Key Takeaways:
- Kudu Investment Management has made a passive, minority investment in Homestead Capital USA LLC.
- Homestead remains majority employee-owned and continues to focus on U.S. farmland investments.
- The partnership aims to accelerate Homestead’s growth in agricultural asset management.
- Kudu’s portfolio includes investments in 30 asset and wealth managers worldwide, managing $128 billion collectively.
What Is the Nature of the Partnership Between Homestead and Kudu?
Homestead Capital, a San Francisco-based asset manager specializing in U.S. farmland investments, has received a minority investment from Kudu Investment Management, a New York-based firm that provides permanent capital solutions to asset and wealth managers.
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Homestead remains majority employee-owned and led by its co-founders and co-CEOs, Daniel Little and Gabe Santos.
What Does Homestead Capital Do?
Founded in 2012, Homestead Capital manages over $1.6 billion in equity and credit assets on behalf of pension plans, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, and family offices. The firm acquires and manages high-quality farmland properties and provides lending services to farmland operators.
Homestead operates in strategic agricultural regions across the United States, including:
- The Pacific and Pacific Northwest.
- The Mountain West.
- The Delta and Midwest regions.
“Our goal is to invest in a diversified platform of U.S. agricultural assets that appeal to a broad group of investors,” said Daniel Little, Co-CEO of Homestead.
How Will This Investment Impact Homestead Capital?
The partnership with Kudu is expected to accelerate Homestead’s growth in the agricultural asset class.
- Growth Opportunities: Homestead aims to expand its investments in farmland and lending activities, supporting small and mid-sized farmers.
- Shared Vision: “We have been looking for a partner with similar values,” said Gabe Santos, Co-CEO of Homestead.
Kudu’s investment reflects confidence in the farmland sector’s growth potential. Charlie Ruffel, Chairman and Managing Partner of Kudu, stated:
“We believe that agricultural assets are poised to grow as investors allocate additional funds to this vital real assets market.”
Who Is Kudu Investment Management?
Founded in 2015, Kudu Investment Management specializes in permanent capital solutions for asset and wealth managers globally. As of September 30, 2024, Kudu’s partner firms manage approximately $128 billion across traditional and alternative investment strategies.
Kudu’s investments span across the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia, supporting a diverse range of asset managers.
