Key Takeaways:
- Trailhead Capital has closed its inaugural fund, Trailhead Capital Regeneration Fund I, with total commitments of approximately $50 million.
- The fund has already backed 22 companies and has received support from a global base of investors, including agricultural firms and foundations.
- The fund aims to invest in early-stage companies offering tech-enabled solutions to expand regenerative agriculture practices and products.
- Trailhead Capital is a Certified B Corp managed by Managing Partners Mark Lewis and Pete Oberle.
- The fund targets Seed and Series A investments in innovative companies spanning the entire food value chain.
Trailhead Capital, a Boulder-based mission-driven venture capital firm, has announced the closing of its inaugural fund, Trailhead Capital Regeneration Fund I, with total commitments of approximately $50 million. The fund aims to invest in early-stage companies offering tech-enabled solutions to expand regenerative agriculture practices and products.
Strong Investor Support
The fund was oversubscribed and received support from a diverse group of global investors, including agricultural firms like McDonald Pelz and the Rodale Institute, foundations such as The Argosy Foundation, Cisco Foundation, and the Zero Gap Fund, as well as climate-focused funds-of-funds like the Wire Group and WovenEarth Ventures.
Focus on Regenerative Agriculture
Bobby Pelz Jr., Founding Partner of Trailhead, emphasized the importance of regenerative food and agriculture for the future. “Having been in the grain industry for 45 years, it is clear to me that regenerative food and agriculture is a major component of our future, and we are here to help drive its wider adoption,” he said.
Transforming the Food System
Pete Oberle, Trailhead Managing Partner, noted that regenerative agriculture has the potential to transform the food industry from a primary carbon source to a massive carbon sink. “Spurred by the convergence of tech progress and consumer demand, accelerating corporate commitments, government funding, and investment dollars indicate improved recognition of that potential,” he added.
A Leading Role in Transition
Sunit Shah, Director of Innovative Finance at The Rockefeller Foundation, believes Trailhead will lead the transition toward a regenerative food system by supporting the necessary entrepreneurs and technologies.
Photo by Luke Thornton on UnsplashÂ