Startup Harvests AI to Reduce Herbicides

Jorge Heraud is an anomaly for a founder whose startup was recently acquired by a corporate giant: Instead of counting days to reap earn-outs, he’s sowing the company’s goodwill message. That might have something to do with the mission. Blue River Technology, acquired by John Deere more than a year ago for $300 million, aims to reduce herbicide use in farms. The effort has been a calling to like-minded talent in Silicon Valley who want to apply their technology know-how to more meaningful problems than the next hot app, said Heraud, who continues to serve as Blue River’s CEO.