In the 7th edition of the Simpleza Strategic Forum, a monthly space that brings together professionals and entrepreneurs to discuss strategies and trends in the business world, Federico Mayer, founder of Club Agtech, shared a deep and multifaceted vision of the challenges and opportunities businesses face in an ever-changing world.
His presentation addressed key topics such as digitalization, sustainability, distributed innovation, and the need for adaptation in an increasingly complex global context.
A Change of Era, Not an Era of Change
Mayer began his speech by emphasizing that we are not simply living in an era of change, but rather in a change of era. This phenomenon, he explained, is driven by the emergence of digital language, which has revolutionized the way we organize, process information, and communicate.
“Digital language is not just a tool; it’s a new paradigm that redefines how we live, work, and relate,” he stated.
Drawing a historical parallel, he highlighted that humanity has undergone four major transformative milestones: spoken language, writing, the printing press, and the Industrial Revolution. Today, digital language represents the fourth great leap, with an exponential impact on society.
“We are on an exponential curve where each technological advancement doubles its capacity in increasingly shorter periods,” Mayer explained, referring to Moore’s Law and how it is accelerating innovation in areas like data processing, artificial intelligence, and connectivity.
Agriculture at the Heart of Transformation
Mayer focused much of his talk on the agribusiness sector, an area where Club Agtech has pioneered the promotion of innovation.
“Agriculture is not just about producing commodities; it’s about unleashing the full potential of the value chain,” he stated. In this regard, he highlighted the importance of traceability, carbon footprint, and operational efficiency as key pillars to compete in an increasingly demanding global market.
One of the most notable points of his presentation was the transparency imposed by digital language.
“Today, everything is measurable and traceable. This forces us to be more efficient, but it also opens up opportunities to differentiate ourselves,” he pointed out. As an example, he mentioned the carbon market, which in 2022 moved $865 billion and is projected to grow 16 times in the coming years.
“Agriculture has a huge opportunity to lead in this area, but we must prepare and understand how to participate in this new economy.”
Distributed Innovation and Networking
Another central theme of the talk was distributed innovation and the importance of working in networks. Mayer explained that, in an interconnected world, businesses can no longer operate in isolation.
“The key is to collaborate, to build networks that allow us to access knowledge, talent, and resources quickly and efficiently,” he said.
To illustrate this point, he mentioned the case of Uber, a company that completely transformed the transportation industry through the use of connectivity and real-time information.
In this context, Mayer emphasized that adaptability and the ability to continuously learn are the most valuable skills for today’s leaders.
“Having 30 years of experience in a world that no longer exists doesn’t help. What we need is the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn constantly,” he stated.
The Future: Automation, Biotechnology, and Disruptive Business Models
Mayer also referred to the trends that will define the future of agriculture and other industries. Automation and robotics will, in his view, be key disruptors in the coming years.
“Robots will not only replace operational tasks; they will also be more efficient and precise than humans in many areas,” he explained.
He also mentioned the potential of biotechnology, highlighting that Argentina is already a pioneer in this field with developments such as genetically modified soybeans.
“The future is not for those who wait, but for those who dare to innovate, collaborate, and ride the waves of change. We have the tools; now it’s up to us to use them.”
The Simpleza Strategic Forum: A Space for Reflection and Action
The Simpleza Strategic Forum, held every second Monday of each month, has consolidated itself as a key space for reflection and the exchange of ideas between professionals and entrepreneurs.
Federico Mayer’s participation in this 7th edition made it clear that, in a world of constant transformation, innovation and collaboration are more necessary than ever.
