Awarepreneurs #344 Rethinking Agriculture as a Climate Solution
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1. Innovating Agriculture: Saving Bees with Carlos Pereyo's Varroa Mite Solution 2. From Mold Killers to Bee Saviors: Carlos Pereyo's Agricultural Journey 3. Balancing Entrepreneurship and Environmental Impact: Carlos Pereyo on Awarepreneurs 4. Saving Honeybees: Carlos Pereyo's Mission against Varroa Mites and Unsustainable Practices 5. Carlos Pereyo’s Revolutionary Solution for Varroa Mites and Sustainable Agriculture 6. Bee Conservation and Agricultural Innovation with Carlos Pereyo on Awarepreneurs 7. Tackling Varroa Mites: Carlos Pereyo's Beekeeping Breakthrough with Teravera 8. Carlos Pereyo on Bee Health, Varroa Mites, and Sustainable Farming Practices 9. Solutions for Bees and Agriculture: Carlos Pereyo’s Insights on Awarepreneurs 10. Fighting Varroa Mites for a Sustainable Future: Carlos Pereyo's Story

💬 Keywords
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Varroa mites, honeybee health, sustainable agriculture, climate change, pesticide alternatives, beekeeping challenges, organic farming, colony collapse, Paul Zelizer, social entrepreneurship, environmental impact, food production, Teravera, Dr. Sammy Ramsey, climate solution, synthetic pesticides, UC Davis collaboration, entrepreneurial perseverance, New Mexico water scarcity, agricultural technology, Carlos Pereyo, commercial agriculture, silicon valley entrepreneurship, cannabis cultivation, non-EPA regulated products, EPA approval, pollinator-friendly solutions, greenhouse gas emissions, high-value crops, consumer advocacy, experimental beekeeping methods.

💡 Speaker bios
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Carlos Pereyo, a native of New Mexico, embarked on his educational journey in his home state before earning an engineering degree from the University of New Mexico (UNM). Seeking further advancement, he attended business school at Stanford in Silicon Valley, a decision that propelled his early career in the technology sector. At Intel, he transitioned from marketing to manufacturing, aligning his professional path with his technological interests. Yet, the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley deeply influenced Carlos, sparking his passion for starting his own ventures. After gaining valuable experience in the semiconductor industry, he returned to New Mexico to pursue entrepreneurship. In the mid-2000s, with the backing of investors, Carlos acquired Mioxx, a company specializing in water treatment solutions for the U.S. military, thus combining his business acumen with his desire to contribute to his home state.

ℹ️ Introduction
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Welcome to another episode of Awarepreneurs, the podcast where we dive into social entrepreneurship, increasing positive impact, profitability, and improving quality of life. I'm your host, Paul Zelizer, and today, we have an inspiring conversation with Carlos Pereyo, CEO of Teravera. Carlos shares his fascinating journey from a technology sector career to becoming an innovative entrepreneur focused on sustainable agriculture. We'll explore how an initial attempt to combat molds and mildews led to a groundbreaking discovery for dealing with varroa mites, a major threat to bee colonies. Carlos's work with UC Davis and his collaboration with bee experts highlight the significance of bees in our ecosystem and the critical threats they face. Together, we'll unpack how Teravera's cutting-edge technology, originally designed for water treatment, evolved into a game-changer for the agricultural industry. Carlos also shares valuable insights on the balancing act of entrepreneurship, the importance of an aligned and motivated team, and the potential for niche industries to drive broader environmental innovations. This episode offers a compelling look at how sustainable practices in agriculture can contribute to a healthier planet and more resilient food systems. Stay tuned as we delve into the intersection of technology, agriculture, and environmental stewardship with Carlos Pereyo on today's episode of Awarepreneurs. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue bringing you impactful stories like this one.

