Harnessing First Principles in AgTech Innovation
The reality is that good agricultural technology often suffocates under the blanket of our adherence to social mimicry...
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” - Matthew 7:13-14
Most people believe that agtech predominantly fails due to product deficiency, but this is not true.
The reality is that good agricultural technology often suffocates under the blanket of our adherence to social mimicry.
This is what Peter Thiel would call memetic behavior. In other words, people's sense of success is defined by consensus instead of innate purpose.
I advise a lot of founders in #agtech who are struggling right now.
“It's a hard time to raise money.”
“Nobody believes in us; it's just this small community.”
People keep looking at us funny when we talk about our future vision.”
“Are we even right about this?”
These are real problems that need solving, but my first response is always to ask one more critical question:
“Do we still believe in the first principles of our idea or not?”
Aristotle defined a first principle as “the first basis from which a thing is known.”
First principles thinkers don’t assume anything.
In the words of the French philosopher Rene Descartes they “systematically doubt everything they possibly can doubt until left with what they perceive as purely indubitable truths.”
If your agtech startup is not working and you no longer believe in the fundamental thinking behind it, then it's time to close up shop. Full stop. Don’t waste any more time on this idea.
But if your agtech startup is not working and you still believe in the first principles, you now have a fundamental market advantage - it's time to double down.
Remember that:
Until 1830, everyone harvested crops by hand.
Until 1868, every field task on the farm relied on animal power.
In 1977, DEC co-founder Ken Olsen quipped, “There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.”
Until 1996, straight rows were something farmers worried about and lived without.
Until 2007, most people thought their cell phones needed more buttons.
Don’t allow yourself to live with the consequences of other people’s thinking. Identify your specialty, your gift, and continue evangelizing the future it creates.
Your idea is not right when public opinion breaks in your favor. You're right when you're first principle thinking is right.
Make something different. Make people care. Make fans, not followers.