Timing Is Everything: Unlocking the Next Wave of Living Biologicals

17 Mar 2026
Willow Breakout Room
Breakout Sessions

Geopolitical conflict in the Middle East is once again highlighting the central role fertilizer plays in global food systems. Biologicals have long been explored as a solution and are becoming an increasingly important component of modern crop programs. But the bar for performance is rising quickly - products must deliver consistent, repeatable results at scale. How do we separate signal from noise? This breakout will explore how next-generation biological products are being designed for reliable field performance under real-world conditions. We’ll discuss how discovery, engineering, formulation, and deployment strategies are evolving to support adoption - turning biological potential into outcomes growers can trust across millions of acres.

Hosted by:
Switch Bioworks

Host
Tim Schnabel
Tim Schnabel, Founder and CEO - SWITCH BIOWORKS
Speakers
Neal Gutterson
Neal Gutterson, Partner & CTO - RADICLE GROWTH
Derek Norman
Derek Norman, VP of Venture Investments Agriculture - LEAPS BY BAYER
Björn Heinz
Björn Heinz, Investment Director - YARA GROWTH VENTURES