Chief Executive Officer - Sprout Agritech
Sprout Agritech Ltd aspires to be a world-leader in the Agritech and FoodTech sectors, driving innovative entrepreneurs and companies in the global food value chain to develop technological solutions for some of humanity’s biggest challenges, such as climate change, environmental degradation, population growth and food inequity.
Established by Palmerston North-based business incubator The Factory, Sprout has worked with agritech and future food innovators since 2015, successfully accelerating numerous start-ups and building relationships across New Zealand’s agri and investment communities. This exciting company brings together world-class agritech and future food accelerator, Sprout, with iconic New Zealand corporation Fonterra and international investors Finistere Ventures and OurCrowd. The partnership – with backing from Callaghan Innovation, significantly increases the capital and expertise available for agritech and future food start-ups in New Zealand, opening up greater access to global markets and international investment networks. Since Sprout establishment, 7 investments have been made, building a portfolio that includes MenuAid, Protag, Aimer, Apro-tech and ScentianBio.
Position details
With an experienced Board in place, Sprout Agritech Ltd is seeking a dynamic Chief Executive to lead the next stage of growth and position the company as a world-class agrifood ‘Technology Incubator’. This is a rare leadership opportunity in New Zealand and comes at a critical period for the Agritech and FoodTech sectors. It requires an experienced CEO with an entrepreneurial mindset, outstanding strategic and organisational leadership skills, and a passion for working with agritech and FoodTech companies and entrepreneurs who think big, and act fast!
The CEO will need to take Sprout from “good to great” during the next 2-3 years, which are underpinned by operating and capital funding from Sprout’s shareholders, limited partners and Callaghan, to establish a sustainable business model based on portfolio performance.
The ideal candidate will come with deep experience in a tech start-up or venture capital environment and lead robust strategy development and planning within the Sprout team to identify, plan and deliver the key initiatives and outcomes. Sprout needs to be able to connect deep tech innovation with global investors, take science into startups - the CEO must be able to engage positively with a wide range of stakeholders from founders to farmers, to express the Sprout value proposition. The CEO must have a truly global mindset, setting world-class expectations (both within the Sprout team and within the ventures) of the potential and outcomes from ventures in terms of opportunity, performance and impact. Sustainability of Sprout will depend on investment portfolio performance. The CEO must bring a RoI mindset with a view to harnessing capital, capability, connections and culture to deliver impact … economically, environmentally and socially.
The role is based in the Lower North Island, with flexible commuting arrangements available.
Sprout Agritech is partnering with NZ executive search firm, Kerridge & Partners in this appointment process. For expressions of interest, please contact Adelene Lynch on Adelene.lynch@kerridgepartners.com.