Growing up on the U.S.-Mexico border sparked Gideon Kotkowski’s ’18 fascination with agriculture’s role in connecting people and supporting communities.

The curious kid from El Paso, who won a national championship as a polo player at Texas A&M University, moved on to become a trailblazing agricultural entrepreneur after graduation.

Finding his place at Texas A&M

Kotkowski chose Texas A&M for two reasons: the university’s exceptional intercollegiate polo team and its agricultural business program within the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Agricultural Economics. Both proved pivotal in shaping his time as a student.

The Department of Agricultural Economics helped Kotkowski establish the foundation for his success.

Nine people wearing maroon polos and equestrian attire stand in front of a banner that says "2018 USPA National Intercollegiate Championships" while holding two large trophies.
Gideon Kotkowski ’18 helped secure two national championships as a Texas A&M polo team member. (Courtesy photo/Jim Bremner)

“The department taught me how to think critically, adapt to challenges and create value wherever I go,” he said.

Kotkowski cherishes the relationships he built during his time at Texas A&M, especially those forged with classmates who offered insights into farming and ranching that were new to someone who grew up in a city environment.

As a member of the polo team, he competed all four years and helped secure two national championships. His senior-year victory in 2018, when he captained the team, stands out as a defining moment.

Off the field, Kotkowski found his place in FLEX, a freshman leadership organization, and Aggie Outdoors, two organizations he joined during their founding years. Through these experiences, he developed leadership skills and built lifelong friendships.

“Organizations like these didn’t just prepare me academically,” he said. “They gave me a community and a network of people who continue to inspire me.”

A career rooted in agriculture and innovation

Before graduation, as a senior at Texas A&M, Kotkowski co-founded Infeed, a project focused on converting black soldier fly larvae into sustainable protein for poultry and aquaculture. Although the project didn’t last, it sparked his passion for sustainable agriculture and innovative problem-solving that he would carry with him for many years.

After graduating in 2018 with a degree in agricultural business, he began to channel his entrepreneurial spirit into real-world ventures.

His professional journey started at a venture capital firm focused on impact investing. However, Kotkowski quickly realized he was more interested in building businesses than analyzing them. This realization led him to Venture for America, a nonprofit that connects recent graduates with startup opportunities. Through this fellowship, he found his place with Balto, a startup where he played a key role in growing the team from just 13 employees to over 200.

Since then, Kotkowski has taken on roles that blend sustainability and innovation. At Farmhand Ventures, he supported investments in agricultural robotics to tackle labor challenges in farming. Now, at Green Project Technologies, he helps companies measure, report and reduce their carbon footprints. Alongside these roles, he co-founded Build It, a tech-enabled recruiting firm and marketplace that connects bilingual talent to U.S. firms, addressing inefficiencies in the recruiting process and the growing need for bilingual talent. 

Grit and adventure at the Mongol Derby

Amid his entrepreneurial achievements, Kotkowski also co-founded the Horse People Podcast, where he explores the stories and experiences of equestrians. This project blends his love for horses with his entrepreneurial drive, reinforcing his commitment to grit, storytelling and growth — traits that continue to shape his career.

These qualities were put to the test when Kotkowski took on one of the toughest physical and mental challenges imaginable: the Mongol Derby. Known as the world’s longest horse race, it spans 650 miles across Mongolia and requires riders to navigate vast, rugged terrain on semi-wild horses over 10 grueling days.

“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding,” Kotkowski said. “It reminded me of the value of persistence and the deep connection between humans and animals.”

A man riding a horse in a grassy field points with one hand will four flags are in the background.
A man wearing a blue and red flag with his fist in the air stands next to a horse in a grassy field.
(Courtesy photos/Kathy Gabriel)

A future of innovation

Kotkowski is now based in San Diego and continues to push boundaries with ventures like Build It, which is redefining talent sourcing, and his ongoing work at Green Project Technologies. For him, the key to success is staying curious, taking risks and always assuming positive intent.

“People aren’t out to get you,” he said. “Approach every situation with an open mind, and you’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish.”

Looking back, Kotkowski emphasizes the importance of his Aggie experience in preparing him for a career at the intersection of agriculture, technology and sustainability.

“The department gave me more than a degree — it gave me a community and a perspective that I carry with me every day,” he said. “It’s the place where I learned how to think critically about global challenges, collaborate with others and pursue big dreams.”

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