Future Food Fund, a Dutch specialist food and agri venture capital fund, announced the first close of its second fund, FFF II, at €20M.
Impact-driven entrepreneurs, family offices as well as renowned institutions such as Wageningen University & Research, and regional development agencies Oost NL and NOM, participate in the fund.
The Dutch VC also revealed that three investments have already been completed.
“Investing in agrifood tech is the quickest way to positively impact the transformation of our food systems, we see it as our responsibility to contribute to that,” says Peter Arensman of the Future Food Fund
The Future Food Fund is expecting to close the second and final close at €50M in the summer of 2023.
Founded in 2018, Future Food Fund’s first fund has invested in 10 Dutch food & agri startups such as NoPalm, Soilwise, and Sensoterra.
Improving the food system
The current food system contributes significantly to the emission of greenhouse gases, causing almost 25 per cent of climate change.
Furthermore, it is the primary factor responsible for biodiversity loss, land-use alteration, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, and freshwater depletion.
To maintain the stability of our planet, it is vital to remain within the planetary boundaries.
Achieving this goal requires a collective effort from governments, industries, and consumers.
Here’s where FFF-II comes into play.
FFF-II with international impact framework
With the latest funds, Future Food Fund intends to focus on Seed and Series-A companies in Western Europe that are working towards changing the food and agriculture value chain.
The fund has an international impact framework in place, aimed at promoting transformation in pressing food and agriculture themes such as smart farming, regenerative agriculture, bio-based ingredients, and alternative proteins.
The Investor
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is active in the domains of sustainable food production, healthy food & living, and the social and natural living environment.
Over 7,200 employees, 13,200 students, and over 150.000 participants work everywhere around the world, contributing to the global challenges, surrounding food security, biodiversity, and climate.
Sebastiaan Berendse of WUR says, “WUR is working with Future Food Fund to foster the growth of startups and encourage groundbreaking innovation. For all agrifood startups, including Wageningen spin-offs, venture capital is crucial to develop their innovations.”
“The fund’s network helps them achieve their social and sustainable goals. By actually bringing products to market, they can accelerate transitions and increase impact,” he adds.
Oost NL is the development agency of the East Netherlands. It works for a social mission – to
contribute to the necessary transitions for a sustainable and healthy future.
“The investment strategy of FFF fits in seamlessly with the ambition of Oost NL to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and healthy food system. FFF has already invested in companies in the East of the Netherlands, such as No Palm Ingredients and Pectcof. With this second fund, more opportunities arise for impact-driven startups,” says Berg de Bleecker of Oost NL.
NOM is an investment and development agency for the Northern Netherlands that stimulates economic activity and the development of employment in the Northern Netherlands.
“The Dutch agrifood tech sector needs funds that play a role in the early phase. For that reason, Oost NL and NOM support FFF, so that the venture capital landscape in NL is further strengthened,” says Ruud van Dijk of NOM
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