Beyond Investing
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Founded over 110 years ago from several small agricultural cooperative banks, the Dutch commercial banking group Rabobank has over 10m customers across 47 countries. The banking group’s Rabo Investments vehicle manages Rabo Ventures with a €120m fund investing globally in early-stage fintech and agtech startups. There is also a €30m fund-of-funds to partner with leading VCs in other funding rounds like the $12m funding round of Dutch e-scooter company GO Sharing.The Rabobank Food & Agri Innovation Fund specializes in supporting enterprises involved in creating sustainable solutions for diverse food and agricultural sectors including livestock farms. Rabo F&A Innovation Fund currently has 11 agri-foodtech startups in its portfolio, including participation in a $12m Series A round of Vence, US-based virtual fencing tech company for livestock management.
Founded over 110 years ago from several small agricultural cooperative banks, the Dutch commercial banking group Rabobank has over 10m customers across 47 countries. The banking group’s Rabo Investments vehicle manages Rabo Ventures with a €120m fund investing globally in early-stage fintech and agtech startups. There is also a €30m fund-of-funds to partner with leading VCs in other funding rounds like the $12m funding round of Dutch e-scooter company GO Sharing.The Rabobank Food & Agri Innovation Fund specializes in supporting enterprises involved in creating sustainable solutions for diverse food and agricultural sectors including livestock farms. Rabo F&A Innovation Fund currently has 11 agri-foodtech startups in its portfolio, including participation in a $12m Series A round of Vence, US-based virtual fencing tech company for livestock management.
Based in San Francisco, the Mulago Foundation is a philanthropic foundation designed to carry on the life work of pediatrician Rainer Arnhold who died in 1993 while working in the mountains of Bolivia. He originally set up the Mulago Foundation in 1968, naming it after a hospital in Uganda. His Jewish family, bankers for generations, continued to support the foundation for impact investing across diverse sectors and geographies, with scalable solutions to alleviate poverty.It has invested in 61 companies to date. Successful ventures include: Kenya’s Komaza that raised $28m in its 2020 Series B and Myanmar’s Proximity Finance, a fintech for small-holder farmers that raised $14m in 2020. Komaza helps poor families turn dry land into small-scale, income-generating tree farms, benefiting more than 2m farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Based in San Francisco, the Mulago Foundation is a philanthropic foundation designed to carry on the life work of pediatrician Rainer Arnhold who died in 1993 while working in the mountains of Bolivia. He originally set up the Mulago Foundation in 1968, naming it after a hospital in Uganda. His Jewish family, bankers for generations, continued to support the foundation for impact investing across diverse sectors and geographies, with scalable solutions to alleviate poverty.It has invested in 61 companies to date. Successful ventures include: Kenya’s Komaza that raised $28m in its 2020 Series B and Myanmar’s Proximity Finance, a fintech for small-holder farmers that raised $14m in 2020. Komaza helps poor families turn dry land into small-scale, income-generating tree farms, benefiting more than 2m farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Beijing-based Telescope Investments is a VC/PE firm, investing primarily in consumer, supply chain, education, and healthcare sectors. Telescope is founded by Du Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group. Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group. Telescope is founded by Du Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group.
Beijing-based Telescope Investments is a VC/PE firm, investing primarily in consumer, supply chain, education, and healthcare sectors. Telescope is founded by Du Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group. Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group. Telescope is founded by Du Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group.
Famous techpreneur Li Yinan (b. 1970) is the former CTO of Baidu and former CEO of Wuxian Xunqi, a China Mobile subsidiary. After Li graduated from Huazhong University of Science & Technology with a master’s degree in Optics Engineering, he joined Huawei and was promoted to vice-president of its Central Research Department in just six months; in 1997 Li because the youngest vice-president at Huawei. In 2001, Li quit Huawei and started his own data communication company, Harbour Networks, which followed the same structure of Huawei and soon became its main competitor. In 2005, Harbour Networks lost in its intense battle with Huawei and was acquired by the larger player. Even though Li rejoined Huawei after the acquisition, he was never able to re-enter the core management team because of his damaged relationship with Ren Zhengfei, the founder and president of Huawei. In April 2015, Li founded his smart e-scooter company, NIU Smart Scooters. Li began investing in 2010 and joined GSR Ventures in 2011. Up to June 2015, Li had invested in more than 10 companies from the TMT sector. Li stood trial for insider trading in March 2016, according to news reports.
