In this episode, I am joined by Kris Wadrop, General Manager for the CPI, the UK-based not-for-profit Technology innovation center helping companies transition their manufacturing to a greener, more sustainable future. Kris outlined some of the challenges that small companies navigate when commercializing innovative and sustainable innovation. We discussed the growth of the food, nutrition, and Industrial biotechnology marketplace and how the CPI helps organizations on the technology readiness journey, paving the way for more companies to succeed in scaling up novel technologies.

In this episode, I am joined by Anthony Padgett, an international Agribusiness Executive. We reflected on his career conducting deals and business across the world, and the cultural differences and challenges as it related to integrating companies together. We explored the challenges and mindset of growing a company from scratch and some of his earlier experiences that helped him in the startup environment. We reflected on the major changes within the Ag sector, particularly related to the exciting business opportunities and the opportunities for innovation to help feed farmers, and consumers

In this week’s episode I am joined by Han Chen, CEO, and Co-Founder of Zeakal, a pioneering plant science company, with a strong mission in food security and meeting nutritional demands on a global scale. Han reflects on his path into venture capital and agriculture, and the importance of the very personal mentoring, by the late great Jerry Caulder who supported him as an entrepreneur and first time CEO. Han talks through his vision for a healthier world, and his commitment to bringing all parts of the ag value chain together. He highlights his journey as CEO of Zeakal, offering great advice to first time CEO’s, highlighting some of the important lessons he has learned along the way

In this week’s episode I am joined by Sekhar Boddupalli an Agri-FoodTech and Life Sciences visionary and entrepreneur. Sekhar shares the great influence of working with Nobel Laureate’s Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein on his career, as well as Johann Deisenhofofer for his work on plant photosynthesis.  Sekhar talks through his career journey, and how he was able to leverage modern science and systems biology,  to  help drastically reduce breeding cycles, creating healthier and more nutritious and healthier crops.  Sekhar talks passionately about the transformation of our food system, and how we are able to leverage the nutrient diversity to help prevent disease and illness. He talks about some of the major investment themes, and key trends and opportunities to help feed the worlds growing population, whilst reducing the social healthcare burden

In this week’s episode I am joined by Joško Bobanović, Partner at Sofinnova Partners, where he leads investments into Biotechnology enabled sustainable solutions across food, agriculture, materials and chemicals.  Joško reflects on his early journey, the important values and interests that helped him find his path as an investor into niche applications of Biotech. Joško talks about some of the big consumer and government changes that have helped shape  the marketplace and innovation opportunities. Joško compares and contrast’s European and US markets, and outlines how sees the role of venture partner beyond just capital. He talks about being on a journey of constant learning, and about the growth and future outlook of the industry

In this week’s episode I am joined by Amy Yoder, CEO of Anuvia Plant Nutrients, an AgriTech mission driven company producing plant nutrients that optimize plant health, improve soil health, whilst protecting the environment. Amy reflects on her career, and her early experiences on her family farm, which paved the way for a career in agriculture. She reflects on the journey and challenges in becoming a CEO, and outlines some of the big changes within the agricultural industry over the last 20 years. She outlines why she joined Anuvia, the challenges and differences in working for a startup, and outlines her bold mission and vision for the company. She explains about the novel technology that helps farmers achieve better yields with a sustainable and healthy footprint

In this week’s episode I am joined by Cain McClary, Founder and Managing Partner of KdT ventures, an early stage investor, deploying capital across deep tech and life sciences. Cain speaks candidly about his life’s journey, from physician/scientist, with a deep passion for innovative technology and science, to founding his own venture capital company. Cain outlines the values that are important to him, speaking about the importance of openness, transparency and kindness.  Cain talks about his vision and mission for KdT ventures, about returns, performance, and the critical behaviors and traits he looks for when deploying capital. He speaks about the challenges of raising a fund, and finding the best deals

In this episode I am joined by Joel Stone, who has been a long-term visionary and respected leader in commercialization of industrial biotechnology. Joel talks about his early learnings and experiences that helped shape his passion for science and technology.  He speaks about the major changes within the industry, and how synthetic biology is facilitating the bio revolution of the chemical industry. Joel speaks about the use of fermentation methods and practices to help mitigate climate change risks, enabling us to produce food whilst using less agricultural resources. Joel talks about the challenge’s organizations face in scaling technology and how he approaches growth and scaleup.

In this episode I am joined by Alex Hoffmann, where he is responsible for Frontier Tech & sustainability investments out of M Venture’s Science & technology fund. Alex talks about his early learnings and experiences that helped shape his values, and about his global mindset and passion for creativity and innovation. We spoke about the European eco-system for innovation and startups, how he deploys capital, and about Merck’s synergy and interest in the cell based, alternative protein space. Alex outlined how he likes to collaborate and partner with portfolio companies, and what he looks for from founding teams, prior to investing.

In this episode I am joined by Dan Cosgrove, CEO of Growers’ Edge, a visionary company combining FinTech and Agtech to help provide data backed financial technology solutions for the agricultural industry. Dan talks about his early influences and reflects on his career, which has seen him embrace risk and change, challenging himself to navigate and learn quickly along the journey. Dan explains the vision and mission for Growers Edge, and his plans for the company, as well as discussing the challenges as a first time CEO