Concept Investments
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Lever VC was founded in 2018 by Nick Cooney, an early investor of Beyond Meat and Memphis Meats. He is also the co-founder of Good Food Institute. Lever has currently invested in 14 startups from the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America.Focused on investments in early-stage alternative protein companies, the firm announced the first close of its Lever VC Fund I in August 2020, with its fourth close at $46m in April 2021. The final close will be completed by June 2021. Investors in the fund include NFL and NBA athletes, British nobility, food businesses, alt-protein companies and family offices as limited partners.In June 2020, Lever launched a $28m joint investment fund and accelerator to invest in Chinese plant-based and cell-cultivated meat and dairy companies. The Lever China Alternative Protein Fund will invest RMB 40m in alt-protein companies in mainland China over the next four years.
Lever VC was founded in 2018 by Nick Cooney, an early investor of Beyond Meat and Memphis Meats. He is also the co-founder of Good Food Institute. Lever has currently invested in 14 startups from the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America.Focused on investments in early-stage alternative protein companies, the firm announced the first close of its Lever VC Fund I in August 2020, with its fourth close at $46m in April 2021. The final close will be completed by June 2021. Investors in the fund include NFL and NBA athletes, British nobility, food businesses, alt-protein companies and family offices as limited partners.In June 2020, Lever launched a $28m joint investment fund and accelerator to invest in Chinese plant-based and cell-cultivated meat and dairy companies. The Lever China Alternative Protein Fund will invest RMB 40m in alt-protein companies in mainland China over the next four years.
Based in San Mateo California, KBW Ventures was founded by HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud. The asset management firm’s CEO is also the chairman of KBW Investments that was founded in 2013 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).KBW Ventures is part of the KBW Group and mainly invests in companies involved in sustainable food, artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies and fintech. In 2019, the VC had already invested in 24 companies in sectors like e-gaming, drones, e-commerce and plant-based proteins. Recently, it also increased its stakes in two Californian biotechs BlueNalu and TurtleTree Labs. The aim is to open up the Middle East markets to global tech companies.
Based in San Mateo California, KBW Ventures was founded by HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud. The asset management firm’s CEO is also the chairman of KBW Investments that was founded in 2013 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).KBW Ventures is part of the KBW Group and mainly invests in companies involved in sustainable food, artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies and fintech. In 2019, the VC had already invested in 24 companies in sectors like e-gaming, drones, e-commerce and plant-based proteins. Recently, it also increased its stakes in two Californian biotechs BlueNalu and TurtleTree Labs. The aim is to open up the Middle East markets to global tech companies.
Norfund is the sovereign investment fund of Norway, established by the parliament in 1997 and owned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The company has committed NOK 28.4bn in investments into 170 projects in developing countries as of 2020. Norfund has regional offices in Thailand, Costa Rica, Kenya, Mozambique and Ghana to support its activities in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In Asia, its core investment targets are Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Norfund primarily invests in three key areas: clean energy, agriculture and fintech. The fund has invested in solar power projects and various food companies in India and various African countries. In Asia, Norfund has invested in Amartha, an Indonesian P2P lending fintech company providing loans to women-led microbusinesses. Norfund also invests in other venture funds, such as Southeast Asia-focused Openspace Ventures Fund III, to expand and diversify their portfolio.
Norfund is the sovereign investment fund of Norway, established by the parliament in 1997 and owned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The company has committed NOK 28.4bn in investments into 170 projects in developing countries as of 2020. Norfund has regional offices in Thailand, Costa Rica, Kenya, Mozambique and Ghana to support its activities in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In Asia, its core investment targets are Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Norfund primarily invests in three key areas: clean energy, agriculture and fintech. The fund has invested in solar power projects and various food companies in India and various African countries. In Asia, Norfund has invested in Amartha, an Indonesian P2P lending fintech company providing loans to women-led microbusinesses. Norfund also invests in other venture funds, such as Southeast Asia-focused Openspace Ventures Fund III, to expand and diversify their portfolio.
German-born Andreas “Andy” Bechtolsheim is chairman and co-founder of Arista Networks and was a co-founder at Sun Microsystems, which was acquired by Oracle in 2010 for $7.4bn. His main interest is in productivity software across market segments, as well as cybersecurity. He is also a billionaire investor, with much of his wealth coming from being the first angel investor in Google. Since then, he has been an occasional investor in startups, with his most recent disclosed investments occurring in 2020 when he invested in two companies. He has also participated in the $22m Series A round of US email security company Material Security and in the $21m Series A round of AI customer service platform Cresta.
German-born Andreas “Andy” Bechtolsheim is chairman and co-founder of Arista Networks and was a co-founder at Sun Microsystems, which was acquired by Oracle in 2010 for $7.4bn. His main interest is in productivity software across market segments, as well as cybersecurity. He is also a billionaire investor, with much of his wealth coming from being the first angel investor in Google. Since then, he has been an occasional investor in startups, with his most recent disclosed investments occurring in 2020 when he invested in two companies. He has also participated in the $22m Series A round of US email security company Material Security and in the $21m Series A round of AI customer service platform Cresta.
