Next Heroes

Leading the Charge in Sustainable Agriculture Through Microbial Innovation Ananda Scherner was appointed as the CEO of Agrobiomics in September 2024. With a PhD in Plant Sciences and a strong background in agronomy, Ananda brings over 7 years of experience in the Crop Protection Industry. She has held key roles in leading agricultural and Ag-tech […]

Pioneering Sustainable Agriculture with Acoustic Sensing Technology Dr. Casey Woodward is the Founder and CEO of AgriSound, a British agri-tech start-up focused on using advanced acoustic sensing technology to monitor pollinator activity and improve agricultural sustainability. With a PhD in Biological Sciences and a background in business development, Dr. Woodward has been a key player […]

Harnessing AI to Drive Sustainability and Reduce Supply Chain Emissions Ajay Varadharajan is an engineer turned climate-tech entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience as a climate scientist. With formal training in Sustainable Systems and Mechanical Engineering, he founded GreenSwapp AI to address tough climate challenges using AI and technology. Ajay’s platform helps retailers and […]

Innovating Food Sustainability Through AI and Data-Driven Solutions Justus Lauten is the founder and CEO of Foodforecast, a company that harnesses the power of AI and machine learning to drive innovation in the food industry. With a background in computer science and extensive entrepreneurial experience, Justus is passionate about sustainability and reducing food waste. His […]

An Innovator’s Quest for Sustainable Global Trade Stephan van Sint Fiet joined Vivici as CEO in March 2023, bringing over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology and food industries. Driven by a passion for purposeful innovation, Stephan is committed to building forward-thinking organizations—startups and global leaders alike—that create sustainable impact. At Vivici, he leads […]

Leading the Future of Livestock Management Through Innovation Joachim Kähler is the CEO of Nofence, the company behind the world’s first commercial virtual fencing system for livestock. With a strong belief in technology’s power to solve real-world challenges, Joachim leads Nofence in redefining livestock management to support animal welfare and sustainable agriculture. He brings deep […]

Driving the Regenerative Future of Agriculture Through Tech and Collaboration Robert Gerlach is an impact-driven entrepreneur at the crossroads of technology and sustainability. As CEO and co-founder of Klim, he leads the company’s mission to accelerate regenerative agriculture through scalable digital solutions. With a Ph.D. in Engineering Science from Oxford and over 15 years of […]

Pioneering Crop Innovation for a Resilient, Sustainable Future Ross Hendron, Ph.D., is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wild Bioscience Ltd, an innovative spinout from the University of Oxford. With a bioinformatics, genetic engineering, and plant biology research background, Ross co-invented the foundational technology behind Wild Bioscience, which applies wild plant evolution to develop resilient crop […]

Transforming Agriculture with Microbial Innovation for Sustainable Growth Dr. Paul Rutten is the CEO and Founder of Concert Bio, a pioneering biotech company focused on restoring missing microbes in greenhouse and soilless farming systems. With a PhD in plant-microbe interactions from the University of Oxford, Paul has leveraged his deep expertise to create Overture™, Concert […]

Empowering the Agri-Food Transition Through Innovation and Connection Rieks Smook is the CEO of Grassa, bringing over 30 years of global experience in food, agri, and sustainable business development. With a passion for building bridges between people, cultures, and industries, Rieks combines deep financial and F&A expertise to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable […]