Episode 2 of 6 - Why do we need Entrepreneurs?
The global food system faces serious problems – environmental, social and commercial. This six-part podcast series seeks to unravel these complex interrelationships asking how we can better align the interests of the environment, farmers, entrepreneurs and investors, allowing new Agtech solutions to address these critical challenges.
Episode 2 explores the role entrepreneurs play in achieving technological progress.
We ask what entrepreneurs can contribute that existing companies and governments might not, and investigate the networks and resources - the entrepreneurial ecosystem - that helps facilitate entrepreneurs’ success. The Silicon Valley template of entrepreneurship and its influence is explored, including cautionary tales about how hype surrounding entrepreneurship and technological developments can lead to undesirable consequences. Finally, we discuss the role of business accelerators and share some pioneering examples of food and agriculture focused support for start-ups.
Featured in this Episode • Rasmus Hartmann, Copenhagen Business School • Juliet Ansell, Zespri International • Adrian Percy, North Carolina State University • Sarah Nolet, AgThentic & Tenacious Ventures • Peter Herz, Food System 6 and 1st Course Capital • Pete Nelson, AgLaunch
Further Reading The following resources are those I found helpful or were recommended by my interviewees Books (available at https://www.betterworldbooks.com): • 10% Entrepreneur by Patrick McInnes • The Third Plate by Dan Barber
Online Resources: • Towards an Untrepreneurial Economy? The Entrepreneurship Industry and the Rise of the Veblenian Entrepreneur by Hartmann, Spice and Krabbe. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3479042 • Entrepreneurial Strategy by Joshua Ganz and Scott Stern https://www.entrepreneurial-strategy.net/about • AgFunder AgriFood Tech Investment report 2021: https://agfunder.com/research/2021-AgFunder-agrifoodtech-investment-report/ • How Silicon Valley Set Agtech back by a decade https://blog.agthentic.com/how-silicon-valley-set-agtech-back-a-decade-b9d46e0acf0d • Technological change and economics: https://carlotaperez.org