In a recent episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams spoke with Matthew Rooda, the CEO and co-founder of SwineTech. Matthew shared insights into his entrepreneurial journey, which began with his background in pig production. Raised in Iowa, he was initially involved in pig farming through his family and later pursued studies at the University of Iowa, where he was encouraged to explore unique paths in genetics and biotechnology. This led him to manage sow farms, where he observed challenges such as labor shortages and the problem of piglet crushing, where sows inadvertently lay on their piglets, resulting in significant financial losses.
SwineTech was founded to address these issues, initially focusing on using voice recognition technology to prevent piglet crushing. Matthew and his partner, Abraham, developed a system to alert sows to stand up when piglets were at risk. Their innovation gained traction through pitch competitions and accelerator programs. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company pivoted from its initial focus to a broader workforce management platform for pig farms, emphasizing human-centered automation to improve efficiency and care.
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The conversation also touched on the challenges of building a startup, including lessons learned about hiring, maintaining a strong work culture, and the importance of founders paying themselves adequately to maintain focus. Matthew highlighted the company’s growth and expansion into international markets, despite the macroeconomic challenges faced by the swine industry in recent years.
Matthew offered advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of passion, resilience, and seeking mentorship. He encouraged entrepreneurs to maintain a presence in both the entrepreneurial and industry communities to build a strong reputation and network. The episode concluded with gratitude for the support from InnoVenture Iowa, which has invested in SwineTech, recognizing its contributions to the state’s economy and the swine industry.