Steve Sibulkin

Excellent post. As an NZ resident of some years personally commited to prosperity and opportunity for all NZ citizens, some thoughts: The massive drain of talent, capital, and opportunity from NZ to Australia has a lot to do with a Kafkaesque maze of self-defeating regulations that strangle NZ prosperity for all of society. Bureaucracies don’t build equitable societies, but they can regulate to death the economies that enable them. A country of a few million people facing huge deficits, a butchers’ bill of climate change consequences just starting to present itself for payment, and a fragile over-reliance on ag and tourism should not be so resolutely hostile to ideas, innovation, and capital from outside.

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PCC Community Markets led a convening session in February to try to define “regenerative,” before this term goes the route of natural… The article on their site is well worth reading - it does a great job of describing the intent of their convening, and has some helpful links to learn more, like how to comment on the California definition process. Very glad PCC is diving in here, and hope other retailers are taking note! The connections between regenerative, organic, soil health, nutritional density, and halting and reversing climate change are too important to let big-ag and big-grocery steal this term before it ever really takes hold. #regenerative #regenerativeorganic #climatechange #soilhealth #nutritionaldensity https://https://lnkd.in/gt5JDnbR Thanks as always Ken Roseboro for keeping on top of the news!

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As we gather data for the 2024 CEA Census — a comprehensive effort aimed at mapping the global terrain of controlled environment agriculture — distinct trends have emerged. First, and not surprisingly, there has been a noticeable decline in responses from vertical and indoor farms, with previous respondents’ emails bouncing and websites inoperative.

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🌱 This report from my friend Scott Leonard, is a must-read for anyone interested in creating a sustainable and equitable food ecosystem; it captures the urgency of addressing soil health, biodiversity, and climate challenges while showcasing the actions that brands, investors, and farmers can take to make a difference. 🧑‍🌾 This is a great state-of-the-union report on some of the “opportunities” we have in the CPG sector. After reading Scott's report it’s evident to me that brands occupy a pivotal position in driving the adoption of regenerative agriculture. CPG companies can function as a bridge between consumers and farmers to catalyze a movement toward sustainable food systems. ⛓️ The role of collaborative supply chains really resonated with me and I liked learning how organizations like the One Step Closer Fund fosters innovative long-term sustainability. 🌿 Scott’s references to how brands that are making a difference, and taking action, like Ancient Nutrition, Patagonia Provisions, Kashi Company, Guayakí Yerba Mate (I know the amazing family that started this company - Hi Steven, David, and Bob). and Simple Mills (I love their cookies made with milled watermelon seed instead of flour 🍪😋) were great real world examples that actually work! 📝 I found the section of the report that discussed measuring impact was especially helpful since Scott provided examples of what to track and where to start (eg. carbon sequestration).  Happy reading!!! #innovation #creativity #sustainability #futurism #management

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To get a sense of where #FoodisHealth (and agtech) is going behind the scenes, I recommend you read Venky Ramachandran recent post. It illuminates what iSelect Fund is seeing assemble in the background between microbiome, crop genetics, bioactive, regenerative, and food science. There will be a point where we can deterministically achieve endpoints (Six Sigma level output on a target level of protein, Omega 6, and a taste profile) from a recipe of inputs (Crop genetics, microbes, and farm practices). All with the ability to optimize for cost through a combination of agriculture, but also suplementation in bioactives and fortifications in later stages.

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One of the largest reductions in global greenhouse gas, actionable *today*, with increased profits for farmers and *zero* intrusive legislation or costs for those farmers -- that's what DCVC-backed CH4Global delivers.

