b"Commodity agriculture is a volume game, Chen says. Andimpact-focused. That ethos comes with experience.in the U.S., weve solved the calorie deficit. Now we need to solveThis June marks 20 years for me in this industry, Chen says. the nutrition deficit, and we need to make sure farmers get paidAnd Id tell any innovator: set your expectations. Theres no such for solving it. thing as an overnight success.In today's system, farmers are price takers. ZeaKal wants toInstead of chasing trends, ZeaKal has remained laser-focused flip that. By building traceable, high-value markets for nutrient- on building long-term partnershipsfrom land-grant universi-rich and carbon-smart crops, the NewType model positionsties to multinational agribusinesses. For Chen, trust and consist-growers as price makers. ency matter more than hype.We ask: What if the crop the farmer grows is actually whatDont be the company that pivots every year, he says. Be the industry wants? Chen says. Can we bring the end-user allthe one that stays true to its vision, builds trust, and creates real the way back to the seed and uplift the whole value chain? value.That trustand that visionare paying off. In 2026, From Policy to Plants PhotoSeed will reach growers hands. Chen says the science is If Chens passion for system-wide change sounds personal, it is.behind them. Now comes the impact.He didnt begin his career in science or agtech. He was a politicalWeve set the table. Now its time to bring the steak, Chen science major who once envisioned a future in diplomacy. says.I thought I was going to work for the State Department, maybe save babies or solve conflicts, Chen says with a grin. ButIn 10 Years one of my professors told me Id be stamping passports for theChen says that 10 years from now, farmers wont just be next 10 years. Thats when I pivoted. producing cropstheyll be producing nutritional and carbon He moved into venture capital, believing capital could drivesolutions. He hopes theyll take pride in growing with purpose change faster than policy. But finance left him coldit wasfor the futurealways a zero-sum game. Agriculture, on the other hand, offeredI want growers to say, I know where my crop ends up. I something else entirely. know Im feeding people better. I know Im part of the energy Theres only one thing that improves the human condition transition, he says.innovation, he says. And theres no better place for innovationAnd for consumers?than agriculture. Its the foundation of our society. I hope they look at a bottle of oil, a chicken breast, or a plane ticket and see the label Powered by PhotoSeed, Chen says. I Building an Ecosystem, Not Just a Company want them to know that means somethingthat theyre choos-Chen says ZeaKal has always been lean; capital-efficient anding sustainability, equity, and innovation.SWPerennial ryegrass containing PhotoSeed technology. PHOTO: AGRESEARCH LTD.14/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2025"