AgriNovus Indiana

He’s an entrepreneur turned venture capitalist and today, he’s on the podcast. Christopher “Toph” Day, the new CEO of Elevate Ventures, joins us to talk about the venture fund’s work in Indiana, helping companies beyond capital and making intentional connections to bring big ideas together. He also digs into the agbiosciences, opportunities for growth and what can be expected ahead for the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.&nbsp;

He’s an entrepreneur turned venture capitalist and today, he’s on the podcast. Christopher “Toph” Day, the new CEO of Elevate Ventures, joins us to talk about the venture fund’s work in Indiana, helping companies beyond capital and making intentional connections to bring big ideas together. He also digs into the agbiosciences, opportunities for growth and what can be expected ahead for the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

194. Bringing big ideas to life

Making a difference in the world – it’s nearly a universal desire for all of us. But where do you fit in? And how best to you make an impact? One college student is making that impact and blazing their trail. Cameron Weber, a biology major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a Field Atlas Ambassador, joins us today to talk their path to agbioscience, including:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>Talking to two kinds of people – those that grew up on the farm and those who stumbled into it and are happy they did. Cameron is in the latter&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Wanting to originally be a doctor until getting connected with Field Atlas at a career fair and learning more about agbioscience.&nbsp;</li><li>Finding a new path and forging your way forward as a college student&nbsp;</li><li>Their six-month internship with Corteva Agriscience as a greenhouse assistant in Puerto Rico&nbsp;</li><li>Field Atlas Ambassadors – what do they do? And what has Cameron’s experience been like in their five semesters with the team?&nbsp;</li><li>Cameron’s advice for companies searching for young talent (hint: it’s not ping pong tables in the breakroom and pizza on Fridays)&nbsp;</li><li>Working on their thesis as they wrap up their time at Rose-Hulman&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Cameron’s plans headed into graduation this spring – pssssss – they're currently looking for a job....&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>

Cameron Weber

Field Atlas Ambassador, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Making a difference in the world – it’s nearly a universal desire for all of us. But where do you fit in? And how best to you make an impact? One college student is making that impact and blazing their trail. Cameron Weber, a biology major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a Field Atlas Ambassador, joins us today to talk their path to agbioscience.

345. Stumbling into agbioscience, forging your path in college + what young talent wants with Field Atlas’ Cameron Weber  

As the first month of 2025 comes to a close, Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap a few of the biggest stories in agbioscience, reasons for optimism on net cash farm income and tease a few upcoming episodes of Agbioscience.

As the first month of 2025 comes to a close, Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap a few of the biggest stories in agbioscience, reasons for optimism on net cash farm income and tease a few upcoming episodes of Agbioscience.

344. AgriNovus' Mitch Frazier recaps January, big wins for Gripp + Croft, Velocity's launch + reasons for optimism in 2025

Much has changed in agbioscience over the last three decades. We’ve seen the introduction of gene editing technologies, new digital capabilities, even autonomy. One leader has had a front-row seat to these innovations. He’ll soon retire, but joins us today to share perspective on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Dan Dawes, Senior Director of Strategy and Growth at AgriNovus joins us to talk about his career and the highlight reel of groundbreaking innovations in agbioscience. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>What has kept Dan in agbioscience all these years, his connectivity to the farm and wanting others to feel the same sense of reward that he did.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>The macro perspective and many cycles of the agbioscience economy – it's down for now, but it’s never forever.&nbsp;</li><li>What innovations excited Dan the most throughout his decades long career; but also, which ones did he not see coming?&nbsp;</li><li>Indiana’s unfair advantage – its people.&nbsp;</li><li>Dan’s biggest lessons in leadership, giving those you’re leading a map to success and the criticality in finding joy in the work that you do.&nbsp;</li><li>Finding a mentor as a guide to growing in your career – and beyond – and an update on what’s ahead for Dan.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Dan Dawes

Senior Director of Growth + Strategy, AgriNovus

Much has changed in agbioscience over the last three decades. We’ve seen the introduction of gene editing technologies, new digital capabilities, even autonomy. One leader has had a front-row seat to these innovations. He’ll soon retire, but joins us today to share perspective on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Dan Dawes, Senior Director of Strategy and Growth at AgriNovus joins us to talk about his career and the highlight reel of groundbreaking innovations in agbioscience. 

343. AgriNovus’ Dan Dawes on Indiana’s unfair advantage, biggest lessons in leadership + reflections on agbioscience innovation

Keeping the heart of the heartland requires two key things when we think about growing small towns, cities and rural economies: big vision and lots of hard work. Today’s guest is no stranger to either and shares a great perspective on how one small community in the Midwest is reimagining itself into an epicenter of innovation. Nichole Like, CEO of The Pantheon, an innovation engine in Vincennes, Indiana joins us to talk:&nbsp;<ul><li>Investing in small communities while also honoring their heritage to make them a destination for newcomers to move to and hometown kids to return to for their careers.&nbsp;</li><li>The steady decline of entrepreneurial activity in rural America and The Pantheon’s vision to create the economy they want – not the way they’re given.&nbsp;</li><li>Vincennes as Indiana’s first city has big stats to tout – including Knox County leading in ag receipts, being the #1 producer of fruit and vegetable production in Indiana and #2 in the United States for melon production.&nbsp;</li><li>The simple, but effective, equation to building an agtech ecosystem: bring really smart, progressive farmers to the table with innovators to solve critical problems facing their operations.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Creating community buy-in and the importance of local support to drive local economies.&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for The Pantheon and Indiana’s first city.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Nichole Like

CEO, The Pantheon

Keeping the heart of the heartland requires two key things when we think about growing small towns, cities and rural economies: big vision and lots of hard work. Today’s guest is no stranger to either and shares a great perspective on how one small community in the Midwest is reimagining itself into an epicenter of innovation. Nichole Like, CEO of The Pantheon, an innovation engine in Vincennes, Indiana gets into creating an agtech hub in Vincennes, Indiana and the importance of leaving a place better than you found it.

