We're on a mission to create a sustainable future for agriculture

Our Mission

ZELP is an agricultural technology company committed to creating a sustainable future for farming – one that meets the interconnected needs of our planet, our people, and the animals in our care. 

Our first focus is to develop and scale technology to support the livestock industry.

The importance of livestock

Today, 1.3 billion people rely on the livestock industry for their livelihoods and food security. Meat and dairy products are an important source of essential micronutrients, including iron, calcium, zinc, selenium and vitamin B12, and, as the world’s population continues to grow, the demand for beef and dairy is predicted to increase.

The need for urgent action

The livestock industry is, however, the single biggest source of human-driven methane emissions globally, emitting more than both the oil & gas industry and the coal industry.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and air pollutant and has a much greater global warming effect than carbon dioxide. Over a 20-year period, methane traps 84 times more heat than carbon dioxide, which is why experts agree that cutting methane is one of the strongest levers we have to slow climate change in the near future.

ZELP is committed to helping address these challenges and supporting: 

 

Environmental Sustainability 

Animal Welfare
All systems

Farm Profitability

Food Security

Our Values

Our team of scientists, engineers and veterinarians are driven by four key values.

Collaboration

We believe that viable solutions are ones that meet the needs of all stakeholders. We actively seek input from, and partnership with, a broad range of stakeholders and experts.

Innovation

We believe that success comes from finding new ways to do things. We’re not afraid to challenge prevailing assumptions, think outside the box and disrupt the norm.

Integrity

We believe that progress requires honesty and accountability. We build trust through transparency and take responsibility for our actions.

Determination

We believe that even the hardest problems can be solved. We don’t shy away from challenges. We’re determined, humble and resilient.

Our Team

Leadership

Francisco Norris
CEO & Co-Founder

Vlad Panferov
CFO

James Arnold
COO

Jordan McRae
VP of Engineering

Eva Gandhi
Head of People

Board of Directors

Patricio Norris
Chairman & Co-Founder

Francisco Norris
CEO & Co-Founder

Marcus Remmers
Partner, Novo Holdings

Craig Dalton
Executive & Board Leader, Collaborative Fund

Andrés Galindo
Chief Trading Officer & Head of Trading, ED&F Man Sugar 

Edurado Bolio
Senior Partner & Managing Director Emeritus, McKinsey

Jean Prevot
Danone Manifesto Ventures

Partners & Collaborators

We are committed to creating win-win solutions for key players in the livestock industry, including farmers, producers and governments.

We’re grateful to have received investment and support from:

 

We’re proud to partner with industry-leading brands and renowned research institutions, including:

Awards & Recognition

Francisco Norris

Co-Founder & CEO
Board Member

Francisco, a design technologist by background, began developing ZELP’s core technology while completing his Master’s degree in Information Experience Design at the Royal College of Art in London.Raised in Argentina with a deep connection to farming, Francisco combines technical expertise and creativity with a strategic, inclusive leadership style. 

Under his guidance, ZELP is developing and scaling innovative solutions to measure and reduce livestock emissions. His vision is to create a sustainable future for agriculture – one that supports livelihoods, strengthens food security and promotes animal welfare.

Vlad Panferov

CFO

Vlad brings more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of finance, industrials, and the energy transition.

After earning a BSc in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics, Vlad built his career in investment banking at Barclays, advising global industrial and chemical companies and private equity investors on M&A and financing. He later founded CoreElement Financial, an independent advisory firm, focussed on complex cross‑border transactions, and served as Head of Strategy and Investments at Atlas Agro, leading project development, M&A and fundraising in the industrial and energy transition sectors.

At ZELP, Vlad draws on this experience to lead our financial strategy and capital formation. He partners closely with the CEO and leadership team on company priorities, and ensures that our capital allocation, risk management, and investor relationships support ZELP’s mission to create a more sustainable future for agriculture.

James Arnold

COO

James has more than 20 years of experience spanning product development, manufacturing, supply chain, and organisational leadership.

After earning a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London and beginning his career at Dyson, he spent a decade in consulting, primarily at McKinsey & Company, before turning his focus to scaling deeptech startups. Since then, James helped scale two of Europe’s deeptech unicorns – Arrival and Lilium – driving both cutting-edge engineering and organisational excellence.

As a hands-on leader, he bridges visionary strategy with practical execution – ensuring continued alignment between our ambitions, our customers’ needs, and the daily actions of our teams.

Jordan McRae

VP of Engineering

As an inventor, engineer, and entrepreneur, Jordan is committed to empowering ZELP’s team of engineers and scientists to develop and scale innovative solutions that address critical challenges in agriculture and climate technology.

With degrees in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from MIT and Stanford, Jordan brings over 20 years of experience building intelligent hardware and software systems for extreme environments. His previous work includes developing ocean and space robotics at MIT and Lockheed Martin Space Systems, co-directing NASA’s Frontier Development Lab, and most recently, delivering an AI-enabled voice communication platform for the world’s largest industrial companies.

Throughout his career, Jordan has focussed on developing and scaling technology to tackle global challenges. His deep product and engineering leadership will help ensure ZELP delivers the solutions needed to create a more sustainable future for agriculture.

Eva Gandhi

Head of People

Eva is a commercially focused HR leader, with a proven track record of building high-performance cultures, designing lean and scalable organisational structures, and establishing robust, future-ready HR functions that enable disciplined, sustainable growth.

Prior to joining ZELP, she held multi-geography, senior roles at Mandara and Titan, both entrepreneurial businesses which she guided through critical stages of their lifecycle—from early-stage growth to large-scale transformation.

Eva brings a strategic, business-first approach to her role and is committed to ensuring ZELP scales with both excellence and mission-driven intent.

Patricio Norris

Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board

 Patricio is an Industrial Engineer with an MBA from Columbia Business School. He brings over 20 years of experience in global commodities markets, specializing in strategy, supply chain, and business development. He is a farm owner and operator in Argentina, running a family business now entering its 5th generation.  

Marcus Remmers

Partner, Novo Holdings
Board Member

Marcus is an experienced investor, focussing on investments in life sciences, biotechnology, and sustainability-driven innovation. He brings over 25 years of global leadership experience across healthcare, animal health, and advanced material

Craig Dalton

Executive & Board Leader, Collaborative Fund
Board Member


Craig is an experienced executive and board member with a background in portfolio strategy, organizational growth, and governance. He has held senior roles in investment and advisory organizations, including portfolio leadership positions supporting high-growth companies.

Andrés Galindo

Chief Trading Officer & Head of Trading, ED&F Man Sugar
Board Member


Andrés brings over two decades of experience in commodities markets, risk management, and international trading. He has worked extensively across North America, Latin America, and Europe, and holds a degree in Industrial Engineering.

Edurado Bolio

Senior Partner & Managing Director Emeritus, McKinsey & Company
Board Member


Eduardo has more than 30 years of experience at McKinsey & Company, where he led major strategic engagements across energy, basic materials, education, operations, and private equity. He has advised leading corporations and institutions throughout the Americas and Europe, and brings deep expertise in strategy, governance, and organizational transformation.

Jean Prevot

Danone Manifesto Ventures 
Board Observer


Jean is a seasoned corporate venture and strategic partnerships professional with a focus on food, agriculture, and technology. He has extensive experience supporting innovation, investment, and collaboration between corporates and high-growth ventures.