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Building the companies that will define the future

I’m Dr. Valeria Kogan — a scientist turned serial entrepreneur. I build and scale technology-driven companies that tackle some of the world's most fundamental challenges and shape what comes next.

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From Science to Entrepreneurship

I started my career in science, earning a PhD in bioinformatics before moving into entrepreneurship. My first venture, Smartomica, brought AI into precision medicine, helping physicians personalize cancer treatment. It also taught me something fundamental: breakthrough science creates real impact only when it makes its way out of the lab and into the world.

I later founded Fermata, an AgTech company using AI and computer vision to help growers detect pests and diseases early, reduce crop losses, and make agriculture more sustainable. Over seven years as CEO, I built Fermata into an international business, working with some of the world's leading agricultural companies. Today, I continue supporting Fermata as a board member.

Now, I'm CEO and Co-founder of FinAgra, where we're rethinking how agriculture is financed and operated. By combining capital, agronomic expertise, technology, and market access, we're building a new model for productive and profitable farming, starting in Kenya and India. It's an ambitious attempt to address some of the structural challenges holding back agricultural productivity in emerging markets.

Along the way, I was recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, named a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, and received the Shimon Peres Heritage Initiative award for social impact.

Across everything I do, one conviction remains constant: technology has enormous potential to improve the world, but realizing that potential requires much more than innovation. It takes entrepreneurial ambition, operational discipline, and the determination to turn great ideas into businesses that shape what comes next.

Awards/Recognition

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My Ventures

FinAgra

CEO & Co-founder | 2026–Present

FinAgra is reimagining how farming works in emerging markets. We combine financing, agronomic expertise, technology, and market access to help local entrepreneurs build productive and profitable farming businesses.

Starting in Kenya and India, we're developing a scalable model that addresses fundamental barriers to agricultural productivity, creates opportunities for rural entrepreneurs, and strengthens food systems.

finagra.com

Fermata

Founder & Board Member | Founded 2019

I founded Fermata to bring the power of artificial intelligence into agriculture. Over seven years as CEO, I led the company from an early-stage concept to an international AgTech business, working with some of the world's leading agricultural companies.

Fermata's technology uses computer vision to monitor crops, detect pests and diseases early, reduce losses, and improve sustainability. Today, I continue supporting the company as a board member.

fermata.tech

Smartomica

Co-founder

My first entrepreneurial venture was Smartomica, a precision oncology company applying artificial intelligence and bioinformatics to cancer treatment.

Building Smartomica was my transition from academic science to entrepreneurship, and the beginning of my journey toward turning complex technologies into practical solutions to real-world problems.

smartomica.com

Advisory & Partnerships

Alongside building my own companies, I'm open to selective advisory roles, board opportunities, and strategic partnerships with ambitious founders, investors, and organizations.

I'm particularly interested in collaborations in the fields of deep tech, AI, biotech, food & agriculture, where my experience can help turn ambitious ideas into a transformational businesses.

A woman is giving a presentation at a conference, standing to the right of a large screen displaying images of surveillance cameras and mobile phones. A man in a suit sits on a pink sofa to the left of the presenter. Audience members are seated in fr
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Woman giving a presentation on labor problems at a conference, with a large screen displaying images of farming and workers, and a yellow and green backdrop with farm-related slogans.
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A woman is giving a presentation on top issues for growers, with a slide showing images of crop spraying equipment and a hand holding a plant. The slide includes sections titled 'Crop Inputs' and 'Crop Loss'.
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Panel discussion at the Forbes Under 30 Summit, with four speakers on stage, three women and one man, and an audience watching. A large screen shows a woman speaking into a microphone.
A woman giving a presentation in front of a projected slide about harvest loss and plant contamination in a greenhouse setting. The slide shows two people in lab coats inside a greenhouse with plants.
Three people posing with thumbs up at the Fruit Logistics Innovation Award ceremony held on February 7, 2025, in Berlin, with a backdrop displaying event details.

Talks, Press & Publications

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Podcastimus

Conversations with the minds shaping our future.

I'm the host of Podcastimus, a podcast exploring the ideas, discoveries, and people pushing the boundaries of what humanity can achieve.

Through conversations with scientists, entrepreneurs, and unconventional thinkers — including guests such as Avi Loeb and Karl Friston — we explore everything from the nature of intelligence and the mysteries of the universe to the technologies that could fundamentally change our world.

Driven by curiosity and a belief in human progress, Podcastimus is about understanding not only what the future might look like, but how we can help build it.

Get in Touch

I'm always interested in connecting with ambitious people who are building something meaningful.

Whether you're exploring a potential collaboration, interested in FinAgra or Fermata, looking for a speaker, or simply have an interesting idea worth discussing, I'd love to hear from you.