Cultivation Capital

As Thad Simons embarks on his well-earned retirement from the Yield Lab Institute, we want to take a moment to celebrate his visionary leadership and the lasting impact he made through YLI.     As the founder and longtime Board Chairman, Thad built an organization dedicated to supporting #innovators, #entrepreneurs, and #investors —driving meaningful progress and sustainable growth in the #AgTech industry.     Kyle Welborn, co-founder and general partner at Cultivation Capital, reflects on Thad’s influence:     "Thad's tremendous career in #agriculture gives him a unique perspective on the industry. Early on, he recognized the global nature of the business and the need for #innovation. He founded The Yield Lab, followed by the non-profit Yield Lab Institute, and grew it into one of the most active AgTech investors worldwide. His idea has supported hundreds of AgTech startups across the globe."   After a long and impactful career at Monsanto and Novus, and from St. Louis to international markets, Thad’s contributions have shaped the AgTech #ecosystem in profound ways. We are incredibly grateful for his #leadership, vision, and dedication. The Yield Lab Institute The Yield Lab The Yield Lab LATAM The Yield Lab Asia Pacific

We're proud to share that Matic has been selected for two 2025 Comparably Awards in the "Best Company Outlook" and "Best Company for Women" categories 🏆 Comparably uses real employee feedback on workplace culture and leadership to select winners. We're thrilled to be named to the top 50 small and medium sized businesses across the US in these groups. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible! Interested in a career with Matic? Check out the link in comments for our open positions ⬇️ 

In 1994, I sat in a room with a number of Fannie Mae colleagues white-boarding what would become Desktop Underwriter. But the first time I showed it to an underwriter, she asked me a question that changed my life: "How do I get data into this? I do 5,000 underwritings a day. You want me to key in 5,000 loans every day?" In that moment, I realized something fundamental: Technology only works when it solves real problems for real people. Fast forward to 2025. The mortgage industry still struggles with the same challenge—getting accurate borrower data efficiently. Verification of income, employment, and assets has become one of the most expensive parts of the mortgage process—averaging $280 per application. That's why yesterday's announcement is so personal to me. When FinLocker covers verification costs, we're not just saving money. We're solving the same problem I've been working on for nearly three decades: Making mortgages faster, more accurate, and more accessible. But this time, the benefits flow directly to both lenders AND borrowers. The most powerful innovations don't just improve existing processes—they fundamentally rethink them. That's what we're doing at FinLocker. Because when borrowers can securely share their financial data in minutes rather than days, everyone wins: • Lenders get better data • Borrowers get better service • The industry gets better outcomes What mortgage process do you think needs reimagining next?

Are you implementing, deploying, or managing AI systems within your organization? Check out this executive discussion where Monitaur CEO and co-founder Anthony Habayeb joins Miguel Edwards of 5M Consulting to explore "What insurers need to know about AI governance." At Monitaur, we've consistently observed that effective AI governance serves as a strategic business enabler rather than a regulatory burden—delivering 2-3x greater return on AI investments for organizations with mature governance frameworks. Key insights from the conversation include: ⚪ Structured governance establishes clear mechanisms for project prioritization, organizational alignment, and performance measurement ⚪ A comprehensive governance approach is essential regardless of whether AI systems are developed internally or acquired from vendors ⚪ Early implementation of governance policies and visibility mechanisms creates a foundation for sustainable AI growth As Anthony notes, "Insurance is an industry built on models," making it an ideal industry for others to follow in effective governance implementation. Does your organization recognize AI governance as an enabler yet? Discover how governance can transform your AI strategy from a compliance requirement into a competitive advantage here: https://hubs.li/Q03bgWTS0