Yesterday, I published the post; ‘Introducing the Western Growers CIT Global Advisory Board’.
As indicated in the post, it’s an initiative that I have been working on with the Center’s Director, Dennis Donohue, for some time. The opportunity to build a ‘Star Alliance’ global network of locally-connected entrepreneurs and investors with a shared common interest drove this work.
The make-up of the Advisory Board reflects this purpose;
Rob Ward, (UK), Founder of ForwardFood.Tech and Agritech Lead at the UK Department of International Trade’s Global Entrepreneur Programme
Ethy Levy, (Israel), Founder of Impact Innovation Israel and Fund Manager at Kinneret Impact Ventures
Sarah Nolet, (Australia), Co-founder of AgThentic and General Partner at Tenacious Ventures, Australia’s leading agrifood tech venture fund
Francisco Jardim, (Brazil), General Partner at SP Ventures and Managing Director, the San Paulo Innovation Fund
Larry Taylor, (US/Singapore), Co-Founder of the Yield Lab, Asia Pacific
Rich Moran, (US), Former Partner at Venrock & Accenture, Managing Partner at Tonic BioVentures and best-selling author
Peter Wren-Hilton (NZ) Founder of Wharf42 & Dennis Donohue (Director, Western Growers CIT)
Wearing my regional hat, I believe that the establishment of the Advisory Board and its purpose as explained in yesterday’s post, provides a major platform for ANZ agritech companies seeking to establish a serious footprint in North America. It’s why Sarah and I will be communicating these opportunities to both Agritech New Zealand and the Australia Agritech Association. It’s these two industry organisations that will be able to share these opportunities with members to leverage their impact.
Looking further ahead, the opportunity to engage and connect with some seriously well-connected regional representatives will further increase the opportunity for increased global collaboration. This was a major part of yesterday’s discussion.
I very much look forward to working with Dennis and the team as we build out a lasting framework that can have a really positive legacy. These are exciting times!