Vertical Farming Podcast - S9E110: Robin Vincent / CanobiTech - Journey of Canobi Technologies: A Glimpse into Tech Leadership and Sustainable Agriculture

S9E110: Robin Vincent / CanobiTech - Journey of Canobi Technologies: A Glimpse into Tech Leadership and Sustainable Agriculture

09/08/23 • 49 min

Have you ever wondered how the world of technology collides with the world of agriculture? Prepare to be spellbound as we sit down with Robin Vincent, the tech-savvy CEO and CINNO of Canobi Technologies. Robin takes us through his fascinating journey, from his early fascination with technology and his evolution from infrastructure architect to CEO. He paints a vivid picture of his personal project to reduce the mortality rate of stingrays and seahorses, a venture that guided him towards the creation of Canobi.

The conversation takes a deep dive as we explore the company’s growth, challenges, and its unique product offerings. Robin enlightens us about their Agri-agent network, and the relentless testing that takes place in their in-house lab. From the plains of Kenya to the valleys of South Africa, we traverse the rising interest in agriculture, the impact of Canobi Academy's online education, and the exhilaration of being part of a nascent industry. We also touch on the upcoming Green Tech and Innovation Summit conferences and the ripple effects they will have on the industry.

As our conversation winds down, we delve into the innovative world of vertical farming, looking at energy efficiency and the potential of integrating different technologies. Robin talks about the importance of collaboration, the richness of experiential learning, and how Canobi Technologies is empowering farmers with technology. Robin's optimism and excitement for what lies ahead in the vertical farming industry are infectious. So join us on this insightful journey with Robin Vincent!

Thanks to Our SponsorsAgTech Marketing Team

Vertifarm - Use code VFPODCAST23

CEA Summit East

Key Takeaways

0:00:20 - Navigating the CEO Journey

0:03:44 - Love for Tech and Electronics Origins

0:21:50 - Ubuntu Wellness and Growing Nutritious Food

0:26:36 - Conference Travel and Networking Discussion

0:33:43 - Energy Efficiency in Farming Innovations

0:39:26 - Loneliness and Challenges of Entrepreneurship

0:43:04 - Importance of Social Component in Organizations

Tweetable Quotes

"I see the world as vastly unfinished... I see solutions, I don't really see problems."

"We learned an awful lot more from our failures than our successes. While we're busy trying to break everything and figure out how not to grow strawberries, we're also trying to figure out how to keep them going."

"Every single human being on this planet could have access to food. We now have the technical ability to grow food anywhere on this planet."

Resources Mentioned

Robin's Website - https://canobiagtech.com/

Robin's Linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/company/71643741

Robin's Email - [email protected]

Robin's Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/canobitech

Robin's Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/canobitech

Robin's Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/CanobiTechnologies

Robin's Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@canobiagtech

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer -

Thanks to Our SponsorsAgTech Marketing Team

Vertifarm - Use code VFPODCAST23

CEA Summit East

Key Takeaways

0:00:20 - Navigating the CEO Journey

0:03:44 - Love for Tech and Electronics Origins

0:21:50 - Ubuntu Wellness and Growing Nutritious Food

0:26:36 - Conference Travel and Networking Discussion

0:33:43 - Energy Efficiency in Farming Innovations

0:39:26 - Loneliness and Challenges of Entrepreneurship

0:43:04 - Importance of Social Component in Organizations

Tweetable Quotes

"I see the world as vastly unfinished... I see solutions, I don't really see problems."

"Every single human being on this planet could have access to food. We now have the technical ability to grow food anywhere on this planet."

Resources Mentioned

Robin's Website - https://canobiagtech.com/

Robin's Linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/company/71643741

Robin's Email - [email protected]

Robin's Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/canobitech

Robin's Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/canobitech

Robin's Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/CanobiTechnologies

Robin's Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@canobiagtech

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer -

Previous Episode

S9E109: Lotte Van Rijn / Certhon - From Greenhouse Child to Vertical Farming Leader: A Nautical Journey

Have you ever wondered about the unseen intricacies of greenhouse farming and the immense potential of vertical farms? Join us on a fascinating journey with our guest, Lotte Van Rijn, General Manager of Certhon, as she peels back the layers of her expansive knowledge and experiences in the industry. From the lush greenhouses of the Netherlands to the dream of circumnavigating the globe, Lotte’s life is as vibrant and varied as the crops she helps foster.

