Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA
Harry Duran
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S10E137 Max Knight and Eric Roth/Rooted Robotics - From Seed to Harvest: How Rooted Robotics is Transforming Small-Scale Farming
In this episode, I speak with Max Knight and Eric Roth, the Co-founders of Rooted Robotics. We dive into their journey from meeting at a large-scale vertical farm to starting their own company focused on affordable automation solutions for small and medium-sized farms. Max shares how his passion for robotics and engineering led to the creation of Rooted Robotics, while Eric discusses his extensive experience in the Agtech space and how it has shaped their approach to solving labor challenges in vertical farming. We also explore the evolution of their business model, the importance of understanding unit economics, and the innovative products they are developing to help farmers increase efficiency and profitability. Max and Eric's insights into the industry, combined with their genuine desire to support and collaborate with other farmers, make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of vertical farming and agricultural technology. Join us for an engaging conversation that highlights the practical solutions and real-world experiences driving success in the Agtech industry. Thanks to Our SponsorsCEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/ Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag/ Key Takeaways5:46 Lessons from Kalera 15:30 Microgreens Seeder Innovation 19:43 Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Farms 24:46 Challenges Faced by Small Farm Owners 31:02 Maximilian and Eric's Comprehensive Farming Business Insights 35:05 AI and Robotics in Agriculture 38:27 Computer Vision in Vertical Farming 47:01 Balancing Custom Projects and Core Products 51:22 Advice for New Growers in the Industry Tweetable Quotes"We saw that labor is one of the biggest operating expenses of these facilities. There needs to be a middle ground where you do a lot of automation, but more affordably.""The biggest lesson learned, especially when scaling, is understanding you might not have to automate your entire system on day one, but you need to plan for it.""We need more collaboration and openness in the industry. A rising tide lifts all ships, and we need to create more positive stories about successful businesses."Resources MentionedWebsite - https://www.rootedrobotics.com/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@RootedRobotics Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootedrobotics/ Max’s LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/maximilianknight Eric’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdroth/ Connect With UsVFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/ VFP Facebook - a href="https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod"...
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