❇️ Key topics and bullets
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### Introduction - **Host**: Paul Zelizer - **Show**: Awarepreneurs podcast - **Focus**: Social entrepreneurship, positive impact, profitability, and quality of life - **Request**: Encouraged listeners to subscribe and review the podcast ### Guest Introduction - **Guest**: Carlos Pereyo - **Topic**: Rethinking agriculture as a climate solution - **Role**: CEO of Terravera - **Company Focus**: Helping farmers grow crops without synthetic pesticides - **Goals**: Promoting environmentally friendly solutions and enhancing profitability - **Specific Interest**: Saving honeybees ### Carlos Pereyo's Background - **Origin**: New Mexico native - **Education**: Engineering degree from UNM, business school at Stanford - **Career**: Transitioned from technology sector to entrepreneurship - **Ventures**: Multiple ventures in Silicon Valley, mainly in semiconductors ### Entrepreneurial Journey - **Early Venture**: Mioxx, focused on water treatment for the US military - **Legal Cannabis**: Worked in the cannabis industry before founding Terravera - **Founding Terravera**: Concept originated around 2017-2018 ### Early Days of Terravera - **Genesis**: Addressing plant diseases sustainably in high-density agricultural settings - **Technology**: Adapted from water treatment solutions for the US Department of Defense - **Development**: Evolved to focus on agriculture ### New Mexico Context - **Water Scarcity**: Least surface water in the US - **High Proportion of PhDs**: Due to institutions like Sandia National Labs, Los Alamos National Labs, and NASA - **Innovative Environment**: Emphasis on commercializing technology ### Challenges and Insights - **Funding a Startup**: Importance and challenges of finding the right funding - **Entrepreneurship Lessons**: Learning what works and does not in startups ### Entrepreneurship & Regulation - **Quick Iteration**: Importance in entrepreneurship - **High Costs and Regulation**: Challenges in cannabis cultivation ### Technology Transition - **Development**: Partnered with Justin Sands - **Licensing**: Successfully licensed the technology and co-founded a new company ### Team Formation & Challenges - **Diverse Team**: Agricultural and financial expertise - **COVID-19 Impact**: Initial team meetings disrupted ### Funding & Customer Acquisition - **Bootstrapping**: Initially funded by Carlos himself - **Customer Acquisition**: Critical for generating revenue and validating technology ### Assembling a Quality Team - **Ambitious Vision**: Attracting talented team members - **Long-term Professional Relationships**: Beneficial for ventures ### Selective Investment - **Advice**: Be selective about accepting investments - **Engagement with Smaller Investors**: Valued for their inputs ### Social Impact Community - **Reputation**: High regard in the investment community, especially in New Mexico ### Transparency in Agriculture - **Consumer Education**: Importance of educating consumers on organic produce - **Market Changes**: Informed consumers driving positive changes ### Company Information - **Website and Direct Contact**: Information about Terravera available online - **Show Notes and Contact**: Further information in show notes ### Appreciation and Engagement - **Mutual Appreciation**: Paul and Carlos express appreciation for each other's work - **Encouragement**: Continued engagement in impactful work ### Agricultural and Environmental Focus - **Threats to Bees**: Climate change, pesticides, and varroa mites - **Importance of Bees**: Essential for pollination and food production ### Varroa Mites Solution - **Initial Discovery**: Effective against mites - **Collaboration with UC Davis**: Efficacy without harming bees - **Dr. Sammy Ramsey**: Emphasized importance in the bee industry ### Broader Environmental Challenges - **Unsustainable Farming Practices**: Negative impacts on environment and food supply - **Consumer Demand vs. Supply**: Discrepancy in organic produce ### High-Value Crops Strategy - **Focus on High-Value Opportunities**: Initial strategy for scalability - **Cannabis Industry Comparison**: Likened to Tesla’s initial strategy with sports cars ### Incremental Growth - **Revenue from Customers**: Best form of funding - **Aligned Investors**: Importance of selecting value-driven investors ### Talent Attraction and Retention - **Driven Professionals**: Attracted to impactful climate startups - **Job Satisfaction**: Emotional paycheck alongside financial one - **High Retention**: Zero undesired turnover at Terravera ### Technology and Environmental Benefits - **Technology Application**: Efficacy in controlling mites - **Environmental Benefits**: Reduced supply chain issues and positive environmental impact ### Organic Farming Challenges - **Economic Issues**: High costs and consumer price sensitivity - **Environmental Impact**: Traditional agriculture isn’t environmentally sustainable ### Agriculture’s Role in Climate Change - **Emission Contributions**: Similar to commercial airlines - **Mitigation Practices**: Importance of good ecosystems ### Documentary Recommendation - **"The Ground Beneath Us"**: Highlights environmental benefits of healthy ecosystems ### Future Plans and EPA Approval - **Short-term Goals**: Introduce products to the beekeeping market - **EPA Approval**: Anticipated submission and potential approval ### Economic Impact on Beekeeping - **Financial Losses**: Severe impacts on beekeepers’ livelihoods ### Revenue and Market Potential - **Non-EPA Regulated Products**: Initial revenue source - **Expansion Plans**: Include crops like wine grapes ### Environmental and Economic Benefits - **Environmentally Safe Solutions**: Degradation into beneficial substances - **Comparison to Conventional Methods**: Reduced environmental impact

