Ask HN: AgTech – What's the best way to gain domain knowledge?

4 points by Donmario 9 years ago | 7 comments

We're a software development company and we recently changed or focus from outsourcing to creating products that solve real life problems. We also decided to focus on AgTech, as an interesting domain with a lot of growth potential in the future.

How do you get domain knowledge? What's different in AgTech then in other industries? Is there a different way you approach people and companies there?

pryelluw 9 years ago |

I mean, not wanting to be pedantic here, but the answer is obvious. You need to network with people in tve industry and learn about their problems. Not gonna happen sitting behind a keyboard. That's the kind if market that requires face ti face contact.

Donmario 9 years ago | |

I get that you have to network with people. My question was if there is something that you need to do differently that the standard way of networking, attending conferences etc?

What are the tips that can help you get domain knowledge faster?

JSeymourATL 9 years ago |

It's a huge space, tons of players. Get some base-level knowledge, start attending conferences > http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/originals/ct-midwest-a...

Donmario 9 years ago | |

Thanks, are there any European conferences that you would recommend? We're from (Poland)

JSeymourATL 9 years ago | | |

World Agri-Tech Investment Summit - London (2 weeks ago) - still worth researching the agenda/speakers/sponsors for prospective partners & clients > http://worldagritechinvestment.com/

shoo 9 years ago |

can you get consulting-ish work with clients in your target industry? put the plans for products on the backburner until you build up a bit of a network of interested customers + have experience from a project or two of delivering things that your target industry wants.

Donmario 9 years ago | |

Sure, that's a good idea, but a little bit time consuming and we would like to start with our own product next year. How do you identify specific issues that you can tackle in AgTech?