This week, Bill Gates threw the cat amongst the pigeons...

While climate change is serious, it will "not lead to humanity’s demise," said Gates; tackling poverty and disease are now higher on his agenda, according to a new essay.

"Sometimes the world acts as if any effort to fight climate change is as worthwhile as any other. As a result, less-effective projects are diverting money and attention from efforts that will have more impact on the human condition."

Elsewhere, Jenn Marston had a candid conversation with Carbon Robotics founder Paul Mikesell, and Elaine Watson caught up with Nutriearth CEO Jeremy Burks to explore an intriguing new source of vitamin D3.

Finally, will the ubiquitous Cavendish banana go the same way as the Gros Michel? Fresh Del Monte sounded the alarm on deadly fungal disease TR4, which has just reached Ecuador, one of the world's largest exporters of bananas.

Have a great week! Louisa, Jenn, and Elaine...

And a big thanks to this week's sponsor:

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Agtonomy bags $18m to bring more AI to ‘the next frontier of automation’: agricultural equipment

In addition to being a software developer that partners with commercial equipment manufacturers, Agtonomy is also bringing what it calls “physical AI” to agriculture. Jennifer Marston

The EVERY Co and Onego Bio eyed $400m merger before IP talks went south, court docs reveal

According to The EVERY Co, the two parties had been in discussions about licensing deals or a merger for months, “during which Onego repeatedly threatened to burden EVERY with expensive litigation." Elaine Watson

Fresh Del Monte CEO sounds alarm as deadly fusarium wilt hits Ecuador’s banana crop: ‘It’s a losing battle’

“There will come a time that people realize that there are not enough bananas, and prices will shoot up,” says Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh. Elaine Watson

Fruitist rides healthy snacking wave with $150m raise: GLP-1 consumers buy more berries

Fruitist is “seeing demand across the world for more premium blueberries,” says CEO Steve Magami. Elaine Watson

Nutriearth scales light-activated vitamin D3 from an intriguing new source

While the economics of raising mealworms for bulk protein are challenging, they are well-suited to producing a more lucrative product: vitamin D3, says Nutriearth. Elaine Watson

MyForest Foods’ mycelium bacon sizzles as alt meat market cools

While many alt meat brands are “seeing slower velocity and reduced shelf space,” MyForest Foods “continues to grow, helping keep the category afloat with products that deliver real satisfaction in flavor and texture,” claims cofounder Eben Bayer. Elaine Watson

Investors call for more plant-based proteins from food manufacturers and retailers: FAIRR

Food companies must address risks in the meat industry related to both changing consumer preference trends and supply chain vulnerabilities. Jennifer Marston

The Week in AgriFoodTech: Fork & Good acquires Orbillion Bio, $100m regen ag fund, Beyond Meat in court

Plus: Inari appoints Lisa Nunez Safarian as its new CEO. Jennifer Marston

How do Walmart, PepsiCo, and other CPGs fortify their supply chains with AI?

The traditional playbook for sourcing and supply chain is no longer relevant for CPGs and food retailers. With climate, geopolitical tensions, and logistical hurdles upending "business as usual," these companies must reimagine their strategies to survive, says Cropin CEO Krishna Kumar. Read more here.

Carbon Robotics founder Paul Mikesell on agtech: ‘Be careful how you talk about it’

Will ag automation and robotics ever reach smaller farms? Will specialty crops ever see the rise of harvesting robots? And most important, how should agtech startups approach VCs now that the cheap money is gone and investment is down? Jennifer Marston

PeakBridge’s Nadav Berger on people, partnerships, and portfolio discipline: ‘At the end of the day, we’re in the business of HR’

Key areas of focus for Peakbridge are the intersection of health & nutrition, and the usage of AI & Gen AI in the value chain process in food. Elaine Watson

There’s no elephant in the alt protein room, says GFI CEO Nigel Sizer, but change takes time and money

While the food system won't change overnight, says Nigel Sizer, "What gives me the most hope is how quickly the science is moving." Elaine Watson

🎥 How does front end innovation work at Givaudan? In conversation with Alexandre Bastos

"From the beginning, we said there are people already looking at startups, so Givaudan should partner with them," says Alexandre Bastos. Elaine Watson

How PepsiCo, Walmart and other agrifood companies fortify their supply chains with AI

The traditional sourcing and supply playbook that once defined CPG and food retail is no longer relevant, says agtech veteran Cropin. Sponsored post

Guest article: COP30 is our chance to achieve resilient global food security—by empowering smallholders

To meet global climate and developmental goals, we must put smallholder farmers at the center of climate action. By guest contributor Gabriel Ferrero

Where’s the progress in bioherbicide development? Industry players weigh in

Growth in bioherbicides lags behind other areas in the ag biologicals space such as biopesticides and biofertilizers. Why? Jennifer Marston

Farm robotics in the weeds as funding declines 36% from Q2 to Q3

Despite VC funding declines, growing consensus is that robotics and automation are "integral to modern agriculture." Jennifer Marston

Po Bronson on surviving the agrifoodtech venture downturn, ‘non-rigorous thinking,’ and ‘weapons of mass dilution’

'I tell every one of my startups, get out of VC world as fast as you can. It's the most expensive capital in the world,' says IndieBio SF's managing director. Elaine Watson