How to Build Intelligent, Flexible Manufacturing with Sojo

We are at an inflection point in manufacturing where artificial intelligence, robotics, and data are converging to fundamentally change what's possible in the physical world. In this episode, Barak Bar-Cohen, founder and CEO of Sojo Industries, joins Chuck Templeton to explore what that transformation actually looks like on the ground, using one of the most deceptively complex problems in consumer goods: the variety pack. What starts as a story about putting different flavors into one box quickly opens up into a much bigger conversation about why traditional manufacturing is so difficult to innovate in, and how mobility, automation, and AI can finally change that. Together, they dig into what it really means to layer AI throughout a physical business, capturing everything from machine error codes to engineering conversations, and let the whole operation learn from itself and rapidly improve. It's a conversation that will change the way you think about the snack aisle and the future of physical AI.Chapters: 2:29 — The Variety Pack Problem9:20 — The Door to Floor Model11:38 — Business Model Breakdown15:20 — Sojo Shield and Traceability19:01 — Layering AI Into the Organization28:10 — The AI Culture Shift34:17 — Sojo and Sustainability26:47 — Sojo’s Futurę VisionThis content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change. For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

In this episode, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon joins Sanjeev Krishnan for a conversation about resilience and opportunity in a world defined by volatility. Gayle brings a rare breadth of experience as a builder, early-stage advisor, PE portfolio strategist, foreign policy veteran, former political reporter, investor, and three-time New York Times best-selling author on geopolitical topics, with a front-row seat to multiple moments of global transition. Together, they dig into Gayle’s idea of a “triangle of opportunity” at the intersection of energy, artificial intelligence, and geopolitics, and why those forces are increasingly shaping how societies and economies evolve. They also talk about how to separate signal from noise in today’s policy landscape and what business leaders can learn from entrepreneurs operating in the most fragile and constrained environments. It’s a grounded, clear-eyed conversation about how to think, communicate, and build when the rules are constantly changing. Key Takeaways:Economics and politics can’t be separated anymore. Gayle explains how political forces quietly shape markets, capital flows, and business outcomes, whether leaders want to admit it or not. She argues this is a moment of rising political corners and borders.Fairness has become a defining theme of this era. From labor to capital markets, Sanjeev and Gayle discuss why perceptions of who benefits and who doesn’t are influencing trust, policy, and long-term stability. Homogeneous thinking is a real business risk in periods of rapid change. Gayle argues that value is increasingly created by people who can move across disciplines and see congruities that others may miss.AI, energy, and geopolitics are tightly linked. Sanjeev and Gayle explore how each of these forces shapes the others, and decisions in one area increasingly ripple and resonate across the rest in sometimes unpredictable ways.Clear, genuine storytelling is no longer optional. According to Gayle, in a crowded, noisy investment landscape, leaders and companies that can communicate simply and authentically are more likely to earn trust and endure.You can purchase Gayle’s first book, “The Dressmaker of Khair Khana,” referenced in this episode here: https://www.amazon.com/Dressmaker-Khair-Khana-Remarkable-Everything/dp/0061732478 This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change. For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

In this bonus episode, we’re bringing together seven CEOs across the S2G portfolio to explore what it actually looks like to make food as health a reality within the U.S. healthcare system. In a previous episode, we focused on the obstacles and investor opportunity, so this week we’re steering the conversation to the solutions already being built and tested in the market.Across clinical nutrition, oncology, care coordination, meal delivery, and life-science AI, leaders from Mend, Big Bold Health, Pyx Health, Mealogic, NourishedRx, Sōlaria Biō, and Brightseed describe how they’re reframing healthcare through food-based solutions. The discussion spans new scientific frameworks for understanding food as a complex, multi-target intervention, the importance of rigorous clinical evidence and FDA pathways, the realities of reimbursement and payer incentives, and the challenge of patient adherence. Woven together, these CEOs create a blueprint for a healthcare system where food-based solutions are preventative, scalable, and central rather than peripheral.Links:The Food as Health Opportunity white paperBig Bold HealthBrightseedMealogicMendNourishedRxPyx HealthSōlaria BiōThis content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change. For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