Famous techpreneur Li Yinan (b. 1970) is the former CTO of Baidu and former CEO of Wuxian Xunqi, a China Mobile subsidiary. After Li graduated from Huazhong University of Science & Technology with a master’s degree in Optics Engineering, he joined Huawei and was promoted to vice-president of its Central Research Department in just six months; in 1997 Li because the youngest vice-president at Huawei. In 2001, Li quit Huawei and started his own data communication company, Harbour Networks, which followed the same structure of Huawei and soon became its main competitor. In 2005, Harbour Networks lost in its intense battle with Huawei and was acquired by the larger player. Even though Li rejoined Huawei after the acquisition, he was never able to re-enter the core management team because of his damaged relationship with Ren Zhengfei, the founder and president of Huawei. In April 2015, Li founded his smart e-scooter company, NIU Smart Scooters. Li began investing in 2010 and joined GSR Ventures in 2011. Up to June 2015, Li had invested in more than 10 companies from the TMT sector. Li stood trial for insider trading in March 2016, according to news reports.
Zhongguancun Longmen Investment
Investing in hi-tech IT, advanced manufacturing and biotechnology sectors – key pillars of China’s innovation-focused economy since 2017 – the Beijing government-backed Beijing Zhongguancun Longmen Investment manages about RMB 10bn via its first fund of the same name. The firm is founded and led by Xu Jinghong, former Chairman of Tsinghua Holdings, the investment and tech/R&D transfer arm of China’s most prestigious science and research university, whose R&D capacity was ranked in the third place of China’s top 500 enterprises in 2018. The LPs of the fund include social security funds, Beijing’s municipal government and the Haidian District government. Its portfolio enterprises are generally ranked in the top three of their respective industries. Among them, Qi An Xin Technology, which is listed in Shanghai and one of China’s biggest cybersecurity companies; Joy Wing Mao, one of China’s major fruits supply chain companies. In October of 2020, it invested RMB 100m into Beijing Immunochina Pharmaceutical, which develops innovative gene and cell therapies for curing malignant tumors. Longmen also provides mentoring and other expertise and support to its investee startups, especially those that plan to seek public listing.
Investing in hi-tech IT, advanced manufacturing and biotechnology sectors – key pillars of China’s innovation-focused economy since 2017 – the Beijing government-backed Beijing Zhongguancun Longmen Investment manages about RMB 10bn via its first fund of the same name. The firm is founded and led by Xu Jinghong, former Chairman of Tsinghua Holdings, the investment and tech/R&D transfer arm of China’s most prestigious science and research university, whose R&D capacity was ranked in the third place of China’s top 500 enterprises in 2018. The LPs of the fund include social security funds, Beijing’s municipal government and the Haidian District government. Its portfolio enterprises are generally ranked in the top three of their respective industries. Among them, Qi An Xin Technology, which is listed in Shanghai and one of China’s biggest cybersecurity companies; Joy Wing Mao, one of China’s major fruits supply chain companies. In October of 2020, it invested RMB 100m into Beijing Immunochina Pharmaceutical, which develops innovative gene and cell therapies for curing malignant tumors. Longmen also provides mentoring and other expertise and support to its investee startups, especially those that plan to seek public listing.
LeapFrog Investments is an impact-focused investor, managing over $1.6bn in assets mainly investing in Africa and Asia. Its “profit with purpose” has led to investments in startups that provide healthcare, financial services and insurance for low-income consumers. Since it was founded in 2007, LeapFrog has attracted funds from Prudential, AXA, Swiss Re and Omidyar Network, becoming the first impact investor in the world to reach the $1bn milestone. It’s headquartered in South Africa and Singapore.LeapFrog is best known for its investments in the insurance sector. One of the most prominent companies in its portfolio is BIMA, the mobile-based insurance provider that has provided coverage in Ghana, Bangladesh, Cambodia and many other countries. In 2020, LeapFrog invested in Indonesian startup PasarPolis, which is a broker for a wide range of microinsurance products. In the healthcare and biotechnology sectors, LeapFrog has funded Indian genetic diagnostics company MedGenome, as well as Goodlife Pharmacy, a Kenyan company providing access to affordable medicine in the East African country.
