There's a persistent myth in the startup space, and in agtech especially, that the most important way that corporates can support startups is through direct investments. In our experience, this is an insanely incomplete picture. Agribusiness and agricultural production are complex and enigmatic worlds, and newcomers to the space need guidance and support from advisors, customers, and support infrastructure, just as much as they need capital, if not more. 

Today we’re joined by Kevin McDonald, VP of Customer and Government Relations at Guardian Ag, to hear more about Guardian’s ongoing partnership with Wilbur-Ellis; how it came about, how it’s going, and what other startups and corporates can learn from the experience. 

In this episode, Kevin also speaks about:

• The recent history of ag drone development in the US and what the latest generation of drone-makers have learned from past iterations
• Why a US-based supply chain matters in 2023, and what it means to their customers
• Why Guardian is focusing on creating a tool that integrates with existing equipment tools

Useful Links:

• Partnering with Wilbur-Ellis to Create Sprayer Tool (2022)
• Wilbur-Ellis press release
• Axios story on the announcement
• More on the evolution of drones in agtech from Upstream Ag Insights and Software is Feeding the World 
• SwarmFarm launches Dock and Refill
• We’re fundraising for Tenacious Ventures Fund II, out loud To learn more about investing in Fund II, click here

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The information in this post is not investment advice or a recommendation to invest. It is general information only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should read the information memorandum and seek financial advice from a professional financial adviser. Whilst we believe Information is correct, no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness is given, except for liability under statue which cannot be excluded.