Building the infrastructure industries own
We build the infrastructure industries can't build alone — under industry direction, without vendor lock-in.
Think of us as civil engineers for industry transformation. We lead and translate governance and strategy into buildable, operational systems — under industry direction, on behalf of industry stakeholders. Not the owner. Not the platform. The trusted builder, connector, and navigator.
Built for organizations that shape entire industries
We partner with industry associations, coalitions, and research institutions that need sophisticated multi-stakeholder initiatives led and executed with a serious, experienced partner who has no horse in the race.
You need a PMO, a strategic coordinator, and a technical architect for programs that bring entire industries together — but you cannot run it internally and you will not hand control to a vendor.
That is where TOTEM comes in. We execute under industry direction, on behalf of industry stakeholders. Not the owner. Not the platform. The trusted builder, connector, and navigator.
Organizations that convene stakeholders but need execution capability layer to turn alignment into operational reality.
Multi-stakeholder groups building shared infrastructure where no single organization can own the outcome.
Academic and research bodies bridging practical industry needs with rigorous methodology.
Partners who need senior program or project leadership embedded in their team for a defined period. We offer this selectively.
Industry sets direction. We execute.
Industry associations and coalitions set strategic direction. We provide the execution capability layer that transforms collaboration into operational reality. Just like a civil engineer designs roads and bridges so independent companies can move goods without giving up control, we design and operate shared infrastructure so industries can collaborate effectively.
Industry-led
Initiatives are owned and governed by the stakeholders they serve. We operate at the direction of executive councils and steering committees, not the other way around.
Execution-focused
Strategy without execution is just conversation. We translate collaborative vision into pilots, standards, events, and operational systems that actually work and make an impact.
Built without lock-in
We build infrastructure that protects IP, maintains data sovereignty, and ensures an equitable playing field. Participants can exit, switch, and own their outcomes. No lock-in. No extraction. No dependency on TOTEM.
Agent-powered
We do not just advise on AI strategy — we operate on one. TOTEM runs on an agentic operating model. When we advise on AI governance, we speak from the architecture in which we live.
Active initiatives spanning associations, standards bodies, and research coalitions
These are live initiatives we are executing in partnership with industry governance bodies. Each demonstrates our model: industry sets direction, we provide the execution layer.
Building shared infrastructure and standards for the global fresh produce industry — pilots, governance frameworks, ASTM standards work items, and a replicable model for industry-led transformation.
Learn more"Share information with anyone without sharing it with everyone."
Community-owned data sovereignty infrastructure that prevents vendor lock-in while enabling trust-based collaboration. The bridge doesn't need to know what's in the truck to carry the load.
Learn moreTOTEM's proprietary R&D arm. Building sovereignty-first platforms in agricultural market intelligence and agentic governance infrastructure. We build these platforms the same way we build industry initiatives: participant-owned, no lock-in.
Learn moreWhere TOTEM builds for what comes next
Totem Labs is TOTEM's proprietary research and development arm. We build platforms the same way we build industry initiatives: sovereignty-first, no vendor lock-in, designed for the participants they serve.
Our development work is informed by nearly two decades of building industry infrastructure. We understand what shared systems actually require because we have built them at scale.
We are glad to discuss governance philosophy and development approach with organizations facing similar architectural questions. Details are shared selectively with aligned partners.
Leading organizations across food, agriculture, and technology
Extremely informative and beautifully structured. The professionalism of the Totem team came through in every aspect of the session.
I've been on countless calls over the years, but few working groups come close to this level of engagement and active participation. The Miro board makes it even better, and the facilitation is genuinely exceptional.
After years of industry calls, this working group stands out: the facilitation is thoughtful, the tools are well chosen, and real participation actually happens.
Ready to build something that lasts?
Whether you are an industry association exploring collaborative infrastructure, a coalition needing execution support, or an organization with a complex multi-stakeholder challenge — let us talk.