Delivering Value to Accelerate AgTech Innovations at Scale
Editor’s note: “Cultivating Tomorrow” is a special series on CropLife.com that shares insights from C-suite executives at leading AgTech companies, presented by AgTech PR. Its aim is to highlight the experiences of AgTech leaders driving agricultural transformation today. In this installment, Carl Cox, CEO at PowerPollen, says AgTech companies must apply data and insights in a more surgical fashion – rather than a one-size-fits-all.
There are many uncertainties in agriculture. And yet, technology solutions remain key to delivering for growers. As AgTech innovation evolves, startups often face the temptation to solve every problem for every customer. However, at PowerPollen, we’ve discovered that true success lies in a more focused approach. By leveraging key data insights, we select acres where we can offer the best return on investment (ROI), we’re not just chasing revenue – we’re cultivating sustainable growth, and delivering tangible and consistent value to our customers.
Simply put, we’re applying Jim Collins’ concept of the “Flywheel Effect” to our go-to-market strategy. Just as a flywheel requires significant initial effort to start spinning but then builds momentum, our approach involves starting small and focused, gradually accelerating our growth and impact over time.
The Power of Precision
At the core of our value proposition is groundbreaking on-demand pollination technology. This innovative system allows us to collect, preserve, and precisely apply pollen, extending its viability from less than an hour to up to years. By enabling 24-hour pollination and eliminating the constraints of the traditional three-hour window, of natural pollen shed, we’re dramatically improving seed yield, purity, and quality.
Our focused approach has led to significant partnerships with industry leaders. We’ve established commercial agreements with Bayer for corn seed production, VNR Seeds in India for winter corn seed production, and RiceTec for scaling hybrid rice seed production. These collaborations validate our technology and demonstrate our commitment to delivering value where it matters most. However, to demonstrate this value every season, AgTech companies like ours must apply data and insights in a more surgical fashion – rather than a one-size-fits-all.
Our journey at PowerPollen taught us that trying to boil the ocean and be all things to all customers rarely leads to success. Instead, we’ve become ruthlessly focused on value. By analyzing our data and targeting specific acres where our pollination technology can make the most significant impact, we’re able to demonstrate clear ROI to each customer.
This precision approach allows us to:
- Maximize our suite of tools to optimize production systems on each acre.
- Provide tangible, measurable benefits to seed companies.
- Build trust and credibility within the industry.
Read more at CropLife.com.
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