Q&A with Grow-NY Judge Kimberly A. Wagner, PhD

At the Grow-NY Summit this November, a panel of five expert judges will evaluate our 20 finalists’ pitches and determine which startups will take home a $1 million grand prize investment, two $500,000 investments, and four $250,000 investments. One of those judges will be Kimberly A. Wagner, PhD, a seasoned executive in the life sciences, food and nutrition, and agribusiness sectors who brings decades of experience in strategy, operations, and innovation to her role. 

Kim currently serves as Managing Partner at TBGD Partners and as a board director for several public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Previously, she was an equity partner at The Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey & Company, as well as a Venture Partner at Flagship Pioneering. Across these roles, she has combined her scientific background with business expertise to help organizations navigate challenging and complex environments. 

Kim also brings firsthand experience as a food and beverage business owner. She and her husband are the founders and owners of Stoutridge Distillery & Winery in Marlboro, New York, where they produce award-winning wines and spirits. Her experience spans both sides of the table, giving her a perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing entrepreneurs as they develop and bring new products to market. 

We spoke with Kim about what makes the Grow-NY region an attractive place for food and agriculture startups, the advice she has for entrepreneurs launching new ventures, and the technologies and trends she sees creating opportunities across the industry. 

Why do you think food and ag startups should consider putting down roots in the Grow-NY region? 

It’s an area rich in both knowledge and business need. There is a wealth of technical experts as well as potential customers and consumers. You don’t have to travel far to assemble a complete ecosystem. 

As a business owner yourself, what advice do you have for food and agriculture innovators launching new ventures? 

Your products have to add value immediately and still leave room for the business owner to make a reasonable margin. I think many entrepreneurs aren’t fully aware of how slim margins are in the food and agriculture sector. 

What excites you about being a Grow-NY judge? 

Since the beginning I’ve enjoyed being a Grow-NY application screening judge in the earlier selection rounds. Being part of the final round provides an opportunity to ask questions directly to the principals. As a curious person, the in-person interaction adds to the fun. 

What are the most interesting trends and opportunities you currently see in food and agriculture? 

There are many technologies that have passed through the early proof-of-concept phases in other sectors and are now available to adapt to the challenges of the food and agriculture sectors. It doesn’t guarantee success, but it helps to manage product development risks. 

The Grow-NY Summit will take place November 12-13 at the DoubleTree Rochester in Rochester, NY and virtually. Register here.