Ron Meeusen
Managing Director at Cultivian Sandbox Ventures
Greater Chicago Area
Overview
Work Experience
Managing Director
2013 - Current
Cultivian Sandbox Ventures, LLC is the management company for the Cultivian Sandbox Food & Ag Funds II and III, $250 million AUM venture funds focused exclusively on high technology opportunities in the food and agtech sectors (www.cultiviansbx.com). Current board positions with Vestaron Corp., Agrivida Inc. (Board Chair), IngredientWerks (Board Chair), Sound Ag (observer) and Immuneworks (Board Chair). Former board member of enEvolv (sold to Zymergen), Allylix Inc (Sold to Evolva), Divergence Inc. (Sold to Monsanto) and Aratana Inc. (2013 IPO).
Cultivian Sandbox is a venture capital firm focused on building next-generation disruptive agriculture and food technology companies
Chairman of the Board
2021
(Board members volunteer their time) The Illinois Agri-Food Alliance (ILAFA) is an independent, multi-stakeholder collaborative network working to harness the strengths of Illinois’ food and agriculture sector. As a neutral third-party convener and connector, the Illinois Agri-Food Alliance is building a platform for non-partisan collaboration that convenes government, NGOs, and industry members.
Managing Partner
2008
Raised $35 million VC fund. Sourced deals, negotiated and executed investments, served on boards of portfolio companies and participated in M&A exits.
Managing Partner
2006
Venture capital fund focused on high technology opportunities in the food and agricultural sectors. $34 million under management.
Chairman of the Board
2007
Founded company with inventors. Served as founding CEO. Now chairing BOD.
CEO and Founder
2006 - 2007
Chief Scientific Officer
2004 - 2006
BioCrossroads is a venture capital firm specializing in life sciences companies based in Indiana.
Raised $1,480,000.00 from Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.
Global Leader, Plant Genetics and Biotechnology R&D
1998 - 2006
Led expansion of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology R&D division.
Dow AgroSciences is increasing crop productivity through higher yields, better varieties, and more targeted pest management control.
Dir. Americas Breeding
1996 - 1998
Director Biotechnology
1988 - 1990
Manager Biotechnology
1979 - 1988
As part of 3 person team, evaluated the emerging technologies collectively known as "biotechnology" and recommended strategy to position R&H appropriately. Recommendations resulted in contract R&D with Plant Genetic Systems in Belgium which successfully used genetic engineering to produce the world's first GMO insect resistant plants. Also resulted in world's first field test of a GMO insect resistant crop and associated pioneering patents. In the process an internal biotechnology R&D group was formed, which I managed.
Education
Ph.D.
1974 - 1979
Bachelor of Science - BS
1972 - 1975