LeapFrog Investments is an impact-focused investor, managing over $1.6bn in assets mainly investing in Africa and Asia. Its “profit with purpose” has led to investments in startups that provide healthcare, financial services and insurance for low-income consumers. Since it was founded in 2007, LeapFrog has attracted funds from Prudential, AXA, Swiss Re and Omidyar Network, becoming the first impact investor in the world to reach the $1bn milestone. It’s headquartered in South Africa and Singapore.LeapFrog is best known for its investments in the insurance sector. One of the most prominent companies in its portfolio is BIMA, the mobile-based insurance provider that has provided coverage in Ghana, Bangladesh, Cambodia and many other countries. In 2020, LeapFrog invested in Indonesian startup PasarPolis, which is a broker for a wide range of microinsurance products. In the healthcare and biotechnology sectors, LeapFrog has funded Indian genetic diagnostics company MedGenome, as well as Goodlife Pharmacy, a Kenyan company providing access to affordable medicine in the East African country.
Early-stage-focused VC firm with a €24m first fund mainly investing in B2B and B2C digital startups headquartered in Spain. Initial investment amounts range between €70,000 and €300,000, and followup investment amounts go up to €1m per company. Describing themselves as “momentum investors” seeking quick time-to-market projects, Encomenda Smart Capital was founded in 2017 and managed by renowned Spanish angel investors Carlos Blanco, Oriol Juncosa and Miguel Sanz Sanchez, along with a network of angel investors Encomenda supports the growth of startups' portfolios and helps startups to scale at national and international levels. Encomenda invests 30% in SaaS and in projects with a recurring income model; 20% are fintech, and they also bet on the human resources, edtech and healthcare. Just two out of 25 investments have folded up between 2017 and 2020, with half the fund monies committed. Encomenda is seeking to launch a second fund in 2022 focusing on Spanish and Portuguese startups, of €40m–€50m, and multi-stage, by starting in the early-stage investments, with follow-through investments in subsequent stages.
Early-stage-focused VC firm with a €24m first fund mainly investing in B2B and B2C digital startups headquartered in Spain. Initial investment amounts range between €70,000 and €300,000, and followup investment amounts go up to €1m per company. Describing themselves as “momentum investors” seeking quick time-to-market projects, Encomenda Smart Capital was founded in 2017 and managed by renowned Spanish angel investors Carlos Blanco, Oriol Juncosa and Miguel Sanz Sanchez, along with a network of angel investors Encomenda supports the growth of startups' portfolios and helps startups to scale at national and international levels. Encomenda invests 30% in SaaS and in projects with a recurring income model; 20% are fintech, and they also bet on the human resources, edtech and healthcare. Just two out of 25 investments have folded up between 2017 and 2020, with half the fund monies committed. Encomenda is seeking to launch a second fund in 2022 focusing on Spanish and Portuguese startups, of €40m–€50m, and multi-stage, by starting in the early-stage investments, with follow-through investments in subsequent stages.
Tony Fadell is the inventor of the iPod, co-inventor of the iPhone, and former CEO and founder of Nest Labs, which was later acquired by Google. He is also an angel investor and head of Paris-based deeptech advisory and investing firm Future Shape, which has over 200 companies in its portfolio and a focus on issues like the electrification and digital connection of things, biomanufacturing and the eradication of waste. Fadell has invested in at least 10 startups, with his most recent disclosed investments having taken place in 4Q20. These included his participation in the $7m seed round of London-based consumer technology and conceptual design house Nothing, the $45m Series B round of US biotech firm and vegan leather maker MycoWorks, well as the $31m Series A round of video call effects and presentation tools company mmhmm.
Tony Fadell is the inventor of the iPod, co-inventor of the iPhone, and former CEO and founder of Nest Labs, which was later acquired by Google. He is also an angel investor and head of Paris-based deeptech advisory and investing firm Future Shape, which has over 200 companies in its portfolio and a focus on issues like the electrification and digital connection of things, biomanufacturing and the eradication of waste. Fadell has invested in at least 10 startups, with his most recent disclosed investments having taken place in 4Q20. These included his participation in the $7m seed round of London-based consumer technology and conceptual design house Nothing, the $45m Series B round of US biotech firm and vegan leather maker MycoWorks, well as the $31m Series A round of video call effects and presentation tools company mmhmm.
Future Positive Capital is a Paris-based VC with a second office in London. Its investments cover deep-technology companies applying AI, biotechnology, synthetic biology, as well as robotics. Co-funded in 2016 by ex-Index Ventures associate Sofia Hmich along with Alexandre Terrien and Michael Rosen; it has made 18 investments to date. In 2019 Future Positive raised over $57m pan-European impact investment fund, claiming that most European VCs are continuing to staying focused on sectors, such as consumer, fintech, and marketing, or web and mobile technologies. Future Positive’s belief is that there is instead, a long-tail of investment opportunities to back businesses that actually tackle “the world’s most pressing problems”.Through this fund, it will back throughout Seed and Series A stages, with the possibility to follow up on Series B investing between around €300,000 and €5m. Since then the company has backed startups in the like of BioBeats, an AI company focused on preventative mental health, cell-based startup Meatable, and more recently NotCo, the Chilean unicorn disrupting the food and beverage sector with AI-enabled plant-based products.The team counts on an extensive network of mentors, innovators, impact angel investors and entrepreneurs such as F1 pilots Nico Rosberg, the MD of Alibaba France Sebastien Badault, the Omid Ashtari the President of Citymapper amongst others.
