Doon Insights

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Overview


is Dear Friends and Colleagues:


We're delighted to announce that we will host the program for our 12th annual AgTech and FoodTech Workshops on May 14 and 15, in Pescadero California at the beautiful TomKat Ranch​!


TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation​ is a regenerative ranch dedicated to sustainable land stewardship, climate-friendly agriculture, and food system education. The ranch serves as a living laboratory, sharing insights with ranchers, policymakers, and food system leaders to create a more resilient future. We're thrilled to host this event at TomKat and look forward to gathering in this beautiful setting.


However, do not fear! We will not be leaving Bonny Doon. On the first night we will be shuttling attendees to my home in Bonny Doon for a reception and hearty feast.


Please mark your calendars and Save the Date for AgTech 12 on May 14th, 2025! If you'd like to join us for the FoodTech 12 Workshop the following day, May 15th, we have a discounted 2-day ticket option available on either website.Register Now!


Our Workshops are our flagship events, and this year they will be a little bigger as we (carefully) grow our community. Together, we'll explore a broad range of issues through discussion panels, Something on My Mind (SOMM) Sessions and startup presentations, lead by top investors, corporates, entrepreneurs and technologists.


Several things will be different this year. First, in addition to early stage start ups, we hope to bring into the conversation more growth-stage companies and their investors. We want to showcase many of the success stories in the sector and include the investors who are supporting them.


As you may know, most of our programming is now initiated by key members of our community and we are in discussions with quite a few industry leaders about subjects they propose to speak about. But most of those discussions are ongoing so the subject headings are still incomplete, but we share the names below so you know who is likely speaking. We will be updating the program regularly as new sessions are added or filled out. Please see the "Program" section below for more details.


As usual, we will be inviting 8 top startups and growth companies to share their stories at the workshop. We will be announcing the first few companies soon.


If you have suggestions about themes we should cover or startups (both early and late stage) we should consider, please don't hesitate to reach out.


Hope to see you for one or two days in May!



Warm Regards,


Howard Chao

Doon Insights

Program

Below is our draft program, still under construction. 


๏ปฟDISCUSSION PANELS


Rollups and Consolidations of AgTech Companies


Walt Duflock, Western Growers

Jim Schultz, Open Prairie

Lars Dyrud, Earth Optics


**Stay Tuned, More Panels to Come**

KEYNOTE SPEECH


How Does a Mature Industry (such as food) Accept, Shape, and Influence Disruptive Technologies for its Benefit?


Jim Gray, Ingredion

SOMM SESSIONS

๏ปฟ

"Something On My Mind" (SOMM) Sessions are 15 minute mini-panels where prominent folks in the industry present an interesting problem, hypothesis, new technology or trend they'd like to share. Our goal is to catalyze conversations that continue after we part ways. If you have something on your mind you'd like to share, please reach out to us directly for consideration. 


Please see the list of confirmed SOMM Session Speakers below and stay tuned for the release of their session titles/topics coming soon. 

๏ปฟ

Confirmed and Invited SOMM Speakers


Perry Aulie, Perdue Farms

Danny Bernstein, Reservoir

Tom Greene, Corteva

๏ปฟDavid Godfrey-Thomas, Afina International

Michael Lavin, Germin8

Xiaoyi Lu, UC Merced

Ron Meeusen, Cultivian

Rachel Resek, Ki Tua Fund

Brad Rubin, Wells Fargo Bank

Joe Zhou, Bits x Bites



Participant Ticket

Standard Price$900
Register

2-Day Ticket

Standard Price$1,200
Register



๏ปฟLoyalty Program


We deeply appreciate the loyalty of our community (you!). To show our gratitude, we have decided to institute a loyalty program of discounted tickets for returning attendees to our events. 

 

If you have been a paid attendee at any of our events within the past 2 years, you'll receive a discount of 10% on your next event. If you've joined us five or more times at any of our events, we will offer you a discount of 20% on all future events. 


If you qualify for either category above, please reach out to Katie at katie@dooninsights.com so that you receive your special discount code.

 

๏ปฟThanks again -- We look forward to welcoming you back to Bonny Doon very soon!

Logistics

We are recommending that all attendees book their lodging in Half Moon Bay, CA, which is about 20 minutes from TomKat Ranch (Pescadero, CA) and is the closest town to it.


We will provide shuttle transportation to/from the Half Moon Bay hotels listed below, to the venue, each day.


We will also provide shuttle transportation from TomKat Ranch to Bonny Doon for our intimate reception and dinner on May 14th. (Due to Bonny Doon's limited capacity for parking, we especially encourage attendees to utilize the shuttle services that evening.) After dinner, we will shuttle you back to your hotels. 


In essence, if you're flying from out of town, once you get yourself to your hotel, we've got the rest of your transportation covered until you leave, if you so wish! 


Please Note: We will **NOT** be providing shuttle transportation to/from Santa Cruz. (Santa Cruz is a 45 minute drive from the venue).

Again -- we highly suggest you book your stays in Half Moon Bay. 



HOTEL OPTIONS


HALF MOON BAY

(20 - 25 mins. from venue)


Half Moon Bay Lodge​

Aristocrat Hotel, Half Moon Bay


If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to Katie (katie@dooninsights.com) for assistance. 

Sponsors and Host

Photos

About Us

Doon Insights began 11 years ago as a simple concept by Howard Chao: bring together handpicked startups with leading investors and strategics for substantive discussions, and good things will happen.


Please visit dooninsights.comโ€‹​ for more.

Doon Capital is Howard Chao's investment and consulting vehicle.


Please visit dooncapital.comโ€‹​ for more. 

Cancellation Policies

We understand that plans change! The following policy is designed to ensure your satisfaction and understanding of the purchase process on our site.

  • Refunds requested more than 60 days prior to the start of the event are eligible for a 100% refund.
  • Refunds requested more than 15 days prior to the start of the event are eligible for a 50% refund, or you may transfer credit to a future event.
  • Refunds requested fewer than 15 days prior to the start of the event are not eligible for a refund.
  • If you contract COVID prior to the event and cannot attend, we will provide a full refund.


How to request a refund:

For inquiries about refunds, please reach out to Katie at: katie@dooninsights.com