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At Global Neighbor, innovation sprouted from curiosity. When Patrick Jackson set out to kill crabgrass without chemicals, his father, Jon Jackson, encouraged him to build a prototype to test his idea. Patrick’s concept—using light instead of herbicides—worked, and that early experiment grew into something far bigger.
Today, Global Neighbor is pioneering directed energy technology that transforms how farmers manage their fields. Their systems use light to prevent weed seeds from germinating during harvest and to energize crop seeds for stronger, faster growth at planting. By reducing the need for chemicals and boosting productivity, the company is helping farmers achieve both profitability and sustainability.
The technology’s reach extends further than many might expect. The Department of Defense (DOD), which manages more than 33 million acres of land, is evaluating Global Neighbor’s approach to reduce herbicide use and improve maintenance efficiency. A single robot using the company’s directed energy technology can replace tens of thousands of dollars in herbicide costs each year while protecting airman’s health and reducing labor demands. Whether on a farm field or on an Air Force base, Global Neighbor’s solutions offer a smarter, cleaner, and more cost-effective path forward.
Like all meaningful innovation, the journey has required significant resources. “Everything takes a lot more money than you ever think,” Jackson explains. “Getting the capital you need early and getting the right people involved is critical.” For Global Neighbor, those people have included angel investors from within the farming community, as well as environmentally focused venture groups that believe in sustainable solutions for global challenges. “We’ve been fortunate to work with investors who are not just funding the business, but who share our values and bring real expertise,” he says.
With the support of the Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC), Global Neighbor has been able to grow from an inventive idea into an industry-changing company. EC helps connect founders like Jon with the investors, mentors, and strategic resources needed to turn bold ideas into scalable ventures. By bridging founders and funders, EC strengthens the region’s innovation economy and helps sustainable technologies like Global Neighbor reach the industries that need them most.
Innovation grows where vision and belief take root. If you’re a founder looking for the right partners to help your business grow, let’s connect. If you’re an investor who wants to help empower the next generation of innovators, reach out here.
