By Jahanvi Chamria ’28 and Diya Badola ’25
When I (Jahanvi) walked into the room on the first day of the TIA Summer Accelerator, I had no idea just how defining the next two months would be for our venture, Shneer Agritech.
We have developed a prototype to fully automate vanilla farming for an industry — worth more than $3 billion — that is still heavily dependent on manual labor and traditional methods. Our alpha test had already shown promise: we grew 16 vanilla plants in just 1.5 years (a process that typically takes four years), using no soil, 80% less water, and without human monitoring, all in Rajasthan — the driest state in India. Sensors ensured optimal humidity (80–90%) and sent alerts for deviations, reducing labor costs and improving efficiency. Built on insights from our founder Diya’s family’s long-standing experience in custard apple farming, our system combined past agricultural knowledge with tech-driven sustainability.
What we took away from the bootcamp: communicating what matters
We knew the process worked. But we didn’t know how to explain why it mattered: clearly, quickly, and to the right audience. On the very first day, we were asked to present our mission. We struggled to summarize our tech-heavy, detailed model in just a few minutes. That’s when mentor Andres Echenique ’83 said: “Being able to describe your business in under 10 words is a superpower.”
That stuck with us. Through daily feedback and constant revision, we learned the importance of choosing the right details, not all the details. Everything mattered: slide titles, layout, and design language. By the end of the first two weeks, we had practiced framing our work not as a process, but as a story. That lesson in clarity and storytelling is something we’ll carry with us well beyond this venture.
Mentorship that grounded our thinking
Working with our mentor Stephen Rock ’85 was a highlight. He took the time to understand every technical detail of our model and pushed us to step back and think bigger. His feedback was always honest and constructive. He helped us rethink how we framed our vision and guided us in approaching real buyers to understand market needs firsthand. Those conversations helped us fine-tune our model and validate assumptions we hadn’t even realized we were making.
Using the grant to build the right scale, at the right time
The funding allows us to move into our beta test: a 500-square-meter R&D facility. This is where we’ll validate our system at scale, test pollination success, nutrient management, misting, and ventilation. We’ll monitor aroma development during curing and get lab-certified quality analysis, steps that are essential before entering full-scale production. This phase helps us de-risk future expansion and will also serve as a long-term innovation lab. With the mentors’ input, we realized this intermediate step was critical before jumping into a 3,000-square-meter commercial facility. After three years, the lab is also expected to turn cash-flow positive.
What in-person collaboration made possible
Being physically present made a huge difference. The spontaneous whiteboard sessions, feedback from peers, and the opportunity to iterate in real-time with mentors wouldn’t have worked the same way over Zoom. Even informal lunch conversations often turned into brainstorming sessions. The field visit to the Farmstead 1868 lavender farm was especially helpful for our venture. There, we saw how founder Monica Cody carved out a brand in a commodity market and expanded sustainably — it resonated with our vision for Shneer.
What we learned and what we’d pass on
If we had to write a short how-to guide for someone starting a venture like ours, working at the intersection of agriculture, sustainability, and automation, here’s what we’d say, based on what we learned in the TIA Summer Accelerator:
- Show, don’t just tell. Don’t just say there’s a big market. Instead, demonstrate why your solution solves a real gap.
- Simplify the story. If people can’t understand it quickly, they won’t invest time or money.
- Plan for what can go wrong. Build a model that can survive shocks, especially in agri-supply chains.
- Listen to your users early. Talk to buyers, don’t just make assumptions. Ground your product in real-world needs.
This accelerator helped us shift from just building a strong product to building a clear, scalable business. It gave us sharper tools to communicate, a better understanding of the market, and a practical roadmap for what comes next.
It was about learning how to slow down, focus, and structure growth in a way that’s smart, not just ambitious. That shift in mindset might be the most important thing we’re taking with us.