Future Positive Capital is a Paris-based VC with a second office in London. Its investments cover deep-technology companies applying AI, biotechnology, synthetic biology, as well as robotics. Co-funded in 2016 by ex-Index Ventures associate Sofia Hmich along with Alexandre Terrien and Michael Rosen; it has made 18 investments to date. In 2019 Future Positive raised over $57m pan-European impact investment fund, claiming that most European VCs are continuing to staying focused on sectors, such as consumer, fintech, and marketing, or web and mobile technologies. Future Positive’s belief is that there is instead, a long-tail of investment opportunities to back businesses that actually tackle “the world’s most pressing problems”.Through this fund, it will back throughout Seed and Series A stages, with the possibility to follow up on Series B investing between around €300,000 and €5m. Since then the company has backed startups in the like of BioBeats, an AI company focused on preventative mental health, cell-based startup Meatable, and more recently NotCo, the Chilean unicorn disrupting the food and beverage sector with AI-enabled plant-based products.The team counts on an extensive network of mentors, innovators, impact angel investors and entrepreneurs such as F1 pilots Nico Rosberg, the MD of Alibaba France Sebastien Badault, the Omid Ashtari the President of Citymapper amongst others.
Co-founded by Fabrice Grinder, a French tech entrepreneur and former consultant at McKinsey & Company, FJ Labs is a New York-based VC firm focused on online marketplaces. Co-founder Jose Marin is based in London. With the mantra “Entrepreneurs funding entrepreneurs,” FJ Labs does not take board seats. It has backed over 500 entrepreneurs, built over 20 companies and managed dozens of exits.To date, 58% of its investment portfolio companies are based in the US and Canada (mostly the US), 25% in Europe, 6% in Brazil, 2% in India and 9% in other countries. The VC is also increasing its presence in Brazil and India, as well as looking at smaller markets in Columbia, Algeria and Kenya. FJ Labs currently has 488 active investments, mainly at seed and pre-seed level, typically investing $390,000 at seed level and $220,000 at pre-seed level. Recent investments in August 2021 include participation in the $8m Series A round of Brazilian corporate benefits marketplace Caju and the $23m funding round of Nigerian vehicle marketplace and financing startup Moove.
Co-founded by Fabrice Grinder, a French tech entrepreneur and former consultant at McKinsey & Company, FJ Labs is a New York-based VC firm focused on online marketplaces. Co-founder Jose Marin is based in London. With the mantra “Entrepreneurs funding entrepreneurs,” FJ Labs does not take board seats. It has backed over 500 entrepreneurs, built over 20 companies and managed dozens of exits.To date, 58% of its investment portfolio companies are based in the US and Canada (mostly the US), 25% in Europe, 6% in Brazil, 2% in India and 9% in other countries. The VC is also increasing its presence in Brazil and India, as well as looking at smaller markets in Columbia, Algeria and Kenya. FJ Labs currently has 488 active investments, mainly at seed and pre-seed level, typically investing $390,000 at seed level and $220,000 at pre-seed level. Recent investments in August 2021 include participation in the $8m Series A round of Brazilian corporate benefits marketplace Caju and the $23m funding round of Nigerian vehicle marketplace and financing startup Moove.
Waheed Ali became a Labour life peer and Baron of Norbury at aged 33, the youngest to join the House of Lords in 1998. He is also one of the few openly gay Muslim politicians in the world and a gay rights activist. Waheed Ali left school and started work in financial research at the age of 16 to support his mother and siblings. He moved on to a media career by co-founding an independent television company Planet 24 with Bob Geldof during the 1990s, pioneering TV reality shows like Survivor. Planet 24 was sold to ITV franchisee Carlton Communications in 1999 for £15m. He also backed Elizabeth Murdoch’s TV production company Shine that was sold to her father, Rupert Murdoch’s media group, 21st Century Fox. Of Guyana and Trinidad descent, the well-known British media tycoon is also a businessman and investor. In 2011, he lost millions by investing in loss-making Chorion that owned the Agatha Christie literary rights. He formed a television production company Silvergate Media to acquire the rights to several Chorion TV series like Beatrix Potter. As an investor, he became the chairman of online fashion marketplace ASOS for 12 years until 2012. He later founded the “ASOS of India,” Koovs that was listed in London in 2014. Most recently, he joined the Series B funding round of London-based zero-food-waste app OLIO in September 2021.
