No Roadmap, No Funding: The Regulatory Gap That’s Killing AgTech Deals
By Dr. Jerry Hjelle In today’s competitive agtech environment, groundbreaking science alone is no longer enough to secure capital or accelerate value creation. A robust regulatory strategy has become essential—not only for attracting serious investment, but also for ensuring successful exits. At Hjelle Consulting Group (HCG), we’ve guided numerous companies through the regulatory maze in […]
NSCEB Report: Aligning Client and Public Interests through Science Policy
The final report from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) is now available, and for anyone working in or around biotech regulation, it’s well worth a close read. The report outlines a national strategy to secure U.S. leadership in biotechnology across a range of domains—research, security, manufacturing, and policy. Most relevant to our […]
How Countries Are Reclassifying Microbial Ag Inputs
Microbial products—ranging from biostimulants to biopesticides—are at the center of regulatory evolution in agricultural inputs. As more developers bring living or fermentation-derived organisms to market, agencies worldwide are reevaluating how these inputs are defined, registered, and controlled. In the United States, the EPA has reaffirmed its oversight of microbial pesticides, but recent guidance distinguishes between […]
Gene Editing Gains Global Momentum
After years of policy ambiguity, regulatory frameworks for gene-edited agricultural products are beginning to crystallize—particularly across the Americas and Asia. For AgTech companies developing CRISPR-enabled traits and precision-edited crops, this shift presents both opportunity and urgency. In Japan, the Ministry of Environment continues to refine its review process for gene-edited plants, emphasizing transparency and case-by-case […]
When to Talk to Regulators (And What Not to Say)
Why timing, context, and message matter more than you think For AgTech startups, engaging with regulators can feel intimidating—sometimes even risky. Get it wrong, and you may trigger costly requests or erode trust. Get it right, and you gain clarity, confidence, and valuable feedback that can shape your product’s success. So when should you reach […]
Navigating Regulatory Risk for AgTech Startups
How to de-risk your product, win investor confidence, and move faster Bringing an agricultural innovation to market isn’t just a matter of scientific merit—it’s a matter of regulatory readiness. For startups in the AgTech space, regulatory risk can quietly undermine otherwise game-changing technologies. It can delay approvals, drain capital, and dampen investor confidence. At Hjelle, […]
Brazilian Biotech Breakthrough Under Pressure
Force Majeure Brazilian agricultural company Helix Agroceres wanted to leverage breakthroughs against Fall Army Worm to enter the biotech space, but needed a strategy and execution partner to make its ambitions a reality. And then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. Background The development and commercialization of genetically modified crops are complex processes that require a combination […]
Transforming Pennycress Into a Game-Changing Third Crop
New Pathways CoverCress, Inc. is a pioneering agricultural technology company focused on the commercialization of domesticated pennycress, an crop that provides winter cover while producing both sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and feedstock, delivering profound economic and environmental benefits to conventional agricultural zones. Hjelle Consulting Group (HCG) is a leading agricultural technology (AgTech) regulatory and […]
Accelerating Sugarcane Innovation, Globally
Sweet, Sweet Success The Centro de Tecnologia Canvieira (CTC), a sugarcane consortium in Piracicaba, Brazil, knew it had a potential blockbuster biotech event on its hands but needed help to revamp its regulatory science capabilities and make submissions across the world. Background Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira (CTC) is a global leader in sugarcane research and […]