In this engaging episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech," host Vonnie Estes welcomes Danny Bernstein, the CEO of Reservoir, to explore the intersection of deep technology and agriculture. The conversation highlights Reservoir's mission to accelerate the integration of robotics and digital tools in the farming industry by making it easier for technologists to access agricultural fields for testing their innovations. Bernstein shares his journey from Silicon Valley to agriculture and emphasizes the value of technological resilience in improving food production practices.

Bernstein reflects on the existing challenges faced by agtech startups, such as long timelines in field testing, and how Reservoir is revolutionizing this space. With plans to launch three deep tech incubators in California, Reservoir aims to provide early-stage startups with critical resources, including field access and precision labs. Bernstein also discusses Reservoir's venture capital initiative, "Reservoir VC," which provides pre-seed funding to support startups from ideation to market readiness, bringing attention to the significance of services and innovations like humanoid robots in the agtech landscape.

Key TakeawaysKey Takeaways:

• Reservoir is addressing the gap between Silicon Valley's tech innovation and the practical needs of the agriculture sector by establishing deep tech incubators for accessible field testing.
• The introduction of Reservoir VC is set to provide crucial early-stage funding, helping agtech startups speed up their development process and innovate sustainably.
• Danny Bernstein highlights the importance of resilience in agriculture, drawing parallels between agtech and global diplomacy in sharing resources and building partnerships.
• Matthew Hoffman's transition to Reservoir as General Partner embodies a strategic move towards fostering more extensive startup collaborations and innovation support in the agtech industry.
• The episode foresees the role of humanoid robots and robotics as a service in transforming agriculture, emphasizing the need for adaptive business models to keep pace with technological advancements.

Guest Resources

• Reservoir: https://reservoir.co/
• International Fresh Produce Association: https://www.freshproduce.com/

Embark on a journey with Reservoir as they reshape the agtech landscape! Listen to the full episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech" for more insights and stay tuned for future episodes.

Show Links

International Fresh Produce Association - https://www.freshproduce.com/

Fresh Takes on Tech - https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/takes-on-tech-podcast/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFreshProduceAssociation/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/IntFreshProduce/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-fresh-produce-association/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intlfreshproduceassn/