“Scaling technology to build an impact”: Albrecht Wolfmeyer on why people-first innovation matters

Technology can reshape how we feed the world, but according to Albrecht Wolfmeyer, Venture Partner at Grey Silo Ventures, it’s the people behind the technology who make all the difference. With experience spanning impact investment and startup mentorship, Albrecht offers a dual focus on AI-driven agriculture and sustainability-forward food innovations such as precision fermentation and biomass utilization.

In this conversation, Albrecht Wolfmeyer reveals how Grey Silo Ventures merges scientific rigor with a “people-first” philosophy, placing equal emphasis on founding teams’ boldness, resilience, and ingenuity alongside technical feasibility.

He further expands on how to achieve scalable impact by leveraging corporate networks, measurable ESG frameworks, and cutting-edge technology to foster a more sustainable agri-food ecosystem. Read on to discover how Albrecht and Grey Silo Ventures transform innovative ideas into practical solutions—and why genuine transformation always hinges on the people behind them.

• Innovation in food and ag-tech is evolving rapidly: which emerging trends or technologies do you believe will have the greatest impact on building a more sustainable food system?

Technology is key to making our food systems more sustainable. In agriculture, AI-driven plant breeding, crop monitoring, or carbon farming are revolutionizing efficiency, while robotics are improving precision and reducing waste. On the food front, scaling innovations like biomass utilization and precision fermentation will be critical to bringing competitive, sustainable products to market.

• Grey Silo Ventures was founded on a “people-first” vision. How do you see that principle guiding decision-making as you navigate the increasing complexity of the food-tech market?

The founders and core people are at the heart of every investment we make. While strong technology, economics, and strategy are essential, the real differentiator is the team. We back founders who demonstrate boldness, agility, resilience, and creativity – qualities that drive scalable, investable businesses in a challenging and evolving industry.

• With sustainability and resilience now more critical than ever, what criteria do you use to evaluate startups for both their business potential and their positive social or environmental impact?

In ag and food-tech, sustainability must be measurable and scalable. At Grey Silo Ventures, we prioritize tangible impact, innovation, and team resilience. Many startups claim ESG alignment, but true viability comes from their ability to scale solutions that create real, lasting change.

• Three years in, what do you envision for the future of Grey Silo Ventures? Which milestones are you aiming for, and what do you hope to achieve in the next phase of this journey?

Grey Silo Ventures connects top talent in ag and food-tech with corporate, startup, and investment networks in agriculture, food, and beyond. As the corporate venture arm of Cereal Docks, Grey Silo bridges innovative startups with established industry players. Looking ahead, our focus is on expanding into new markets, discovering breakthrough technologies, and building scalable business models that drive real impact.