
Why AgTech Startups fail
From CARE Failing Forward by Emily Janoch
April 16, 2026 · 34 min · Episode 130
About this episode
Ankit Chandra and Ishani Lal discuss the reasons behind the failure of AgTech startups and the need to redefine success in the industry.
Robots that get stuck in the mud, a "successful" product a farmer will never use more than once, and a financial model clients can never pay for. Listen to Ankit Chandra and Ishani Lal talk about their article, Why AgTech Startups Fail, what inspired them, and what they learned. The core lesson is that we need to change what counts as success in AgTech. Success is not "does it work in the lab?" Success is, "Will this save the farmer time or money? Will it increase profit and lower risk?" Maybe most importantly, "will any farmer ever choose to use this more than once?"
People in this episode
Host: Emily Janoch
Guests: Ankit Chandra, Ishani Lal
Topics covered
- AgTech
- startups
- farming
- success metrics
- innovation
Keywords
- AgTech
- startups
- farming technology
- success criteria
- innovation
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Why AgTech Startups Fail
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