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September 17, 2025

Agrotek welcomes SFU Beedie students to drive the next wave of soil innovation

Over the past few months, 38 students from SFU’s Beedie School of Business took part in a real-world challenge to help Agrotek bring its newest innovation — LDS Black Magic — to market.

In collaboration with Professor Matt Martell, students worked in six teams to develop comprehensive marketing strategies for the product, focusing on both retail and industrial audiences. The project offered students an opportunity to apply their business knowledge to a real, BC-made agri-tech solution.

“This partnership with SFU has been a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from the next generation of business leaders,” said Jonathan Mathias, CEO of Agrotek. “Their creativity, strategic thinking, and understanding of sustainability have truly impressed us.”

Building on the strength of these presentations, Agrotek decided to move forward with three of the six strategies and offered positions to five students to support a pilot project set to launch this fall.

Meet the students now bringing their talents to Agrotek:

• Katie Sau – E-Commerce & Social Media Coordinator
• Ralf Tjuatjadarma – E-Commerce & Marketing Coordinator
• Andrey Ponomarev – Business Strategy Analyst
• Joey Tsai – Global Marketing Strategist
• Brandon Powell – Global Marketing Strategist

Together, they will work on projects ranging from e-commerce expansion and product kits to exploring new international markets, while gaining hands-on experience at the forefront of agricultural innovation.

Agrotek appreciates the partnership with Professor Martell and the Beedie School of Business and looks forward to working with these students as they help shape the next phase of Agrotek.