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"The greatest opportunity for animal production for reducing GHG emissions lies in improving feed use efficiency through improved diet formulation and animal genetics..." A new report out today from CAST (Council for Agricultural Science and Technology) and USFRA details opportunities for US agriculture to be GHG negative. I haven't read through the whole thing yet, but did read the section on animal protein production, which was quite interesting. The authors identified significant improvements in emissions intensities in all major livestock species - for example dairy has seen a more than 50% reduction since the 1950s. Much of that has come from genetic improvement, e.g., 85-90% in poultry. There continue to be opportunities in both beef and dairy to make further genetic improvement for animal health and feed utilization but, importantly, also opportunities to optimize how genetics are implemented at the operation level. Both will drive down emissions intensities. Nice work on the animal production chapter by Ermias Kebreab, Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Logan Thompson, Jasmine Bruno and John Sheehan. #sustainability #sustainableag #agriculture https://lnkd.in/g6Sr225c

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"Agtech's 'great reset' continues" says AgTechNavigator in their analysis of Q124 PitchBook Agtech funding. -- Agtech has been around 2.2% of all VC deals since '18 but was 1.6% in Q1 -- Versus Q423, VC dollars ($1.2b) invested was down 26%, VC deals were down 20% (161) and exits dropped from 11 to 6. -- About 20% of all funding went into two deals, Oishii ($144m) and Inari ($103). Inari is sitting at a $1.65b valuation. -- Indoor farming funding was down 5x from its peak in 2021 -- Pre-money valuations were down 8.6% vs. 2023 -- Pitchbook did see some upticks in a few deal categories: 9 biomaterial, 28 plant biotech, 25 agribusiness marketplace, and 11 aquaculture deals. -- Pitchbook also sees promise in blockchain and called Indigo "ahead of the curve". Perhaps this report was published before Indigo's new CEO announced their reorg on 5/2 following three rounds of layoffs. Walt Duflock Seana Day Vonnie Estes Shane Thomas Better Food Ventures Michael Rose Chris Taylor Howard Chao Katie Grimble https://lnkd.in/gcdKSQEv

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Climate Sector is Hot Yet Not Always VC Backable - Enter AgFoodTech Touché. The climate sector has garnered significant attention, media coverage, and resources recently. However, not all companies are VC-backable. Many are great projects, but they are often long-term, non-scalable, and not tech-oriented, with revenues projected in the distant future. They often aren’t the best match for VC funding. AgFoodTech is changing the game. It starts with the rising demand for sustainable solutions. AgFoodTech companies like NotCo a Chilean food-tech company, have really surprised many investors. Not the favorite thesis of many, but surpassing expectations, NotCo has shown the potential of plant-based alternatives. Their approach to creating plant-based versions of traditionally animal-based foods has driven significant consumer interest and investment. Technological advancements are key. And Solena, a biotech company from Mexico, leverages advanced microbiome technology to enhance soil health and productivity, significantly reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. This breakthrough not only improves sustainability but also promises substantial returns by cutting input costs. Investor interest is driven by returns, and companies like Agrolend, a Brazilian AgFinTech, and part of our portfolio at SP Ventures, have attracted investment due to their potential for high returns. Agrolend provides credit solutions for farmers, helping them adopt sustainable practices and technologies. Their success showcases the profitability of integrating financial support with advanced tech in agriculture. Scalability and profitability are essential. Another AgFinTech, Verqor, also in our portfolio at SP Ventures, provides credit solutions for farmers in Mexico, a country with a very fragile financial system where credit is often nonexistent. Verqor has made it possible to reduce industry risk by helping CPGs enable more sustainable protocols and reduce climate impact for growers. By offering accessible financing, Verqor supports the adoption of sustainable practices and technologies, enhancing resilience and productivity across the agricultural sector. Highlighting agriculture as a main thesis, it's crucial to recognize its impact on the climate. Agriculture accounts for approximately 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and innovative solutions in this sector can lead to substantial climate benefits. Companies like Verqor, Solena and Agrolend are leveraging technology to transform agriculture. Latin America, in particular, stands out for its innovation and implementation of these cutting-edge solutions, driving both environmental and economic benefits. So, is the climate sector venture backable? Absolutely, with the right combination of market demand and technological innovation, makes the climate sector, particularly AgFood Tech, a promising area for venture capital investment. Ready to back the future? The climate sector is waiting…Enter SP Ventures.