📚 Timestamped overview
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00:00 New Mexico native, tech career, entrepreneurship, Mioxx purchase.

04:20 Started in 2017, addressing cannabis plant diseases.

07:31 Entrepreneurship allows quick iteration, especially under regulation.

10:45 Team gathered before COVID restrictions began impacting.

13:23 Gravitate towards ambitious goals with trusted collaborators.

19:33 Successful companies attract and retain employees effortlessly.

21:27 Teravera produces on-demand oxidants, avoiding supply issues.

24:47 Discovered mite solution that protects bees effectively.

29:03 Passionate gardener, sustainable farming, catastrophic beekeeping challenges

31:35 Organic farming isn't economically sustainable due to costs.

35:48 Partnering with EPA, beekeepers; expect revenue growth.

38:14 Climate change threatens wine grapes; pest control vital.

41:57 Cannabis innovation leads to advancements in agriculture.

45:26 Best funding source: revenue from customers, opportunity-focused.

50:16 Contact carlos@terravera.com for transparent data and feedback.

51:31 Listeners can suggest topics via contact page.

🎞️ Clipfinder: Quotes, Hooks, & Timestamps
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Carlos Pereyo 00:02:59 00:03:16

From Silicon Valley to New Mexico Entrepreneurship: "I had the brilliant idea to get a group of investors to back me and a partner and I told them would find a company to buy, would relocate it to New Mexico and unbeknownst to them and me I found a company in New Mexico to purchase and that company was Mioxx and Mioxx was doing water treatment for the US military."

Carlos Pereyo 00:04:56 00:05:12

Innovations in Cannabis Cultivation: "One of the issues that we kept running into is plant disease. We would find that we would have a very difficult time growing these plants in high density and doing it economically and the plants were getting diseases just like strawberries will or grapes will or apples will."

Carlos Pereyo 00:07:53 00:08:17

Regulation in the Cannabis Industry: "In the cannabis industry even more than food people might be surprised very high level of regulation both in what is on the product when it is delivered to the customer making sure it's free of molds and other pathogens or toxins that could harm people but also what's put onto it because we aspirate or light cannabis that has a different set of health conditions and issues much like tobacco."

Carlos Pereyo 00:09:55 00:10:11

Title: The Reluctance to Enter the Cannabis Market

Quote: "They licensed technology and what they didn't know what happened is that Justin Sanchez, their CTO would join me in starting the company and quite frankly the story there is really relevant because he said, look Carlos, I have no interest in cannabis and helping cannabis growers."

Carlos Pereyo 00:13:38 00:13:46

The Importance of Building Relationships and Creating an Ambitious Game Plan: "And when you find people who you resonate with, who share your value set, who you believe in, who you trust, those are the folks you really want to work with."

Carlos Pereyo 00:21:39 00:21:53

Pandemic Innovations in Chemistry: "In the pandemic, we were giving and selling chemistry to all kinds of folks, including police departments and National Guard and because the nature of what we do is we can generate those oxidants on demand, we were not caught in the same supply chain issues."

Carlos Pereyo 00:25:23 00:25:28

Breakthrough in Beekeeping: "We can kill mites very effectively and not harm bees even in their development or larval stage."

Carlos Pereyo 00:32:07 00:32:16

"The Environmental Cost of Modern Farming": "What I think some of your listeners might be surprised at is the way in which we do farming today is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gases."

Carlos Pereyo 00:42:55 00:43:05

The Ripple Effect of Cannabis Legalization: "I think what's going to happen with cannabis is you and I are gonna have access to cheaper, better, more nutritious tomatoes and strawberries because the cannabis industry became legal."

Carlos Pereyo 00:45:52 00:46:12

Investing Locally: "And so this cycle instead of just going to Silicon Valley and getting, you know, $5,000,000 $10,000,000 checks, we spent a lot of time I spent a lot of my time talking with people, not just in New Mexico, but all over that really resonated with what we were trying to do that aligned with what we're trying to do, that I valued them and and they valued us and what we're and so we have some really neat folks."

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Hey, it's Paul here from Awarepreneurs! We just wrapped an eye-opening session with Carlos Pereyo, CEO of Teravera. He shared how their breakthrough technology eliminates harmful varroa mites, saving bee colonies and promoting sustainable agriculture. Carlos highlighted the dire threats bees face from climate change, pesticides, and mites, and how crucial bees are for our food supply. We also dove into the importance of informed consumer choices and entrepreneurial perseverance. Want to learn more? Tune in to Awarepreneurs for the full episode! Let's make a positive impact together!

👩‍💻 LinkedIn post
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🌍✨ Excited to share our latest episode of the Awarepreneurs podcast, where we dive deep into groundbreaking solutions for sustainable agriculture with our guest, Carlos Pereyo, CEO of Teravera. Carlos takes us through an inspiring journey of discovery, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of making our planet a better place. 🔑 **Key Takeaways:** 1. **Innovative Solutions for Bee Health**: Carlos and his team at Teravera have developed a groundbreaking technology that effectively kills harmful varroa mites without harming bees, a key advancement in combating one of the major threats to bee populations. 2. **Aligned, Value-Driven Investment**: Carlos emphasizes the importance of finding investors who align with a company's mission, showcasing how this approach can significantly impact a startup's success and morale. 3. **Creating Meaningful Work**: Discover how Teravera has managed to maintain zero undesired employee turnover for over four years by fostering a work environment where employees find joy, value, and validation in their work. Tune in to this episode to explore how Teravera is turning innovative ideas into impactful solutions, revolutionizing the agricultural industry while promoting environmental sustainability and economic viability. ➡️ Listen to the full episode [insert podcast link] and subscribe to Awarepreneurs for more stories at the intersection of social entrepreneurship and positive impact. #Sustainability #Agriculture #Beekeeping #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #SocialImpact #Awarepreneurs #Podcast