342. The Pantheon’s Nichole Like on growing a rural economy, creating an agtech hub in Vincennes + leaving things better than you found them

According to AgFunder News, gene editing startups have raised $2.7 billion since 2012 in pursuit of technologies that advance everything from crop performance to yield. Today we are joined by a pioneer in science at the largest pure play agriculture company in the world. Dr. Wendy Srnic, VP of Biotechnology at Corteva Agriscience, to talk gene editing and its future. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>What is gene editing and how does it differ from genetically modified crops?&nbsp;</li><li>How gene editing affects that broader value chain and food system at large.&nbsp;</li><li>Corteva’s partnership with Pairwise via their investment vehicle, Corteva Catalyst, and how they plan to leverage gene editing to make fruits and vegetables more accessible and nutritious.&nbsp;</li><li>The objective of Corteva Catalyst to advance external technologies that align with the company’s internal R&amp;D strategy – and the importance of staying nimble to seize opportunities and drive outcomes whether they are joint ventures, acquisitions, investments or traditional collaborations.&nbsp;</li><li>Wendy’s perspective on where we’re at in the evolution of biotechnology, what’s emerging and how artificial intelligence (AI) is speeding up – and de-risking – the scientific discovery process.&nbsp;</li><li>What does AI bring to the future of a partnership like that of Corteva and Pairwise?&nbsp;</li></ul>

Dr. Wendy Srnic

VP of Biotechnology, Corteva Agriscience

According to AgFunder News, gene editing startups have raised $2.7 billion since 2012 in pursuit of technologies that advance everything from crop performance to yield. Today we are joined by a pioneer in science at the largest pure play agriculture company in the world. Dr. Wendy Srnic, VP of Biotechnology at Corteva Agriscience, to talk gene editing and its future. 

341.  Corteva’s Wendy Srnic on gene editing, the Pairwise partnership and artificial intelligence adding speed to biotechnology

According to Zion Market Research, the ag biological products market is expected to grow to $320 billion over the next decade. With a huge connection to agbioscience, what does it mean for farmers? What does it mean for agbioscience innovators? Kicking off season 8 of Agbioscience is BioBond CEO Marc McConnaughey. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>What exactly is the bioproducts market and how is demand growing?&nbsp;</li><li>How BioBond’s sustainable adhesives and protective coatings created a eureka moment for Marc as a serial entrepreneur.&nbsp;</li><li>The Generation Food Rural Partners Fund and its partnership to help BioBond grow its business in rural Indiana.&nbsp;</li><li>BioBond’s strategy as a technology execution platform that licenses from universities and how its position near Purdue has created opportunities for innovation + talent.&nbsp;</li><li>Indiana farmers as a critical piece to BioBond’s future and how the state is a perfect storm of location, logistics and people to aid in their success.&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for BioBond? Hint: continued focus on the customer and of course, revenue.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Marc McConnaughey

CEO, BioBond

According to Zion Market Research, the ag biological products market is expected to grow to $320 billion over the next decade. BioBond CEO, Marc McConnaughey, joins us to talk about its connection to agbioscience and what it means for innovators and farmers.

340. BioBond’s Marc McConnaughey on bioproducts, university partnerships and Indiana as a perfect storm of location, logistics + people

This weekly podcast dives into agbioscience, where agriculture, life sciences and cutting-edge technology converge. Agbioscience is an in-depth conversation with leaders and entrepreneurs across food, animal health, plant science and agtech. This one-of-a-kind podcast offers updates on the latest advancements and future trends from those at the forefront of agbioscience innovation.

Making a difference in the world – it’s nearly a universal desire for all of us. But where do you fit in? And how best to you make an impact? One college student is making that impact and blazing their trail. Cameron Weber, a biology major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a Field Atlas Ambassador, joins us today to talk their path to agbioscience, including:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Talking to two kinds of people – those that grew up on the farm and those who stumbled into it and are happy they did. Cameron is in the latter&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Wanting to originally be a doctor until getting connected with Field Atlas at a career fair and learning more about agbioscience.&nbsp;</li><li>Finding a new path and forging your way forward as a college student&nbsp;</li><li>Their six-month internship with Corteva Agriscience as a greenhouse assistant in Puerto Rico&nbsp;</li><li>Field Atlas Ambassadors – what do they do? And what has Cameron’s experience been like in their five semesters with the team?&nbsp;</li><li>Cameron’s advice for companies searching for young talent (hint: it’s not ping pong tables in the breakroom and pizza on Fridays)&nbsp;</li><li>Working on their thesis as they wrap up their time at Rose-Hulman&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Cameron’s plans headed into graduation this spring – pssssss – she's currently looking for a job....&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>

194. Bringing big ideas to life

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Mitch Frazier

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