Electric vehicles have become a bit of a cultural lightning rod, but behind the headlines, there’s a lot to be excited about. In this episode, Sanjeev sits down with Mitra CEO Galina Russell, S2G Principal Marisa Sweeney, and Clean Tech Strategy Advisors’ Managing Partner Anna Demeo to talk about the state of the EV market and where the opportunities lie today. Mitra, a recent investment from S2G’s Special Opportunities team, helps small and midsize commercial fleets go electric by bundling vehicles and charging into a single, simple offering, delivering savings almost immediately with no upfront cost. The conversation explores how EVs could make the power grid more flexible rather than more strained, why electrification is closely tied to the future of autonomous vehicles, how China’s rapid scaling of EVs and charging infrastructure is reshaping global markets, and why financing remains one of the biggest bottlenecks to broader adoption. It’s a clear, practical look at where the EV story is headed and what it will take to get there.  Chapters: 03:24 - The State of Transportation05:33 - Cultural Aspects of EV Adoption09:00 - EV Industry Investment Landscape11:53 - China's Role in the EV Market14:42 - EVs and the Future of the Grid18:49 - Physical AI and Autonomous Vehicles21:37 - Mitra's Approach to Fleet Electrification27:22 - Fit for Purpose Capital in EVs33:17 - Bringing in More Capital40:22 - Future Predictions for EV AdoptionThis content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change. For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

If diet is a major driver of chronic disease, and chronic disease is driving healthcare costs, why are our food and healthcare systems still so separate? And what would change if they weren’t? In this episode, S2G’s Sanjeev Krishnan and Dan Ripma use our new Food as Health white paper as a jumping-off point to unpack what “food as health” really means and why a system that keeps getting more expensive without making people healthier is reaching its limits. They explore the tension between medical ethics and financial reality, the disconnect between hunger and nutrition, and why food has to be part of any serious conversation about cost and prevention. Then we zoom out to what this means for investors and how healthcare economics reshape the opportunity in food. Ultimately, this is a conversation about how food could move from being part of the problem to becoming one of the most powerful tools we have to change the economics and the outcomes of our healthcare system.Chapters: 3:06: Nutrition's Identity Crisis5:58: The Hippocratic oath vs. The Bond Market8:03: Food as Health as Strategic Infrastructure 10:48: Economic Implications of Healthcare Costs12:41: Challenges in Policy and Nutrition16:24: S2G’s Food as Health Strategy18:58: Clinical and Economic Evidence29:04: Investor Perspective on Food as HealthThis content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change. For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

What if the biggest risk right now isn’t getting the answers wrong, but asking the wrong questions? In our Season 3 kickoff, all three S2G Managing Partners come together to unpack a moment defined by volatility, AI acceleration, geopolitics, and a rising cost of capital. They explore why constraints are no longer a weakness but a competitive advantage, and how affordability, resilience, and execution matter more than hype. From private markets and global debt to AI, demographics, and the “Age of Adaptation,” Sanjeev Krishnan, Chuck Templeton, and Aaron Rudberg help frame the macro and micro playbook for what it will take to build businesses in 2026. It’s a sharp, honest look at where to find the opportunity when the rules keep changing.Key Takeaways:Constraints create winners. The MPs discuss how tighter capital, higher rates, and geopolitical friction favor disciplined builders and sober investors.AI is shifting from experiment to ROI. The conversation reveals how 2026 is about using AI to drive real productivity, margin improvement, and “cheaper, faster, better” outcomes.A human edge still matters. While AI is powerful, Chuck argues it’s human judgment, experience, and the ability to guide it that ultimately turn technology into a real advantage.Resilience beats efficiency in a volatile world. According to the MPs, the future belongs to companies with durable moats, flexible supply chains, and business models built to survive uncertainty.The right questions matter more than ever. According to Sanjeev, old assumptions about capital, risk, and growth no longer hold. Success now starts with rethinking first principles.This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change. For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

We're back! Season 3 kicks off January 15th. This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change. For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