🗞️ Newsletter
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Subject: Saving Honeybees & Rethinking Agriculture: Dive into the Latest Awarepreneurs Episode! Dear Awarepreneurs Community, We are excited to share the latest episode of the Awarepreneurs podcast, featuring an inspiring conversation between our host Paul Zelizer and innovative entrepreneur Carlos Pereyo, the CEO of Teravera. This episode is packed with insights that every social entrepreneur, sustainable agriculture advocate, and environmental enthusiast will appreciate. ### Featured Episode: "Awarepreneurs Template 2" **Guest:** Carlos Pereyo **Topic:** Rethinking Agriculture as a Climate Solution **Key Highlights:** 1. **From Mold Killer to Bee Saver:** - Carlos Pereyo’s entrepreneurial journey started with a solution for molds and mildew but pivoted to saving honeybee colonies from devastating varroa mites. - Field tests in collaboration with UC Davis proved their product's efficacy in killing varroa mites without harming bees. 2. **The Importance of Bees:** - Bees are crucial for pollination and food production, making it essential to address threats like climate change, pesticides, and varroa mites. - Carlos underscores the unsustainable nature of current farming practices and the dire need to bridge the gap between organic produce demand and supply. 3. **Entrepreneurial Insights:** - Carlos’ transition from technology and semiconductor industries to sustainable agriculture shows the strength of adaptability and perseverance. - Key lessons include the value of forming a quality team, attracting value-driven investors, and focusing on high-value opportunities to eventually scale and diversify. 4. **Challenges and Innovations:** - The episode delves into the challenges of organic farming, economic issues, and the broader implications for climate change. - Teravera’s technology offers promising solutions by reducing the use of synthetic pesticides and providing safe, sustainable pest control options that benefit the environment. 5. **Upcoming Ventures:** - Teravera is gearing up to introduce their products to the beekeeping market soon and is also looking at expanding into other high-value crops like wine grapes. ### Listen Now! To dive deeper into this thought-provoking conversation, tune in now! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast—it helps us bring more impactful content to you. **[Listen to the Episode](#)** ### Be Part of the Community: We value your feedback and topic suggestions for future episodes. Please visit our website to share your ideas, and join the discussion on our social media platforms. **[Visit Our Website](#)** **[Follow Us on LinkedIn](#) | [Facebook](#) | [Twitter](#)** ### Stay Connected: - **Learn more about Carlos Pereyo and Teravera:** Visit [Teravera’s Website](#). - **Contact Carlos:** Reach out directly via his email: [carlos@teravera.com](mailto:carlos@teravera.com). ### Recommended Documentary: In line with the episode’s theme, we recommend "The Ground Beneath Us," a documentary that highlights the environmental benefits of healthy ecosystems. Thank you for being an integral part of our Awarepreneurs community. Together, we can drive positive change and create a more sustainable future. With gratitude, The Awarepreneurs Team --- **Awarepreneurs Podcast:** Fostering social entrepreneurship, enhancing positive impact, profitability, and quality of life. --- P.S. Are you passionate about making a difference? Explore opportunities to contribute and collaborate via our website. Let’s make an impact together! **[Contribute & Collaborate](#)**

🧵 Tweet thread
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🧵 Thread: How a Mold-Killer Became a Lifesaver for Bees 🐝🌍 1/ Ever thought mold-busting tech could save our bee populations? Meet Carlos Pereyo, the entrepreneur who went from killing mildew to combating varroa mites, the nemesis of honeybees! 🍯✨ #BeeSavior #ClimateSolution 2/ Carlos, aiming to rid homes of mold, received surprising feedback—his product killed mites too! 🕷️ Then came a lightbulb moment when a beekeeping friend revealed: "Varroa mites are killing our bee colonies." 💔 #BeeCrisis #InnovativeThinking 3/ Teaming up with @ucdavis, Carlos tested his solution on bees. Guess what? It killed varroa mites WITHOUT harming our buzzing friends! 🚫🕷️✅🐝 #EcoInnovation #BeeHealth 4/ The timing couldn't be better. Bees are critical for pollination & food production, but they're threatened by climate change, pesticides, and these nasty mites. 🌸🥑 #SaveTheBees #FoodSecurity 5/ Alongside bee expert Dr. Sammy Ramsey, Carlos grasped the sheer importance of this work. Deciding to shift focus, his company Teravera now battles for bees and sustainable agriculture. 🌾🚜 #AgTech #SustainableFarming 6/ Teravera uses eco-friendly tech initially developed for military water treatment. Today, they help farmers grow crops without harmful pesticides, ultimately aiding our planet. 🌍💧 #TechForGood #OrganicFarming 7/ Did you know? NM has scarce surface water but a wealth of brains, being home to the highest PhD rate in the US! 🧠⚡ Carlos' upbringing here played a role in his innovative outlook. #NewMexico #Innovation 8/ Early Teravera days weren't smooth—funding hurdles, the pandemic, and the need to prove their tech. Today? New products for beekeepers are in the works, bringing hope to an industry in crisis. 🛠️📈 #StartupLife #Resilience 9/ Consumer power is pivotal. As Carlos says, "Demand transparency and educate yourself on organic produce." 🌱🔍 #ConsumerRights #Sustainability 10/ Entrepreneurs, take note! Carlos' journey showcases the power of adaptability, impactful vision, and the importance of a passionate team. 💼🚀 #StartupLessons #Entrepreneurs 11/ And yes, the cannabis industry played a role too! 🌿 Carlos likens it to Tesla’s Roadster era—an entry point before greater expansion. #CannabisIndustry #Innovation 12/ With bee populations falling and economic strains on beekeepers, the stakes are high. But with Teravera's solutions showing promise, the future buzzes with potential! 🐝💸 #SaveTheBees #EconomicImpact 13/ Tune in to @Awarepreneurs for the full story on Carlos Pereyo's fascinating journey and how passion, tech, and adaptability converge to make a real difference. 🎙️💡 #PodcastRecommendation #ImpactStory 14/ Let’s celebrate the unsung heroes like Carlos who turn challenges into solutions, making our world a better place. 🌍✨ #Innovators #BeeHeroes 15/ Curious about Carlos’ tech and Teravera? Check out their site and stay connected! The fight for a sustainable future is on! 🖥️🌱 #StayInformed #EnvironmentalImpact 🔗 [Link to Teravera’s website] End. 🐝✨ #BeeSavior #ClimateSolution #Sustainability #InnovativeThinking #SaveTheBees

