The Bug Deal: Launching an AI/ML AgriTech Spinout from Scratch
AI-Driven Solutions Fundraising GTM & Commercialization
What happens when BigTech, a VC, and a swarm of smart insects try to disrupt agriculture together?
CLIENT
A leading global impact VC with a taste for disruption — specifically in AgriTech and FoodTech. Since 2017, they’ve raised over $700M and built a portfolio of startups tackling everything from regenerative soil to gut health, all powered by cutting-edge tech and grounded in real-world impact.
THE PROBLEM
A BigTech company had developed a mind-blowingly advanced precision agriculture model — we’re talking insect intelligence meets machine learning meets data firehose. But there was a twist: they didn’t want to take it to market themselves.
Instead, they wanted to spin it out into a standalone startup. Their ask? Retain control over core tech development while licensing it to the startup for commercialization. The VC investor was excited. The science was solid. The impact potential? Off the charts. But... no one had done a deal like this before. Not the VC. Not BigTech. Not anyone. They were walking into uncharted territory — high potential, but high complexity.
OUR APPROACH
First, we brought the story to life. We built a pitch deck that translated science-speak into investor gold — clearly positioning the startup as a mission-aligned, venture-ready business with a bold roadmap and global relevance.
Then, we made the roadmap real. We mapped out a commercialization strategy that didn’t just sound good in theory — it addressed market entry, competitive dynamics, GTM tactics, and the operational steps needed to move from zero to scale.
And finally, we structured the deal. We helped align incentives, manage expectations, and negotiate terms across three very different players: BigTech, the VC, and the fledgling startup. The outcome? A clean, first-of-its-kind collaboration model that actually worked.
THE RESULTS
The startup was successfully formed, funded, and launched. Our efforts unlocked €10M+ in blended funding and resources — combining VC equity, in-kind technical support, and co-development commitments from BigTech.
Even more importantly, we helped create a blueprint for future partnerships between tech giants and mission-driven investors — and brought one wild idea a few steps closer to transforming how we feed the world.