Opinion
Scientists seek the truth, investors seek profit - how can the gap be bridged?
"The bridge between scientists and entrepreneurs will not build itself. It requires a strategic vision that sees profitability and values as partners in the same journey," write Ohad Zuckerman and Dr. Galit Sharabani.
The Ag-tech (agricultural technology) and Food-tech industries are facing unprecedented challenges: global food security and the sustainability of agricultural systems are under threat.
At the center of this struggle over the future of food lie two fundamentally different worlds - scientific research, driven by the pursuit of truth, and business investment and entrepreneurship, driven by the need for quick and profitable solutions.
While sectors like cybersecurity and AI enable lightning-fast innovation and quick exits, agriculture advances at a very different pace - it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Developing a new disease-resistant variety, a novel crop-protection product, or a tailored fertilization solution requires patience and long-term vision. Researchers spend years in laboratories validating feasibility, with failure being an inseparable part of the process.
Time and again, entrepreneurs and investors come to realize that in these fields, success demands persistence, a deep understanding of biological processes, and consistent support for research teams.
Studies show that the vast majority of scientific knowledge generated in academia never reaches the stage of commercialization or becomes a marketable product. In practice, many groundbreaking innovations end their journey as papers in prestigious journals, left “on the shelf” rather than translated into real-world solutions.
There are several reasons for this: researchers speak science rather than business, investors look for quick returns, and the maturation process of agricultural technologies is relatively long.
This challenge takes on even greater significance from a global perspective. According to UN forecasts, by 2050 the world’s population will grow by nearly two billion people, while land, water, and energy resources are steadily shrinking. This means that innovative technologies in agriculture and food - ones that can significantly increase crop yields - are no longer a luxury but a necessity.
Governments are investing heavily in research, but without a close connection between academia, entrepreneurs, and investors, much of this knowledge fails to move beyond the lab. International initiatives such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) explicitly highlight Ag-tech and Food-tech as central to the solution. Still, the responsibility for bringing research from the lab and the field to the table rests as much with private companies and investment funds as it does with governments.
A common mistake is to separate profitability from social and environmental values. Agricultural technologies that reduce water use, lower the carbon footprint of food production, or improve soil fertility are not just “good for the planet” - they are strategic assets for the world and offer a clear competitive advantage. Farmers, food corporations, and consumers alike are seeking efficient solutions, and the companies that can deliver them will achieve both economic success and public legitimacy.
Real-world examples already prove this point. Drip irrigation systems from Netafim, once considered a niche innovation, has become an essential tool in global agriculture. Israeli developments such as the cherry tomato - which became a worldwide success thanks to Israeli seed companies that collaborated with scientists from the Faculty of Agriculture of Hebrew University - and solarization, a soil disinfection method that grew out of academia into a global solution, demonstrate how scientific innovation can transform agriculture on a global scale.
Today, sensors that monitor plant, soil, and environmental conditions - such as temperature and humidity sensors, drones, and data management systems for farmers - are no longer pilots; they are an integral part of modern agriculture.
For the intersection of scientific truth and business profitability to work, a broader approach to profit is required. Alongside ROI, more and more funds are now examining social and environmental impact (SROI) and prioritizing companies that can measure it. With tightening global regulations, sustainability is no longer just a moral value but also a business advantage. Companies that adopt green solutions early gain a clear competitive edge.
At the same time, consumers are actively seeking sustainable products and are willing to pay a premium for them. This creates both a growing market and stronger brand loyalty for companies moving in this direction. Beyond immediate gains, companies that embed values into their organizational DNA enjoy a long-term competitive advantage: they generate trust and public legitimacy.
In conclusion, the bridge between scientists and entrepreneurs will not build itself. It requires a strategic vision that sees profitability and values as partners in the same journey. When science meets enlightened entrepreneurship, and investment aligns with responsibility, the solutions that secure the future of agriculture and food are born.
Ohad Zuckerman is the Managing Partner at Copia Agro & Food Technologies.
Dr. Galit Sharabani, Partner at Copia Agro & Food Technologies.