Google co-founder Larry Page is controlling shareholder of Alphabet Inc, Google’s parent company. As of June 2021, Page’s net worth was $106.2bn, making him the sixth richest person in the world. To date, he has made disclosed investments in five tech companies. The two most recent were both in 2016: an undisclosed quantum of investment in US-based electric personal aircraft startup Kitty Hawk Corporation, as well as participation in space mining company Planetary Resources’ $21m Series A round.
Google co-founder Larry Page is controlling shareholder of Alphabet Inc, Google’s parent company. As of June 2021, Page’s net worth was $106.2bn, making him the sixth richest person in the world. To date, he has made disclosed investments in five tech companies. The two most recent were both in 2016: an undisclosed quantum of investment in US-based electric personal aircraft startup Kitty Hawk Corporation, as well as participation in space mining company Planetary Resources’ $21m Series A round.
Owen van Natta was formerly COO of Facebook and CEO of MySpace, and also previously held senior positions in Amazon and Zynga. He is an angel investor, founder of 415 LLC as well as a founding partner of tech-focused VC firm Prefix Capital, and has invested in a number of startups to date. His disclosed investments include participation in the March 2017 $800,000 seed round of Irish water regulatory platform SwiftComply and the November 2015 undisclosed funding round of US-based unicorn Diamond Foundry, the first certified carbon-neutral lab-produced diamond manufacturer. No pic on SM
Owen van Natta was formerly COO of Facebook and CEO of MySpace, and also previously held senior positions in Amazon and Zynga. He is an angel investor, founder of 415 LLC as well as a founding partner of tech-focused VC firm Prefix Capital, and has invested in a number of startups to date. His disclosed investments include participation in the March 2017 $800,000 seed round of Irish water regulatory platform SwiftComply and the November 2015 undisclosed funding round of US-based unicorn Diamond Foundry, the first certified carbon-neutral lab-produced diamond manufacturer. No pic on SM
American investment capital firm Farallon Capital Management was established in 1986. The company manages equity capital for institutions, including college endowments, charitable foundations and pension plans, and funds for high net worth individuals. While most of its investments are in risk arbitrage and debt restructuring, it has also invested in startups across different verticals, such as Indonesian ride-hailing firm Gojek and a host of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical technology companies.Farallon’s history with Indonesia began long before Gojek came into existence. In 2002, Farallon bought a controlling stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA), an Indonesian bank, during a time when investors avoided Indonesian banks that had been saddled with bad debt. With the controlling stake, Farallon installed a new bank chairman and reformed BCA. Over the next four years Farallon slowly divested in BCA and finally sold the remaining 4% stake in 2006 to earn a profit.
American investment capital firm Farallon Capital Management was established in 1986. The company manages equity capital for institutions, including college endowments, charitable foundations and pension plans, and funds for high net worth individuals. While most of its investments are in risk arbitrage and debt restructuring, it has also invested in startups across different verticals, such as Indonesian ride-hailing firm Gojek and a host of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical technology companies.Farallon’s history with Indonesia began long before Gojek came into existence. In 2002, Farallon bought a controlling stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA), an Indonesian bank, during a time when investors avoided Indonesian banks that had been saddled with bad debt. With the controlling stake, Farallon installed a new bank chairman and reformed BCA. Over the next four years Farallon slowly divested in BCA and finally sold the remaining 4% stake in 2006 to earn a profit.
Entrepreneur First is a global entrepreneur incubator program and early-startup investor. The incubator is an intensive six-month program for founders and aspiring entrepreneurs to help them develop ideas that can go into building their own companies. The program is held in six cities around the world: Bangalore; Berlin, London, Paris, Singapore and Toronto (Canada).Participants do not need to have a startup or a specific business idea to participate, and those who have established their own companies can seek partners or co-founders at the program. Roughly 40-50% of the cohort reach the “Launch” phase, where the participants have established their own companies and received investments from Entrepreneur First and potentially other VCs. Entrepreneur First can invest in a startup built by program participants in exchange for 10% equity. The exact amount invested varies: £80,000 for the European programs; S$75,000 for the Singapore and Bangalore programs; and C$100,000 for the Canada program.
Entrepreneur First is a global entrepreneur incubator program and early-startup investor. The incubator is an intensive six-month program for founders and aspiring entrepreneurs to help them develop ideas that can go into building their own companies. The program is held in six cities around the world: Bangalore; Berlin, London, Paris, Singapore and Toronto (Canada).Participants do not need to have a startup or a specific business idea to participate, and those who have established their own companies can seek partners or co-founders at the program. Roughly 40-50% of the cohort reach the “Launch” phase, where the participants have established their own companies and received investments from Entrepreneur First and potentially other VCs. Entrepreneur First can invest in a startup built by program participants in exchange for 10% equity. The exact amount invested varies: £80,000 for the European programs; S$75,000 for the Singapore and Bangalore programs; and C$100,000 for the Canada program.