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AgTech: A Quiet Revolution in the Making 🌱 AgTech investments may currently be at a low point ↘️, with many realizing that agriculture isn't a "typical VC play." However, the story doesn't end here. The macro trends shaping the future paint a very different and promising picture. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights some of these trends, emphasizing how innovation and demand will redefine agriculture and related industries in the years to come: Agricultural Jobs on the Rise 📈: Despite a tech-heavy future, agriculture is poised for significant job growth. With population increases, urbanization, and the global demand for sustainable food production, the need for a skilled agricultural workforce is accelerating. Robotics anyone? 💻 Advancements in AI, robotics, and sustainable farming practices are creating opportunities for a hybrid workforce skilled in both traditional methods and modern technologies. Green Economy 🌱⚡ Driving Change: The ongoing investment in the green transition—sustainable energy, resilient supply chains, and regenerative agriculture—is another major driver. The shift toward eco-friendly practices is creating jobs not just in agriculture but across the energy and green economy sectors. The World Economic Forum report reminds us that macro trends often move slower than market cycles but carry profound impacts. For agriculture, this means opportunity and growth are inevitable in the coming years—especially for those prepared to think long-term. #FutureOfWork #AgTech #Sustainability #GreenEconomy #Innovation #robotics #automation

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AgTech Ecosystem - looking forward to joining Renée Vassilos (Director of Agriculture Innovation for The Nature Conservancy), Charlie Andersen (CEO of Burro), Michael Roth (Director of Conservation and Innovation - PA Dept of Agriculture), and Fred Slezak of Lone Maple Farm tomorrow at the Ag and Robotics Summit in Pittsburgh. It's day 1 of the Summit, and we'll help kick things off on the opening night with the panel leading right into the reception. The topic will be Ag Robotics - what will drive it and what are some of the macro trends? Renee has the moderator chair. Charlie brings the perspective of a successful specialty crop AgTech automation startup that is starting to achieve scale - and he's been at the front on this journey as founder and CEO. Michael will bring the perspective of the PA Department of Ag and the role the state can play in facilitating innovation. Fred brings the most important role - the grower using the AgTech. I bring the specialty crop automation topic to the table, and for specialty crops it's all about getting more of the key labor task areas automated with economics that work for the grower. At the moment, things look good for weeding, thinning, spraying, planting, and harvest assist. On the not so good side - harvest will still be a while. On the emerging front, AI is accelerating a lot of development work for AgTech startups and the massive data sets the robots are capturing will help the acceleration even more once we figure out how to make it all interoperable. Thanks to Maialen CAZENAVE and Gwendoline Legrand, our FIRA USA partners at GOFAR (Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics), for helping to organize and promote the event. It will be a fun couple of days at the Robotics Factory! (Did I mention FIRA USA will be Oct 22-24 in Sacramento/Davis?) #agtech #robotics #carnegiemellon https://lnkd.in/gzGZEqzh

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Latest weekly news in the algae industry, including the opportunity to become a co-owner in Aliga Microalgae Read more about all exiting algae news below. If you are interested in the investment opportunity in Aliga you can click this link https://lnkd.in/d_P5NDE3 #algae #investor #technology #food #lifescience #chlorella #spirulina #startups #entrepreneur

