Ron Meeusen

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).

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

Global Leader, Plant Genetics and Biotechnology R&D

1998 - 2006

Led expansion of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology R&D division.

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.