S4E44: Aja Atwood - Plant-Training Robotics

Join Harry Duran, host of Vertical Farming Podcast, as he welcomes to the show Aja Atwood. Aja is the co-founder and CEO of Trella Technologies, an organization that provides technical, innovative solutions to make indoor and urban farming a sustainable, long-lasting industry.

Today, Harry and Aja talk about the amazing technologies they’re developing at Trella, including automated plant-training robotics. Aja shares her entrepreneurial origin story which started with her natural curiosity and analytical mind and led her to building a company that aiming to change the vertical farming industry. She discusses the incredible work they’re doing with Trella’s partnership with Jean Charles Academy and speaks to the importance of fostering diversity in the workplace. Finally, Aja talks about what’s next for Trella and what excites her about the future of AgTech.

Episode Sponsor

CULTIVATD

Freight Farms

Key Takeaways

03:41 – Harry welcomes to the show Aja Atwood, who joins the show to discuss her company, Trella, and her vertical farming origin story
11:00 – A curious and analytical mind
13:15 – Aja’s podcast origin story
18:39 – Partnering with Jean Charles Academy
25:33 – The Trella Story and the idea to grow plants horizontally
32:22 – No More Mondays: the decision to pursue entrepreneurship
35:35 – Biggest lessons Aja learned throughout her career
38:57 – Aja speaks to the market response to Trella
41:38 – What excites Aja most about the future of Trella and vertical farming
43:42 – Aja talks about some of the successful partnerships they’ve developed at Trella and some of the AgTech conferences she’s attended
46:55 – Aja comments on the lack of diversity in the AgTech industry
50:48 – A tough question Aja has had to ask herself recently
52:38 – Harry thanks Aja for joining the show and let’s listeners know where they can learn more about Trella and connect with Aja