This month we would like to introduce you to Dr Andrew Muir who is an Investor Director responsible for AgPlus’s Scientific Advisory Board.
A BIT ABOUT Andrew
Andrew has a degree and a D Phil in Chemistry from the University of Oxford Centre. He worked in industry for half of his career, in surface coatings and medical devices, before turning to the dark side of venture investing. Andrew says “When you work with young technology companies it helps to have been through some of the challenges yourself, although you have to be careful not to regurgitate nostalgia…”.COMPANY ROLE
I sit on the Board of Directors as a Non-exec and I bring to the table my experience and expertise to execute and deliver operational excellence, leveraging my global network when and as required. I initiated Ag Plus’s Scientific Advisory Board the key objective of which is to review technology development with the company’s strategic direction and map against market opportunities.
STARTING WITH AG+
The UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund invested in AgPlus in 2016. The pedigree of the technology- out of NPL, the UK’s world-leading measurement institute- was important for us but we were also attracted by the different business model. AgPlus is focused on putting diagnostic assays which have proven their worth in the market onto a new platform which enables them to improve clinical outcomes further, which gives it a different kind of risk profile.
BEST PART OF THE JOB
Being a small part of such a talented, professional and likeable team of executives and non-executives.
WORST PART OF THE JOB
As an investor in early stage companies you get used to finding some bumps in the road. It can be frustrating when other investors don’t “get it” and progress is slowed due to the inefficiency of fundraising when the team could be getting on with the important stuff.
THE YEAR AHEAD
I’m really looking forward to seeing the completed Agilis platform. We see a lot of PowerPoints in board meetings and there is always some important strategic questions to discuss but nothing beats seeing the technology put into practice.