In this special episode-share, we team up with Everybody in the Pool to spotlight the urgent and fast-growing challenge of microplastic pollution and the breakthrough filtration technology designed to tackle it at scale. Longtime tech and business journalist Molly Wood speaks with Adam Root, Matter’s founder and CEO, about how microfibers from everyday laundry to industrial textile production have become one of the largest sources of ocean microplastics, and why the textile industry is facing mounting pressure from regulators, retailers, and consumers to address the issue. Matter’s regenerative filtration system offers a practical, modular solution that can be deployed across home appliances and industrial facilities, delivering both measurable environmental benefits and meaningful cost savings. It’s a forward-looking conversation about how infrastructure-level innovation can reshape a legacy industry and build cleaner, more resilient water systems worldwide.Links:Matter Industries Website: https://matter.industries/ Adam Root LinkedInAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/ Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/ Become a member and get an ad-free version of the podcast: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change. For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

Food prices keep climbing. Farmers are facing shrinking profit margins. Can AI really fix both, or is it just another Silicon Valley hype cycle? With all the talk about an “AI bubble,” we bring you a conversation about how AI is already shaping farm viability today and what it could mean for your grocery bill tomorrow.In this episode of the S2G Podcast, Chuck Templeton sits down with Shail Khiyara, CEO of decision-intelligence company SWARM, and Adam Greenberg, CEO of greenhouse OS provider IUNU, to unpack how AI is being used today across fields, greenhouses, and supply chains. They dig into how digital twins, sensors, and machine vision can turn volatility into an advantage, cut waste, and boost margins for growers while helping keep food more affordable for consumers.They discuss what it really takes to drive AI adoption in a sector built on thin margins and healthy skepticism, and how partnerships and long-term purchase agreements could reshape the economics of fresh, local food. Whether you’re an AI superfan or a skeptic, an ag insider, or just someone worried about your grocery bill, this conversation offers a grounded look at what a smarter, continuously learning food system might actually look like in practice.Chapters: 03:55 SWARM and IUNU’s AI Solutions08:59 Challenges and Mindset Shifts in AI Adoption11:50 AI's Impact on Decision Making in Agriculture14:10 Accelerating AI Adoption in Agriculture25:29 The Cognitive Grid: AI's Future in Agriculture27:31 Economic Impacts of AI on Farmers32:08 Successful Partnerships and Future Outlook36:38 Advice for Farmers on AI AdoptionThis content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change. For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

The Farm Bill, our country’s cornerstone for farm and nutrition policy, has long been a rare beacon of bipartisan success. But the recent deal to reopen the government quietly tacked on yet another extension of the 2018 Farm Bill that has had a series of extensions since 2023. So the question is: are we watching the end of big bipartisan legislation? Or is it time to rethink the playbook entirely, bringing in new stakeholders and connecting more of the issues that shape the system to build a broader coalition?Consider the landscape we’re navigating. This year, USDA projects an agricultural trade deficit approaching $50 billion. Meanwhile, defense, Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, and interest on the debt account for roughly 70% of federal spending. At the same time, 70% of Americans are overweight or obese, and the One Big Beautiful Bill proposes cutting $186 billion from SNAP over the next decade. These are enormous, interconnected challenges, and maybe the only way forward is to bring them to the same negotiating table and design solutions big enough to match the moment.In this episode, Sanjeev Krishnan sits down with Randy Russell, President of The Russell Group, a bipartisan government relations firm focused exclusively on food and agriculture public policy, and Grant Leslie, S2G’s new Operating Partner for Government and Policy. Together, they break down how linking agriculture, nutrition, healthcare, and fiscal realities could unlock better outcomes for American producers, communities, and national security. But doing that requires a systems mindset. It means widening the tent. It means seeing farm policy as far bigger than agriculture alone.And ultimately, the people who will succeed here will be the ones bold enough to think differently.Chapters:04:59 Randy Russell's Career Journey06:43 The Rural-Urban Divide in Politics09:52 State of American Agriculture13:46 Challenges in U.S. Agricultural Policy16:28 The Future of the Farm Bill19:55 New Stakeholders in Food and Agriculture22:55 Linking Agriculture, Healthcare, and National Security31:49 The Role of Technology and Innovation41:41 Food Security as National SecurityThis content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change. For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.