Lotte takes us through his formative years in the industry, highlighting the significance of talent strategies and the exciting marriage of technology and plant science. This intriguing intersection, she explains, has been key in the development of innovative solutions in greenhouses and vertical farms. As she walks us through her journey, she also discusses the critical role of mentors and visionaries who have moulded her career, offering valuable insights for anyone seeking to tread a similar path.

Lastly, Lotte shares her perspectives on the profound impacts of Covid on the greenhouse industry and the promising rise of vertical farms. She delves into the exciting prospects these changes present, such as the potential of functional foods and the promise of sustainable solutions to major global concerns. So, whether you're an expert in the field or just interested in the future of food, this episode is packed with valuable insights straight from the heart of the industry. Don't forget, Lotte encourages listeners to reach out with any questions, extending the spirit of collaboration beyond the confines of their greenhouses!

Thanks to Our SponsorsAgTech Marketing Team

Vertifarm - Use code VFPODCAST23

CEA Summit East

Horti Agri Next MEA

Key Takeaways

0:00:03 - From Greenhouses to Open Waters

0:05:24 - Greenhouse Industry and Robotics Collaboration

0:20:17 - Greenhouse and Vertical Farming Innovations

0:30:53 - Collaboration and Innovation in Vertical Farming

Tweetable Quotes

"The difference between cultures, that there is so much more possible than your own vision or your own way to live. There are much more ways to live and you have a choice and there is a choice." - Lotte van Rijn"Growing is a job. It's difficult to grow, it's a real job. Plant science is difficult. So that's what I told you before the combination between AgTech. It's not that easy that you combine technology and nature and plants." - Lotte van Rijn"For me there is no big difference. And so what I find interesting is I've just now started going to the indoor farming conferences, so I've been to indoor ICON and I'll be at the indoor tech summit in New York City at the end of June." - Lotte van Rijn

Resources Mentioned

Lotte Van's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lotte-van-rijn-49947710/

Lotte Van's Email - [email protected]

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

Sponsor Links

Cultivatd’s Website – https://cultivatd.com/

Cultivatd’s Instagram –

Next Episode

S9E111: Ralph Weir / Zayndu - From Semiconductors to Seeding: A Tech CEO's Green Evolution

Growing up in the rugged landscapes of Scotland, our guest Ralph Weir, CEO of Zayndu, has traversed a fascinating journey - from the world of semiconductors and mobile television to the cutting-edge realm of vertical farming. Ralph's story is not just a narrative of professional evolution, but a testament to the power of adaptability and innovation. Join us as we uncover how Ralph's Scottish roots, his father's profound influence, and a chance encounter with the world of agriculture shaped his incredible journey.

Zayndu, under Ralph's leadership, is revolutionizing the farming landscape using plasma technology. This episode dives into the crux of their trailblazing work centered on leveraging plasma to enhance crop growth, optimize seeds per specific growing systems, and significantly reduce costs - transforming vertical farming into an accessible venture for small-scale farmers. We also ponder over the intriguing concepts of differential pricing and 'snooze mode' for seasonal planting, with Ralph providing us with his insights on the same.

Despite the numerous challenges posed by the global pandemic and Brexit, Zayndu's resilience and commitment to their mission remain unwavering. As we navigate through the complexities of leadership, the nuances of technology, and the future of vertical farming, we get a glimpse into the potential of decision-making rooted in facts, and the importance of clean seeds in a vertical farm. Tune in and get inspired by this compelling story of innovation, resilience, and passion for the environment.

Thanks to Our SponsorsAgTech Marketing Team

CEA Summit East

Horti Agri Next MEA

Key Takeaways

0:00:01 - Vertical Farming and Scottish Origins

0:16:11 - Zayndu

0:20:26 - Leadership and Managing Through Challenging Times

0:27:13 - Plasma Technology in Agriculture

0:46:38 - The Future of Vertical Farming

0:57:16 - Discovering and Connecting with Inspiring Stories

Tweetable Quotes

"When you're in a hole, the bomb doesn't count the pips. His point was if you're doing a job it doesn't matter if you're a major or the lowest rank. The bomb doesn't care. You're a team, do it together."

"I think that in many ways, that transition from the world of semiconductors came through a series of other startups looking at things like aircraft efficiency and really starting to look at what can we do not to change the way people have to live, but to bring things into line to make what people need achievable within the bounds of what the world can provide."

"Plasma is this fourth state of matter. It's a high energy state and instead of having these very solid bonds that the ice had, they became looser with the water, looser again with the gas and we actually start to split up the molecules so they become separate ions and at that point a lot of interesting things happen."