Funded, Now What! Episode 44 : Quantum Dots & The Future of Global Food Security with UbiQD
In this episode of Funded, Now What?!, host Andrew Lee Miller (@growthexpertz) explores the frontier of nanotechnology with Hunter McDaniel, the visionary CEO and founder of UbiQD.
UbiQD is a nanomaterial startup that is literally changing the color of the world. By utilizing "quantum dots" , tiny particles that can precisely tune the spectrum of light, Hunter is solving massive problems in industries ranging from clean energy to global agriculture. Fresh off a $20 million Series B (bringing their total raised to $35 million), Hunter explains how these "impossibly small" particles are creating "impossibly big" results, like a 40% increase in crop yields.
Tune in as we dive into:
The "Golf Ball" Analogy: How to explain complex quantum physics to a five-year-old (and why size matters).
The Morocco Strategy: How UbiQD landed the world’s largest cherry tomato producer as a partner.
Marketing vs. Advertising: Why Hunter believes in building a solid marketing foundation before "pouring gas on the fire" with ads.
The UbiGro Wedge: Why focusing on one undeniable result yield enhancement is the "marketing gold" that wins over skeptical farmers.
Platform vs. Product: The challenge of marketing a technology that can be used in everything from Samsung TVs to anti-counterfeit ink and Mars greenhouses.
About the Show:
Funded, Now What?! is the ultimate startup marketing podcast for founders and growth-focused leaders. It’s the world’s only show that interviews recently funded founders to uncover how they raised millions and gives them tactical advice on how to spend it to scale efficiently in their industry and beyond.
To listen to more episodes, learn more at: https://growthexpertz.com/podcast/
About GrowthExpertz:
After helping drive growth for his third VC-backed exit, Andrew Lee Miller founded GrowthExpertz in 2016 to give startups access to senior marketing expertise without the cost and risk of building a full in-house team too early. Since then, GrowthExpertz has helped more than 100 tech startups grow faster and spend smarter through strategic marketing consulting, fractional leadership, and hands-on execution. Backed by nearly two decades of real-world growth experience, the team partners directly with founders to build scalable go-to-market strategies, run high-impact experiments, and create predictable growth engines.
To book a free chat with Andrew and the team visit: www.growthexpertz.com
Why Fractional Consultants?
Harvard Business Review found that startups using fractional execs see up to 50% faster growth thanks to their cost-effective expertise and strategic firepower.
Want to work with us? Email [email protected]
🔗 Learn more about the amazing work that UbiQD is doing: https://www.ubiqd.com/
Check out their ag-tech brand: https://ubigro.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Quantum Dots and UbiQD
03:36 The Science: From Atoms to Golf Balls
05:31 Why "Ubiquity"? The Mission for Universal Tech
07:58 Surgical Marketing: Acquiring Global Clients
10:56 The UbiGro Case Studies: 40% Yield Improvements
14:35 The "Got Milk" Awareness Campaign for Quantum Dots
16:10 Pricing & ROI: The Economics of Light
21:55 The Platform Challenge: Accessing Diverse Audiences
25:06 Andrew’s Advice: Treating Niche Businesses as Separate Organisms