Roots To Foods Podcast

A new episode of the RootsToFoods Podcast part of the newly launched Capital Series explores “Capital Deployment in Practice: What Gets Funded and Why,” featuring Nathaniel Heller, Executive Vice President at Geneva Global and Global Impact Ventures, in conversation with host Ovidiu Bujorean, CEO of OviBees Ventures.
The discussion examines how capital is actually deployed in practice — including the conditions that enable high-impact opportunities to attract funding, how investors balance impact and risk, and the institutional and relational dynamics that shape capital allocation decisions.
The episode offers practical insights for foundations, family offices, and institutional investors, as well as advisors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders, seeking to better understand how funding decisions are made and how to deploy and position capital and opportunities more effectively. Each episode is accompanied by a Capital Insight Brief, providing a concise, practitioner-grade synthesis of key takeaways.

Welcome to Roots to Foods, where we explore innovative solutions at the intersection of food, business, and social impact. In this special episode, Building Prosperity through Entrepreneurship and Partnerships, we sit down with two visionary leaders driving change in global food systems: Sarah Farley, Vice President at the Rockefeller Foundation, and CD Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation & Global Head of Social Impact at PepsiCo Inc.
Join us as we discuss how strategic collaborations, innovative funding models, and entrepreneurship can create sustainable prosperity—boosting livelihoods, strengthening food security, and fostering inclusive economic growth. Tune in for insights on how partnerships are shaping the future of food and development in Africa.

Welcome to RootsToFoods, the podcast exploring food systems, entrepreneurship, technology, and climate adaptation. I'm your host, Ovidiu Bujorean, Sr. Technical Director at AV Ventures, the impact investing arm of ACDI VOCA.
Our oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface, yet their full economic potential remains largely untapped. From sustainable aquaculture to innovative financing and transformative partnerships, the blue economy offers opportunities to drive economic growth, combat climate change, and create livelihoods—all while protecting marine ecosystems.
In this episode, we’ll unpack the practical steps needed to unlock these opportunities. We’ll look at challenges, innovative solutions, and real-world success stories that can inspire action across industries and communities. Let’s set sail on this fascinating conversation!

In this special World Food Day episode of the Roots to Food podcast, we explore critical issues surrounding global food security and sustainable agriculture. Featuring expert guests, Ambassador Mark Green, President and CEO, The Wilson Center and Katherine (Katie) Meighan, Chief Legal and Governance Officer; Associate Vice-President External Relations Department Ai, IFAD - United Nations.
The episode dives into how we can address food insecurity, climate change, and economic challenges through innovative approaches in the agricultural sector.
The conversation touches on how to close the growing food gap in developing countries, emphasizing the need for better access to nutritious food. The guests also discuss the impact of climate change on food systems and share practical, climate-smart solutions that help farmers adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
Be sure to share and join the conversation using #RootstoFoodPodcast!

Welcome to another episode of the Root to Foods podcast!. The session, titled “Scaling Agribusiness Ventures: Opportunities and Challenges in Taking African Agriculture to the Next Level,” explored the vast potential and significant hurdles involved in expanding African agribusiness. As Africa looks to transform its agricultural sector, scaling up operations and integrating advanced technologies are critical. The session, featuring a panel of experts including Dr. Mima Nedelcovych, Chairman of AfricaGlobal Schaffer, Hon. Mr. Matthew Miller, Director of Agribusiness Investments at U.S. DFC, Eren K., Chief Investment Officer at the African Development Bank Group, Mrs. Colleen Zamba, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Republic of Malawi. Dele Odufuye, Vice President and Country Director at Cavista Holdings, and Mr. Ovidiu Bujorean, Sr. Director of Investments, Innovative Finance at ACDI/AV-Ventures.

Welcome to another episode of the Root to Foods podcast!. In this episode, we’ll delve into "From Food Insecurity to Thriving Agribusinesses – The Case for a U.S.-Africa Strategic Agribusiness Partnership." As we confront the pressing challenges of food insecurity and agricultural instability, it becomes increasingly clear that forging strategic partnerships between the U.S. and Africa could be a game-changer. We examined how these collaborations can not only address the immediate needs of food security but also build resilient agribusinesses that drive sustainable growth.
Join us as we uncovered the potential for transformative change, discuss successful case studies, and envision a future where strategic partnerships pave the way for thriving agribusinesses and food security across the globe.

Welcome to another episode of the RootsToFoods podcast. 
In this episode, we delve into the technologies, tools, and services designed specifically to empower women farmers and entrepreneurs. Our discussion will highlight how these innovations improve women’s access to crucial resources like information, finance, market opportunities, and enhance their roles in decision-making processes. From mobile apps that democratize market data to platforms that facilitate micro-loans, we're unveiling the women who are making a real difference.
We’re also showcasing several case studies of successful women-focused agritech projects. These stories not only illustrate the positive impacts on women's empowerment but also demonstrate how these innovations support climate-smart agriculture practices, ensuring sustainability and resilience in farming communities.

Welcome to Roots to Foods. In today’s episode, "Scaling Up AgriTech Ventures Across The Africa Continent, we have an extraordinary guest today: ChatGPT from OpenAI. With its vast knowledge and insightful analysis, ChatGPT will help us understand the current landscape of AgriTech ventures in Africa, the opportunities for scaling up, and the challenges that lie ahead.
Join us as we uncover the innovative solutions and inspiring stories at the intersection of agriculture and technology on the African continent.
 
 
 
 
 

Join us on our this episode as we dive deep into the heart of agricultural innovation with Ayodeji Arikawe, the visionary CEO of Thrive Agric. Together, we explored the challenges, triumphs, and groundbreaking strategies behind scaling up AgTech ventures across the African continent. Discover how technology and agriculture converge to create sustainable solutions for food security, economic growth, and how Thrive Agric is leading the charge. Don't miss this enlightening conversation on the RootsToFoods Podcast. Tune in to gain valuable insights into transforming challenges into opportunities in the AgTech landscape.

In this enlightening episode of Rootstofoods, we delve into the dynamic world of scaling ventures within Africa and extend our vision to global markets. Our host Ovidiu Bujorean is joined by a panel of distinguished entrepreneurs and investors who have successfully navigated the complex terrain of expanding businesses from local startups to international powerhouses. Together, they unpack the unique challenges and opportunities faced by ventures in Africa aiming for global reach. Listen as they share invaluable insights on leveraging local strengths, navigating regulatory environments, and harnessing technology for cross-border expansion.
 
Tune in to discover the strategies that have propelled African ventures onto the world stage and how they're shaping the future of global business.