Food for Thought: CEOs of Misfits Market, Box, Okta as Economy Shifts

Last week brought one of the most interesting acquisitions I’ve seen in a long time: Misfits Market buying Imperfect Foods.

I find it fascinating for multiple reasons, including the slowing economy, inflation, the challenges in local delivery and the pressure on feel-good companies to prove they’re really doing good things.

Misfits/Imperfect sits at the intersection of all these. In brief: Both companies have missions to provide value from food that otherwise would be discarded or degraded —?think funny-looking but otherwise great-tasting fruits and vegetables, and healthy meats and fish that are left over after the most marketable cuts are packaged. With food prices soaring, there’s more incentive to bring these items to market at a reasonable price. But with investment capital drying up, there’s also pressure on food-industry startups to show a path to profitability, which led Imperfect’s investors to seek a combination with Misfits, a younger company.

I spoke with Misfits CEO Abhi Ramesh about the deal and what’s next. I also spoke with enterprise software founder/CEOs Aaron Levie and Todd McKinnon this week, both of them Fortt Knox alums:

Okta CEO Todd McKinnon on Facing Problems Head On: CNBC Working Lunch

Enterprise software stocks still under pressure after an earnings season that saw more companies report delays in closing deals. This week in?Working Lunch on CNBC’s Power Lunch, I bring you up close with?Okta CEO Todd McKinnon, who says he's learned to be clear when there are problems:

Misfits Market CEO Abhi Ramesh on Acquiring Imperfect Foods

I spoke with?Abhi Ramesh, founder and CEO of Misfits Market, about his company’s merger with rival?Imperfect Foods?and his ongoing efforts to provide affordable, healthy food while fighting food waste:

I spoke with him in a Fortt Knox 1:1 back in July:

Box CEO Aaron Levie on Positioning A Business for Tougher Times

I spoke with?Box CEO Aaron Levie?on?CNBC’s TechCheck?about where enterprise demand remains strong, and how the company is tailoring its cloud-driven content management solutions to specific verticals:

Will iPhone 14 Be A Hit With Investors? On the Other Hand

Apple last week unveiled the iPhone 14 lineup, and largely didn't raise prices despite this year's inflation surge. With?Apple?stock outperforming the market this year until now, will the iPhone 14 be a hit with investors? I argued both sides in the latest?On the Other Hand, on CNBC's Squawk Box:

Check out?The Black Experience in America: The Course, an online educational resource I researched, designed and built.?A free PDF download is available?to bring the material to kids, and?the online interactive experience is made for young people and adults.?You can also take interactive courses at your own pace: