BUILDING AGRI-TECH WORKHORSES
Commercial capability. Customers. Capital.
Recode Ventures is Michael Macolino's independent Venture Advisory Practice for AgriTech innovation.
Partnering with a curated group of dedicated, forward-thinking AgriTech companies at critical scaling points, delivering the commercial capability, customers, and capital that turn validated technology into market-leading businesses.
This selective approach enables deep collaboration, working alongside founders to build commercially disciplined businesses with sustainable unit economics, validated market traction, and capital structures aligned to agricultural realities.
WHAT WE BUILD TOGETHER
RUNWAY
VENTURE BUILDING
The Challenge:
You've validated the tech. Now you need customers, a commercial model that scales, and an operating rhythm to build your team and compound growth.
What We'll Execute Together:
GTM strategy and commercial model
Customer segmentation and ICP targeting
Pricing, positioning, and channel development
Connected objectives and cadence framework
The Outcome:
The commercial engine to win markets, the operational cadence to scale efficiently, and the product roadmap to drive competitive advantage.
REACH
MARKET ENTRY
The Challenge:
New markets hide complexity. Unknown demand patterns, unfamiliar channels, strategic relationships you need to build, and the risk of expensive missteps without local intelligence and networks.
What We'll Execute Together:
Market intelligence to identify demand patterns, buyer and eco-system dynamics
Partner identification and network connections
Pilot design and commercial development
Government and industry engagement to build market presence and credibility
The Outcome:
Informed and validated market entry strategy, network-accelerated partnerships, and embedded industry credibility that opens commercial pathways.
RAISE
INVESTMENT ADVISORY
The Challenge:
You've proven the technology and built early traction, but investors demand commercial fundamentals. Without disciplined strategy, companies accept dilutive terms or run out of runway chasing the wrong capital.
What We'll Execute Together:
Capital strategy and competitive deal structure
Investment narrative and materials that attract strategic capital and accelerate decisions
Strategic investor targeting, leveraging trusted networks to build long-term capital partnerships
The Outcome:
Disciplined raise process, investor-grade materials, qualified investor pipeline, and strategic capital closed on terms with partners who accelerate your business
The Workhorse thesis
AgriTech companies don’t die of starvation.
They die of indigestion.
Agriculture cannot absorb capital at venture speed.
Biology, weather and thin farm margins set the pace.AgriTech companies need to be default alive.
The business model has to work without the next investment round.Raise only to fund growth, never to fund survival.
A Workhorse earns the next season and grows with the market.
A Unicorn buys speed before the fundamentals catch up.
Most founders pick a growth path from ambition.
I built The Workhorse Diagnostic to give founders a benchmark on the alignment between ambition and their commercial fundamentals.
ORGANISATIONS MICHAEL HAS WORKED WITH
WHAT FOUNDERS ARE SAYING
Working with Michael Macolino has been a huge asset in my journey as a founder. His consistency, attentiveness and ability to adapt to exactly what I need in the moment is rare.
Importantly, he genuinely understands the realities and pressures of startup life, making him someone I can trust completely and be candid with.
Simon Mildren, Hive Keepers
To any agtech founder reading this,
I couldn't recommend Michael more.
He's been one of my key advisors for a while and never fails to impress me with his insights, knowledge of industry and depth of sector connections..
Edward Barraclough, Drone-hand
Michael was great to work with very valuable guidance.
Through his thoughtful questions, deep understanding of the agrifood innovation ecosystem, and willingness to challenge assumptions, he helped us clarify our options and identify pathways forward
Fran Doerflinger, PhD - Athena IR Tech
