Agrifood tech investor Astanor Ventures has closed its second venture fund at €360 million.
This latest closing tops Astanor’s existing various funds and special purpose vehicles altogether amounting to circa €800 million assets under management. The company said that, despite fluctuating market trends, the sectors of agrifood tech and bioeconomy at large remain intrinsically captivating and ripe for innovation, especially with the renewed global attention on the climate crisis and an increased demand for sustainable options.
Astanor said it remains committed to its core investment strategy of supporting early-stage and mission-driven companies that have identified a social or environmental issue and have developed a nature-positive solution to resolve it. The agrifood value chain is a complex and interdependent sector, requiring investors to take a holistic view to achieve system change. Astanor has developed a network of entrepreneurs, experts, scientists, leaders, and policy makers to identify the innovative technologies that will drive the bioeconomy, with a specific emphasis on solutions that foster regenerative agriculture. Thanks to this ecosystem, Astanor invested in more than 45 promising companies and mission-driven founders all over the world. This focus aligns with Astanor’s core values of climate transition, nature positivity, resource efficiency, and the betterment of social and health outcomes.
“We are thrilled to share the successful closing of our second venture fund and prove that among a continuously changing environment and economy, Astanor is here to stay,” said Eric Archambeau, co-founder and partner of Astanor.
“When looking at new companies to invest in, our approach will continue to always look for highly disruptive and scalable business models, driven by ambitious entrepreneurs who also share our vision of sustainable and resilient agrifood and bioeconomy systems.”
“As we witness the ever-evolving landscape of the agrifood market, it becomes increasingly evident that innovation is not an option but a necessity. The challenges we face today, from climate change to resource scarcity, demand a transformation in how we produce, distribute, and consume food. Astanor Ventures is dedicated to playing a pivotal role in this transformation by supporting visionary entrepreneurs who are redefining the future of agrifood, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient global food system.” said Hendrik Van Asbroeck, partner at Astanor Ventures.
“We are deeply grateful for the trust and confidence our investors have placed in us,” added Christina Ulardic, partner at Astanor Ventures.
“This fundraise allows us to amplify our impact and catalyze innovative solutions that transcend traditional boundaries. We remain committed to supporting entrepreneurs who are pioneering advancements that will shape the future of food and agriculture for a thriving bioeconomy.”
“At Astanor Ventures, we firmly believe that the agrifood sector holds the key to tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and human health.” said Leslie Kapin, director of impact at Astanor Ventures.
“Our second fund’s successful closure reaffirms our conviction in this vision and our unwavering dedication to catalysing systemic change within the industry. As an impact investor, it is core to our mission to scale our companies with both impact and ESG as both are necessary to achieve sustainable and resilient agrifood and bioeconomy systems.”
Jim Cornall is editor of Future Food Today and publisher at Ayr Coastal Media. He is an award-winning writer, editor, photographer, broadcaster, designer and author. Contact Jim here.
