The FoodTech Stories podcast features the leaders pioneering new approaches to technology, collaboration and storytelling in the FoodTech and AgTech space.
Ep. 13 - Alex Worker / Cornelly Van Der Ven
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This episode features guests Cornelly Van Der Ven, Director, Protein & Plant Based at Danone, and Alex Worker, Founder & Director of Nutrition from Water. They join host Megan Thomas to break down how the right partnership can benefit strategics and startups alike. For the startup, the right partnership can unlock access to vast operational capabilities and consumer understanding, and for the CPG company, it can benefit from the startup partner's nimble innovation.
Ep. 12 - Matt Tom
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Join guest Matt Tom of MTCC, a product development consultancy, on how he applies his engineering and materials science mindset to the development of innovative new FoodTech foods. Matt talks with host Megan Thomas about how to get to product-market fit, something that he has done repeatedly in the FoodTech meat alternative, dairy, and snack space. From plant molecular farming to fiber spinning, catch the latest on emerging FoodTech in this episode.
Ep. 11 - Camille Ryan / Connie Diekman
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Seasoned science and nutrition communicators Connie Diekman and Cami Ryan join host Megan Thomas to talk about the impact that mis-information and dis-information can have on consumer understanding and behavior toward food. From food technology to nutrition facts, this episode breaks down key pain points and learnings around communicating accurate information in a digital world.
Ep. 10 - Dr. Sarah Evanega
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What does it take to build adoption for new technology or a new tech-enabled food in an established industry? Join guest Dr. Sarah Davidson Evanega, VP, Business Development for Okanagan Specialty Fruits, as she speaks with host Megan Thomas about the non-browning Arctic Apple, developed using genetic modification. The episode delves into how to balance consumer and grower benefits with the adoption of an emerging technology in the produce industry.
Ep. 9 - Alex Kopelyan / Dan Altschuler
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Two investors deeply involved in the FoodTech and AgTech space -- Alex Kopelyan, Senior Director & Partner at SOSV’s IndieBio, and Dan Altschuler, Managing Partner / Co-Founder of Unovis Asset Management, join host Megan Thomas for this episode. They share their outlook for private markets, how the Food and FoodTech sectors follow a fundamentally different model from the "disrupt and destroy" model at play in other tech sectors, and how ecosystems like MISTA can help startups to effectively scale production.
Ep. 8 - Laurie Demeritt
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Laurie Demeritt, Owner & CEO of The Hartman Group, joins host Megan Thomas to discuss trends in food culture, including consumer expectations for FoodTech foods, why the beverage category is an easy entry point for consumers, and the emerging product benefits that younger adults are seeking from the foods they choose.
Ep. 7 - Scott May
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Guest Scott May, Founder and Head of MISTA, a multi-dimensional innovation platform and ecosystem for the FoodTech space, talks with host Megan Thomas about the barriers and breakthroughs that innovators face in both startup and corporate companies, and the unique approaches that MISTA is using to connect and support founders, investors, and large CPG and ingredient players.
Ep. 6 - Milton Stokes
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Milton Stokes, PhD, MPH, RD, the Sr. Director, Food and Nutrition for the International Food Information Council (IFIC) joins the podcast to share the latest insights on what consumers think about nutrition and the foods that they choose, the role that registered dietitians can play in reaching consumers, and the interesting intersection of personal values and scientific evidence.
Ep. 5 - Julie Post-Smith
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Guest Julie Post-Smith, Chief of Commercial for FoodTech startup Superbrewed Food, talks with host Megan Thomas about how to effectively deliver new, alternative proteins to strategic partners, while still meeting consumer expectations.
Ep. 4 - Dr. Katie Sanders
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Dr. Katie Sanders, an Assistant Professor at NC State University, joins host Megan Thomas to discuss how bringing a modern perspective to science communications can cultivate better connections and deepen consumer understanding of food and agriculture. Dr. Sanders specializes in science and food systems communication, and also is part of the NC State Extension program: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/
Ep. 3 - Karen LeVert
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Early stage AgTech investor Karen Levert of LeVert Ventures joins host Megan Thomas for a conversation about the outlook for venture investing in the sector, what she looks for in a startup, and the advice that she likes to give to founders.
Ep. 2 - Dan Jenkins
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Dan Jenkins, VP of Regulatory and Government Affairs at CRISPR ag company Pairwise, speaks with host Megan Thomas about his perspectives on how to build alignment around the adoption of emerging technologies in food and agriculture using stakeholder engagement, networking, and other collaboration approaches.
Ep. 1 - Ericca Dennehy
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Our guest today is Ericca Dennehy, Senior Vice President of Account Management with market research firm Acupoll. Ericca talks with host Megan Thomas about the emerging consumer for FoodTech foods and the surprising insights that were uncovered in the recent "Understanding the FoodTech Food Consumer" study conducted with Ladder 17.