Key Takeaways:
- AgFunder VC closes its fourth early-stage fund at $102 million, surpassing its target.
- The fund’s limited partners (LPs) include GeoBlue AG, Nest, Norichukin Bank, and Alexandria Real Estate.
- Fund IV invests in early-stage companies focused on transforming the food and agriculture industries through deep tech.
- The portfolio includes Atinary Technologies, Nium, Rarebird, KEY, and Aquaconnect.
- AgFunder’s unique research and technology platform supports its portfolio companies and LPs.
AgFunder VC, a venture capital firm specializing in deep tech investments with the potential to impact food and agriculture positively, has announced the closing of its fourth early-stage fund at $102 million, exceeding its target. The firm’s limited partners (LPs) include notable family offices like GeoBlue AG and Nest, and institutions such as Japan’s Norichukin Bank and Alexandria Real Estate.
AgFunder Fund IV Overview
Fund IV aims to invest in early-stage companies capable of transforming the global food and agriculture industries. Over a third of the fund has already been deployed, supporting a diverse portfolio of startups with a focus on deep tech innovations.
Key investments include:
- Atinary Technologies (Switzerland): A no-code AI, self-driving labs platform that accelerates materials discovery by 100x.
- Nium (UK): A nanotechnology company revolutionizing the Haber Bosch process for ammonia production.
- Rarebird, Inc. (California): A jitter-free coffee brand.
- KEY Energy Drink (New York): A beverage powered by ketones.
- Aquaconnect (India): An aquaculture tech and marketplace platform serving over 100,000 farmers.
Unique Support Platform
AgFunder’s portfolio companies and LPs benefit from the firm’s unique research and technology platform. AgFunderNews and AgFunder Research are leading authorities in the sector, while GAIA, AgFunder’s proprietary knowledgebase and AI platform, tracks over 60,000 agtech and foodtech startups and millions of startups in adjacent industries.
AgFunder: Achieving the Impossible
Manuel E. Gonzalez, partner at AgFunder, reflected on the challenges and achievements: “When we were told, ‘You can’t 5x the size of your last fund; you will fail,’ we took it as a challenge. As if the challenge wasn’t tough enough, fate added war in Europe, soaring interest rates, and a banking crisis in Silicon Valley. It was an environment we did not expect, but we achieved what seemed impossible. Our VC platform is like no other, integrating AI, news, and an exceptional team to dive deeper into technologies that drive growth and human progress. That’s what we do at AgFunder VC.”
Recent Growth
The announcement of Fund IV’s closing comes shortly after AgFunder’s acquisition of the $100 million Blue Horizon Growth Fund, bringing the firm’s total assets under management (AUM) to $300 million. This milestone underscores AgFunder’s commitment to driving innovation and progress in the food and agriculture sectors through strategic investments and partnerships.
