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Learn from a Local: Michael Santiago, CEO of FloraPulse
March 7 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
A bout Our Speaker: Michael Santiago
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Michael Santiago received his Mechanical Engineering PhD from Cornell University, where he developed a microchip breakthrough to measure water stress in trees and vines. Michael spun-out his thesis research into FloraPulse, a Davis-based AgTech company that services vineyards and orchards worldwide. Michael is not only an inventor on multiple patents, but he and his firm have had to set up commercial manufacturing and assembly of his technology into a field-deployable sensor, set up distribution for his products, and develop a family of enabling components to transform his idea into an easy-to-use solution for his firm’s customers. Along the way, Michael has raised millions in investment from (primarily) non-dilutive sources. The story of Michael’s journey as an entrepreneur has lessons for many others in the seasonal agricultural technology field.
About FloraPulse
FloraPulse has evolved the science of water management by acquiring data directly from the plant, providing crop managers and researchers accurate, automated measurements on plant water status. FloraPulse’s easy-to-install new microT system comprises patented hardware and software for each user to directly manage water stress in their vineyards and orchards, reducing water and labor costs and risks while increasing yields, plant quality and environmental health. After initially launching their product in 2019 with pilot customers, Davis California-based FloraPulse is now a profitable business with product sales in 22 countries.
A bout The Series: Learn From a Local
Learn from a Local is an on-going speaker series hosted by AgStart, a non-profit organization supporting entrepreneurs advancing innovation in agriculture, food, and health. Typically on the 1st Thursday evening of every month, AgStart hosts a local speaker from the agriculture, food, and health world to speak on a topic relevant to our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our goal is to offer a space to connect with local individuals and learn from leaders in our local AgriFoodTech sector on topics relevant to our AgStart community. Events take place in our AgStart Event Center: 1100 Main St., Suite 170, Woodland, CA 95695. An approximate event agenda is detailed below.
L earn more at www.agstart.org