital Ag Global, where we unpack the human side of AgTech adoption—from trust-building and onboarding to go-to-market strategy and long-term impact.🎤 Featuring: 🔹 Raphael Jung – CEO & Co-founder of Sproot, a Swiss AgTech startup empowering outgrower networks in AfricaHosted by Clyde Graham and Yurii Kovalchuk, this episode delivers real-world insights for AgTech founders, investors, and innovators navigating the adoption journey.

s AI in agriculture living up to its promises, or is it just another tech trend? Join us for an insightful discussion, as we dive into the real impact of AI on farming—what’s working, what’s just hype, and where the real ROI lies.
🗣️ Hosted by:
🎙️ Clyde Graham – AgTech expert and industry strategist from Keystown Solutions
🎙️ Yurii Kovalchuk – CEO of Qaltivate, driving innovation in digital agriculture
🔥 Our expert speakers:
🚜 Hassan Halawy – CEO of Elite Agritech Division, leading agricultural development across the EEMEA region. With expertise in precision AgTech, digital transformation, and sustainable food security, Hassan has been a speaker at COP16, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Vision France in Bercy Paris. He bridges the gap between agriculture and emerging technologies, ensuring real-world impact.
🌾 Tom Gauthier – Founder of AgTechLogic, a precision AgTech innovator with a chemical engineering background and 30 years of global consulting experience. A US Army Special Forces veteran and patented inventor, Tom has advised companies like Archer Daniels Midland, Wal-Mart, and Merck on sustainable solutions. His work is shaping a smarter, more efficient agricultural future.

We’ve taken you to smart farms in Nebraska, explored cutting-edge innovations in Canada—and now we’re heading to Africa, where AgTech is transforming the future of farming. 🚜🌱In this episode, we’ll uncover how technology is reshaping agriculture across the continent, from mobile-powered mechanization to solar irrigation and improved market access. Join us for a deep dive into the unique challenges, breakthroughs, and opportunities in African agriculture—insights that matter whether you’re farming in Lagos or leading a tech team in Silicon Valley.🎙️ Special Guests:
🔹 Folu Okunade – COO at Hello Tractor | Bridging the gap for smallholder farmers through accessible mechanization.
🔹 Jerry Oche – CEO at Zowasel | Empowering African agribusinesses with data-driven market access and sustainability.
🔹 Tom Vranken – Director of Innovations at SunCulture | Delivering solar-powered irrigation to improve productivity and resilience.🎧 Tune in to hear how African AgTech is setting new trends in sustainable, scalable, and inclusive farming—innovation that has the potential to influence global agricultural practices.

🎙 Join our hosts, Clyde Graham and Yurii Kovalchuk, as they dive into the challenges and opportunities of innovation in agriculture with leaders from Canada and the U.S.:🌟 Scott Ross – Executive Director of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture🌟 Brandon Hunnicutt – Partner at HUNNICUTT FARMS🗣 These industry experts will explore:✅ How farmers perceive new AgTech solutions✅ Bridging the gap between cutting-edge innovations and real-world farming needs✅ Challenges and opportunities shaping the future of agriculture📩 Have questions for our speakers? Share them before or during the live session and be part of the conversation!

We’re thrilled to introduce our new feature on Digital Ag Global: Digital Ag Global Spotlight, where we interview C-level executives who are driving the digital transformation of the agri-food value chain.
This festive episode features a remarkable guest, Matt Wampler, CEO of ClearCOGS, in conversation with our hosts, Yurii Kovalchuk and Clyde Graham. Together, they explore digital solutions for optimizing the agri-food value chain, highlighting how technology can revolutionize operations and unlock profitability.
About Our Guest
Matt is an ex-operator turned tech-founder. He spent close to a decade as a Jimmy Johns franchisee winning awards for Highest COMP and Highest Sales Increase in the chain.
Matt is currently the CEO of ClearCOGS with the mission to empower restaurants with the information they need to run more smoothly and profitably. He's deeply passionate about the industry and is hyper-focused on bridging the gap between the potential of AI and the everyday realities of running a restaurant.
Why You Should Tune In
This episode kicks off our new Spotlight series with valuable insights for anyone in the agri-food or restaurant industries, as well as tech enthusiasts keen to understand how AI and digital innovations are reshaping the food value chain. Learn more about ClearCOGS https://www.clearcogs.com Visit Qaltivate https://qaltivate.com/

Join hosts Clyde Graham and Yurii Kovalchuk as they delve into the dynamic world of AgTech investments with special guests Chris Rawley, CEO of Harvest Returns, and Ben Williamson, Managing Director at Grit Road Partners. This episode explores the challenges early-stage AgTech startups face in securing funding, what investors prioritize in today’s market, and how startups can stand out to capture attention. Whether you're an entrepreneur or investor, this conversation offers actionable insights into navigating the evolving AgTech investment landscape. As the discussion looks ahead to 2025, our panelists share bold predictions on emerging trends and assess whether the industry is shifting towards a more cautious funding environment. With expert advice, real-world success stories, and a forward-thinking outlook, this episode provides a fresh perspective on the future of digital transformation in agriculture. Tune in now to gain a deeper understanding of what’s next for AgTech innovation!

In this episode, we’re diving deep into Animal Tech and exploring how cutting-edge technologies are revolutionizing the livestock and meat industries.
Meet our esteemed guests:
Dr. Shari van de Pol, CEO of CATTLEytics
Sebastian Victorica, CEO and Co-Founder of UBIMeat
Our hosts, Clyde Graham, an experienced agri-business consultant from Keystown Solutions Inc., and Yurii Kovalchuk, CEO of Qaltivate, guide the conversation.
We welcome your questions, which can be sent via DM to us on LinkedIn, posted in the comment section of this event, or emailed to [email protected] before, during, and after the podcast.