From a “scrappy” research project in Scotland to global Giga Farms: IGS former CEO David Farquhar reflects
May 28, 2024
“I’m proud to look back on the differences compared to the R&D project that it was six years earlier.”
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Tag: Frankly Speaking
SynBioBeta 2024: From novel hosts to ‘tricking’ cells to be more productive… addressing the ‘scale-cost paradox’ in biomanufacturing
May 20, 2024
What will it take to make the economics of precision fermentation stack up for a wider range of bioproducts such that they can compete with low-margin, high volume products derived from petrochemicals or industrialized animal agriculture?
Letter from an underinvested category: agrifoodtech
March 13, 2024
There’s no way to sugarcoat this: investment in agrifoodtech startups is at its lowest point in six years. But considering the contribution of the agrifood sector to the global economy and livelihoods, has the correction gone too far?
Letter from the great food fight
July 14, 2023
The agrifoodtech industry has descended into a high school movie-style food fight. It’s not only off-putting but is emerging as a dangerous cancel culture for farming and food production practices rather than people.
Women entrepreneurs are a missed opportunity in venture capital. Here’s how investors and policymakers can change that
June 5, 2023
VCs need to put more money into women entrepreneurs as a path to profit and impact, and to generate better returns.
The food sector is not on track to meet climate targets. Here is what will help
June 2, 2023
Some of the largest food companies have set ambitious climate targets for 2030 and 2040, but they are not on track to reach them, says Kenny Fahey at Leading Harvest.
How can New Zealand’s agri-innovation ecosystem become the world leader it should be?
May 24, 2023
Agriculture is the beating heart of New Zealand. So why is New Zealand still not delivering on its full potential as an agri-innovation ecosystem?
Meet the Founder: CEA engineer & advisor Erika Summers on why (vertical) farming isn’t a ‘get-rich-quick’ industry
April 21, 2023
Erika Summers explains mechanical side of vertical farming and why you can’t build a vertical farm just anywhere, despite what the hype says.
Vertical farming should be one instrument in a farmer’s toolbox, not the whole operation or the farmer’s competition
March 14, 2023
New agritech innovations in vertical farming and indoor ag need to be integrated into existing agricultural operations, establishing a hybrid system.
Keep calm and carry on: Navigating the trough of disillusionment for plant-based meat
February 8, 2023
Sales of plant-based meat have slowed in the US market following a surge in the early months of the pandemic, but the category hasn’t fallen off a cliff.
Letter from 2023: a vintage year to invest in foodtech and agtech
January 19, 2023
Stalling progress and slumping valuations might feel disappointing to many. Heck, these are challenging times. But this could be the best year yet to invest in agrifoodtech.
I’m getting déjà vu: foodtech and the dot com crash
January 16, 2023
Over the last year, we have seen a fierce and accelerating backlash against food tech. But it’s time to move on, writes Johan Jörgensen.
Meet the founder: Zane Adams of FedUp Foods on his advocacy for regenerative supply chains
January 13, 2023
Zane Adams, Co-CEO of FedUp Foods talked to AFN about extractive food production systems and why producers need to embrace regenrative supply chains
Germany’s first regen ag ‘Farmer of the Year’ Benedikt Bösel wants agriculture to receive more scientific focus
December 30, 2022
We catch up with Benedikt Bösel, managing director of a 3000-hectare farm near Berlin, Germanyv that’s adopting and developing regen ag systems
Are DFIs on track to catalyzing investments in African agriculture?
December 16, 2022
The just concluded African Agri Investment Indaba hosted ag stakeholders, chiming in on the sector’s state of financing, inclusion and productivity.
Smoke & mirrors, not worth the extra cost: 50 US farmers speak out on carbon markets
December 14, 2022
Today, just about everywhere we look, there are claims about carbon sequestration being akin to the holy grail for agriculture, and by extension, the environment. But what do US farmers think about carbon markets? Ben Palen surveyed 50 of them to find out.
Beyond impact: Moving away from misconceptions about Africa to reveal tech’s commercial opportunity
November 11, 2022
Sessions at the AfricArena Grand Summit had diverse panels discussing investments and changing narratives on the perception of Africa’s startup ecosystem.
After billions in investment, plant-based meat is a branding catastrophe
October 11, 2022
There is zero differentiation or branding in the space; all the players are stuck in Motorola Land, going no further than saying “We are plant-based,” writes Adam Hanft.
I’m drowning in new food! Can someone please restructure me out of this mess?
June 6, 2022
Do you also feel like you’re drowning in new food products? It can’t be just me who’s starting to feel confused about where the world’s change-energy is directed, writes Johan Jorgensen.
Earth Day 2022 calls on us to ‘invest in our planet.’ The agrifoodtech community is on it 👍
April 22, 2022
The theme of Earth Day 2022 is “invest in our planet.” In the agrifoodtech community, we’re taking it literally – and must push governments to do the same.
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