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An exceptional conversation with Dane Hague, CEO of MyLand Agriculture, A Soil Health Company While many talk about regenerative agriculture, Dane Hague and the MyLand team are delivering soil health solutions with quantifiable impact. Improving soil health and reducing water use. Favorite quote from Dane, "We can't solve the water crisis without soil being part of the conversation." As always, thanks to Tom Freyberg, my co-host, and founder and Managing Director of Atlantean Media Dane openly shares his origin story, moving from a successful corporate legal career into co-founding a soil health company that harnesses microalgae. He describes how we got to the stage of unfarmable land, with heavy industrial and commercial farming activity stripping out the life from soil. The co-founder discusses the dire situation of farmland being abandoned at an alarming rate, and the impact of unhealthy soil on water. In his words, Dane says that we can’t solve the water crisis without talking about soil. He also talks about engaging in dialogue with farmers and why bombarding them with data isn’t the answer. Watch the full fascinating episode: https://lnkd.in/d8H-fqwK Have you considered soil's role as part of the water crisis? Thoughts and comments below 👇 🔔 Make sure to hit the bell to subscribe to The Stream channel to never miss an episode. A big thanks and shout out to our sponsor Raymond James, charity partner Frank Water and impact partners WWF| DCU Water Institute | British Water | Water Alliance | Berkeley Lab Earth and Environmental Sciences Area (EESA). Water Foundry Water Foundry Ventures Nelson A. Switzer Climate Innovation Capital #Water #MicroAlgae #Soil #Agriculture #Podcasting #Podcast #climatechange #agriculture

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Biologicals (crop inputs derived from natural materials or processes) have seen significant investment over the last 5+ years, and this is forecast to grow significantly. Corteva Agriscience, for example, already have US$420m in biologicals revenue. They are looking to grow this to $2B by early next decade. The reason is clear - consumers, food manufacturers and growers want less chemicals in the production of food. The problem is, biologicals, as a rule, are less efficacious than "traditional" chemical inputs. Biologicals haven't been able to replace traditional products, and need to have more consistent, higher efficacy in order to become mainstream. We have just invested in Metrovate, where Nikolai Macnee is building a platform that delivers precision biostimulants with with a clear mode of action which provide consistent, high efficacy. Using a combination of computational biology and microbiology, Metrovate's platform accelerates the learning cycle, speeding up new product development for highly efficacious, targeted biostimulants. At Sprout Agritech we are proud to support ambitious, smart founders, like Nikolai, who are transforming the food production system for better.

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Great article on the growing investments into regenerative agriculture strategies. Thx to The Conservation Finance Network for profiling Conservation Resources' farmland investment strategy. #farmlandinvestment #regenerativeagriculture

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VC investment into agtech increased for the second consecutive quarter in Q3 2024, suggesting recovery for the sector after some major low points in 2023 and earlier this year. https://buff.ly/3AKZpxD

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Reading the excellent “Same As Ever” by Morgan Housel, there’s one passage that jumped out at me when thinking about Ag Tech, and in particular the potential for new technologies to completely transform the way we produce our food. Here’s the passage: —------ It’s easy to discount the potential of new technologies. There’s a typical path for how people respond to what eventually becomes a world changing new technology: Stage 1: I’ve never heard of it Stage 2: I’ve heard of it but I don’t understand it Stage 3: I understand it but I don’t see how it’s useful Stage 4: I see how it could be fun for rich people, but not me Stage 5: I use it, but it’s just a toy Stage 6: It’s becoming more useful for me Stage 7: I use it all the time Stage 8: I could not imagine life without it Stage 9: Seriously? People lived without it?? Stage 10: It’s too powerful and needs to regulated It happens over and over again. It’s very difficult to envision what one small invention has the potential to become……one day. —-------- When you think about new technologies, where do you think the agriculture industry is on this journey? In particular when we consider truly transformative technologies, such as robotics, AI and autonomy - technologies which are not just making the existing system more efficient, but are actually shifting the paradigm towards something 10x better than we have today - where are we really? Most of the industry is somewhere between Stage 1 and Stage 3, although there might be a few outliers, innovators and early adopters who are slightly further advanced than this. I don’t think there’s anyone using this technology who would consider themselves beyond Stage 6. This jumped out at me as a great way to think about future technologies and a further reminder of how early on we are in the 4th Agricultural Revolution #4AR. As Housel says, it’s easy to discount the potential of new technologies. Stages 7, 8, 9 and even 10 are coming for these transformative technologies and the opportunities are enormous for those who can develop the right business models, and the right value proposition for farmers. We’re still right at the beginning.

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