❓ Questions
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Certainly! Here are ten discussion questions based on Episode 2 of the Awarepreneurs podcast featuring Carlos Pereyo: 1. **Entrepreneurial Adaptation**: Carlos Pereyo shifted Teravera’s focus from killing mold to targeting varroa mites in beekeeping. How important is adaptability in entrepreneurship, and what are some challenges entrepreneurs might face when pivoting their business model? 2. **Collaborative Efforts**: Carlos collaborated with UC Davis and bee expert Dr. Sammy Ramsey. How can partnerships with academic institutions and experts impact the efficacy and credibility of a startup? 3. **Environmental Impact**: It was mentioned that current farming practices have unsustainable impacts on food supply and the environment. What are some actionable steps the agriculture industry can take to minimize these impacts? 4. **Consumer Advocacy**: Carlos emphasized the need for informed consumers to demand organic produce and transparency. What strategies can consumers use to advocate for better agricultural practices and products in the market? 5. **Funding vs. Mission Alignment**: Carlos advises being selective about investment sources. How can startups balance the need for funding with maintaining their mission and values? 6. **Employee Satisfaction**: Carlos highlights the importance of meaningful work for employees, leading to zero undesired turnover at Teravera. How can companies cultivate environments where employees find both professional and emotional satisfaction? 7. **Technology in Agriculture**: Teravera’s technology originated from water treatment solutions for the US Department of Defense. What are some other examples of technologies that have successfully transitioned from one industry to another? 8. **Economic Viability of Organic Farming**: The episode discusses the financial challenges faced by organic farmers. What policies or market changes could support the economic sustainability of organic farming? 9. **Environmental Stewardship**: The documentary "The Ground Beneath Us" was mentioned as a resource. How can the principles presented in such documentaries be translated into practical measures in agriculture and environmental conservation? 10. **Scaling Innovations**: Teravera plans to expand into new agricultural applications. What are some strategies that startups can use to scale their innovations across different sectors while maintaining product efficacy and environmental benefits? These questions should encourage a thoughtful and in-depth discussion about the key themes and insights shared in the episode.

🪡 Threads by Instagram
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1. 🌱 In our latest Awarepreneurs episode, Carlos Pereyo discusses his journey from tech to agriculture, transforming a mold-killing solution into a life-saving treatment for bees, proving adaptability is key to impactful entrepreneurship. #BeeAware #SustainableFarming 2. 🚜 Carlos Pereyo shared how the innovative tech from his company, Teravera, is helping farmers eliminate pests without harmful pesticides. This shift is crucial for both our environment and health. Let’s rethink agriculture for a better future. #EcoFriendly #HealthyEating 3. 🐝 Bees are essential for our food supply, but they face threats from climate change, pesticides, and varroa mites. Carlos Pereyo's breakthrough in mite control offers hope for bee populations and sustainable farming. #SaveTheBees #NatureMatters 4. 💡 Entrepreneur Carlos Pereyo reminds us that customer feedback can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. His pivot to using mite-killing tech to save bees showcases the power of listening and adapting in business. #CustomerDrivenInnovation #BusinessTruths 5. 🌍 We need to align our values with our investments. Carlos Pereyo emphasizes choosing investors who share your mission, helping you stay true to your vision while driving impactful change in industries like agriculture. #MissionDriven #AlignYourValues

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