Jason Tatge
Founder | Farmobile | Kansas City
Pipeline Class of 2009
Industry Sector
IOT platform for big data collection, organization and monetization in the agriculture industry
Entrepreneurial Growth and Impact
When I interviewed for Pipeline in 2008, I really did not understand the need for a vast national network while I was building my company. Frankly, I already had investors and couldn’t imagine that anyone had anything that significant to add to my knowledge base because I knew no one understood my company like I did. I was my own barrier to growth in that I did not realize how much I could learn and grow from others who “had my back.” In my very first module, when I met my peers and the national advisors, I realized how much I had to learn from everyone around me. Their industries might have been different, but their experience and perspective were priceless.
During my initial Pipeline year in 2009 (the best class, by the way), I made stunning changes to my business model that made all the difference in the world to my company’s success and eventual exit. And those changes came from input from experts from around the country that Pipeline brought to bear. Then when I began my next venture, Farmobile, I leaned on the Pipeline national network for just about everything, including finding my global investor. It massively cut the time it took for me to go from idea, to prototype, to market. The one thing entrepreneurs do not have enough of, is time. Pipeline is like a giant “easy button” for reaching expertise and gaining warm introductions to help you get things done quickly. Frankly, it’s our secret weapon.
I continue to this day to call on my Pipeline peers/family as I face both the business and personal challenges of building what I believe will a multi-billion dollar (more?) company that is transforming the agricultural industry for the better.
“I always say that Pipeline is our secret weapon as Midwest entrepreneurs – but honestly, at the root of all of that is Joni. She has been our secret weapon. She has a way of listening and understanding what we all need to grow, then recruiting the best in the industry to somehow show up and enthusiastically help us. I don’t know how she does it, and I don’t know anyone else with this powerful skillset. It will be fascinating to see her put this skill to work in future endeavors”
Jason Tatge | Founder | Farmobile | Kansas City