Waheed Ali became a Labour life peer and Baron of Norbury at aged 33, the youngest to join the House of Lords in 1998. He is also one of the few openly gay Muslim politicians in the world and a gay rights activist. Waheed Ali left school and started work in financial research at the age of 16 to support his mother and siblings. He moved on to a media career by co-founding an independent television company Planet 24 with Bob Geldof during the 1990s, pioneering TV reality shows like Survivor. Planet 24 was sold to ITV franchisee Carlton Communications in 1999 for £15m. He also backed Elizabeth Murdoch’s TV production company Shine that was sold to her father, Rupert Murdoch’s media group, 21st Century Fox. Of Guyana and Trinidad descent, the well-known British media tycoon is also a businessman and investor. In 2011, he lost millions by investing in loss-making Chorion that owned the Agatha Christie literary rights. He formed a television production company Silvergate Media to acquire the rights to several Chorion TV series like Beatrix Potter. As an investor, he became the chairman of online fashion marketplace ASOS for 12 years until 2012. He later founded the “ASOS of India,” Koovs that was listed in London in 2014. Most recently, he joined the Series B funding round of London-based zero-food-waste app OLIO in September 2021.
Dao Foods: Grooming and betting on China's rising alternative protein startups
How can businesses involve Chinese consumers in the environmental cause, even if it isn’t a priority for them? For that, the impact investor-incubator Dao Foods has got its philosophy-led strategy figured out
Alpha JWC Ventures bets on Indonesian fintech, analytics startups for big impact
A commitment to mentoring and supporting its portfolio companies also lies at the core of its business
New Food Invest: Plant-based cheese, the next investment boom?
With alt-protein startups experiencing a global funding boom, industry experts and investors share their views about emerging trends in diverse food sectors
Ajaib targets millennials with easy-to-use investment app
Y Combinator alumnus Ajaib recently acquired a local brokerage to add stock trading to its products
Tiger Brokers: At the right place, at the right time
China’s new middle-class elite is educated and tech-savvy – and they want to put their money in US stocks. A fintech app is cashing in on this
Meituan-Dianping’s Wang Xing: From struggling copycat to IPO billionaire
As the internet startup sets to list in Hong Kong this week, we take a look back at the journey of its founder Wang Xing, once dubbed “the unluckiest serial entrepreneur”
Les Nouveaux Affineurs: Disrupting centuries-old French cheese culture
Backed by Michelin-star chefs and investors, Les Noveaux Affineurs is gearing up to be a global player in the billion-dollar vegan cheese market
Bob Xu, one of China's first and most successful angel investors
Known for his whimsical investment style, Xu has caught a number of unicorns
Beyond ride-hailing: Gojek, Grab and all their friends
Now that Grab and Go-Jek are in a faceoff on a regional scale, here's a look at how Southeast Asia's two biggest unicorns – and their investors – could be shaping the local digital economies and startup ecosystems
Patamar Capital’s impact investing: On preferred business model, backing women, Mapan
The pioneer in impact investing in Asia gives us the lowdown on its investment criteria, its new focus on women entrepreneurs and related sectors, how it helps its portfolio companies and more
Spotahome CTO: Room for more real estate disruption, beyond rentals
Bryan McEire, CTO and co-founder of the Spanish proptech startup, details their expansion plans this year and more, in a wide-ranging interview
Dronak looks beyond the skies to a future of robotics
Dronak CEO Fabia Silva wants to make the world a better place through robotics innovation, but needs funding so the company can spread its tech wings past drones
Onesight: Construction remote management tech amid Covid-19 and beyond
Architects, site managers and engineers avoid costly fixes and delays using Onesight’s building information modeling (BIM) apps to create full-scale 3D building models, spot errors
SWITCH Singapore: VCs urge startups to think beyond Covid-19
VCs also discuss prospects of a current tech bubble, and whether new working and hiring practices sparked by the pandemic could end Silicon Valley dominance
HighPitch 2020: Hydroponics, EV startups PanenBali and Manouv represent Denpasar chapter
Renewable energy and sustainability focuses impress investors, who also caution startups about competitors from outside their region
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