Future of Agriculture 117: Bridging the Gap Between AgTech Entrepreneurs and Farmers with Pete Nelson of AgLaunch

Future of Agriculture

Pete Nelson is the President and Executive Director of AgLaunch, an agriculture accelerator that supports startups that innovate food and provide sustainable solutions. He has over twenty years of experience as a farmer, writer, consultant, speaker, and entrepreneur emphasizing farm-based innovation technologies and models. He has worked with a variety of public and private sector partners building a support ecosystem for new ag companies.

Pete joins me today to discuss what AgLaunch is about and how they work with new entrepreneurs in the industry. He shares his background and what inspired him to start AgLaunch and explains the problems farmers encounter when choosing which companies to invest in. He also describes the kind of startups they prefer to partner with - especially when it comes to AgTech.

“There is a lack of calibration between what is needed on the farm and the solutions coming forward.” - Pete Nelson

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

• An overview of what AgLaunch is all about
• Pete's role in the early-stage startups they help.
• How agriculture is different from other industries regarding
• Farmers’ perspectives on the current state of AgTech.
• What it takes to grow the ecosystem to where it needs to be.
• How AgLaunch selects and works with entrepreneurs.
• The kind of technology or ideas AgLaunch would love to work with.
• Why agriculture startups have difficulty "crossing the chasm."

Key Takeaways:

• Ag startups aren’t adopted by clients as fast as startups in the tech world.
• There are too many agriculture startups to choose from, and farmers have a hard time choosing which ones to invest in.

Resources Mentioned:

• GroGuru

Connect with Pete Nelson:

• AgLaunch
• Twitter
• Email: [e-mail]

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The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

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