Natarajan “Bala” Balachander, PhD
Natarajan “Bala” Balachander is an ag industry veteran with close to 30 years of experience in developing, manufacturing and commercialization of new technologies in the agricultural industry prior to retiring from fulltime work end of 2022. He currently works as a mentor and consultant for emerging new technology companies in the ag. sector as well as assisting companies in M&A due diligence.
Bala has a unique experience in combining new and innovative technologies to meet market needs in agriculture in the areas of crop protection, agronomy and crop enhancements. Specific areas include seed treatment technologies, biological products including biopesticides, biostimulants and other nutrients. During his career he has held leadership roles across functions from concept development, validation, product development, manufacturing and commercialization of new to market technologies. Bala has extensive network in the ag industry both in the USA and globally, with extensive contacts across technical, sales, management capacities, and has broad experience in negotiating licensing agreements, cooperative partnerships, technology transfer and M&A activities.
Bala has held leadership roles on several companies including Landec Corporation, Incotec NA and AgBiome. Bala received his BSc (Honors) and MSc degrees from Delhi University and his PhD from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Prior to joining the ag industry, he also held research associate positions Emory University and University of Louisville.
Bala lives with his wife in Cary, NC and has a daughter finishing up her doctoral work at U. Michigan. He also enjoys playing tennis, golf and photography in his spare time.
Areas of Expertise: Biological products (biopesticides, biostimulants, nutrients), Microbials, Seed treatments and coatings, Agribusiness, Polymer Chemistry, Formulation, Technology Management, Controlled Release, New Product Development, Sales and Marketing, Technology Commercialization, Strategic Partnering and Licensing, Technology Transfer, Business Development, Manufacturing