Founded in San Francisco in 2009, Eniac Ventures is an early-stage investor in diverse sectors. It currently has 59 startups in its portolio. The vast majority of its exits have been via acquisitions by larger companies such as Anchor sold to Spotify. The VC also invested in Airbnb and Medallia that went public in 2020 and 2019 respectively.Recent investments in June 2021 include co-leading the $4.2m seed round of US mental healthcare platform Nirvana Health and participation in the $30m Series B round of Briq, a US financial planning and workflow automation platform for the construction industry. The VC also joined in the Series A round of Vence, the California-based producer of smart wearables for livestock management.
Founded in San Francisco in 2009, Eniac Ventures is an early-stage investor in diverse sectors. It currently has 59 startups in its portolio. The vast majority of its exits have been via acquisitions by larger companies such as Anchor sold to Spotify. The VC also invested in Airbnb and Medallia that went public in 2020 and 2019 respectively.Recent investments in June 2021 include co-leading the $4.2m seed round of US mental healthcare platform Nirvana Health and participation in the $30m Series B round of Briq, a US financial planning and workflow automation platform for the construction industry. The VC also joined in the Series A round of Vence, the California-based producer of smart wearables for livestock management.
Silicon Valley-based Almaz Capital was co-founded in 2008 as a bridge VC fund by Alexander Galitsky, a serial techpreneur and former senior executive at the Soviet Space Agency and Defense Industry. Almaz also has an office in Berlin and partners with interests in the UK, Poland and Ukraine. The global fund has invested in over 30 startups and managed 15 exits within its portfolio.Recent investments in 2021 include co-leading the $54m Series B round of Refurbed with Evli Growth Partners in August. Almaz was also the lead investor for the $6m funding round for US-based precision audio software Sonarworks in July.
Silicon Valley-based Almaz Capital was co-founded in 2008 as a bridge VC fund by Alexander Galitsky, a serial techpreneur and former senior executive at the Soviet Space Agency and Defense Industry. Almaz also has an office in Berlin and partners with interests in the UK, Poland and Ukraine. The global fund has invested in over 30 startups and managed 15 exits within its portfolio.Recent investments in 2021 include co-leading the $54m Series B round of Refurbed with Evli Growth Partners in August. Almaz was also the lead investor for the $6m funding round for US-based precision audio software Sonarworks in July.
New York-based VC firm Union Square Ventures (USV) was established in 2004 and has invested in more than 100 companies to date. It manages US$1.7bn in assets across nine funds. The most recent, totaling US$450m in commitments, was launched in 2019. USV invests across multiple sectors and all stages of investment. Its specific interest, however, is in businesses derived from academic theses. USV is a prolific investor: recent investments include blockchain-based gaming company Dapper Labs' US$11m Series A round and B2B loan marketplace C2FO's US$200m Series G round.
New York-based VC firm Union Square Ventures (USV) was established in 2004 and has invested in more than 100 companies to date. It manages US$1.7bn in assets across nine funds. The most recent, totaling US$450m in commitments, was launched in 2019. USV invests across multiple sectors and all stages of investment. Its specific interest, however, is in businesses derived from academic theses. USV is a prolific investor: recent investments include blockchain-based gaming company Dapper Labs' US$11m Series A round and B2B loan marketplace C2FO's US$200m Series G round.
The investment arm of Taikang Insurance Group, Taikang Asset Management (Taikang Asset) manages RMB 1.9tn worth of assets, including RMB 1.1tn third-party assets, RMB 420bn alternative investment and RMB 440bn pension funds as of June 2020. Investments are mainly in infrastructure sectors such as transportation, energy, utilities, environmental protection, telecoms and real estate.Taikang Asset is an important platform for Taikang Insurance Group to carry out global business. In November 2007, its wholly-owned unit Hong Kong was set up and has received licenses from the Hong Kong stock exchange for businesses including securities dealing, advisory and asset management. In September 2016, Taikang Asset founded Taikang Asset (Beijing), a new equity investment platform, and raised RMB 2bn for its Phase I Industrial Development Fund by May 2017. Apart from managing and utilizing self-owned and insurance capital, the company manages assets for clients and provides advice on asset management. It also issues public security investment funds among other asset management businesses.
The investment arm of Taikang Insurance Group, Taikang Asset Management (Taikang Asset) manages RMB 1.9tn worth of assets, including RMB 1.1tn third-party assets, RMB 420bn alternative investment and RMB 440bn pension funds as of June 2020. Investments are mainly in infrastructure sectors such as transportation, energy, utilities, environmental protection, telecoms and real estate.Taikang Asset is an important platform for Taikang Insurance Group to carry out global business. In November 2007, its wholly-owned unit Hong Kong was set up and has received licenses from the Hong Kong stock exchange for businesses including securities dealing, advisory and asset management. In September 2016, Taikang Asset founded Taikang Asset (Beijing), a new equity investment platform, and raised RMB 2bn for its Phase I Industrial Development Fund by May 2017. Apart from managing and utilizing self-owned and insurance capital, the company manages assets for clients and provides advice on asset management. It also issues public security investment funds among other asset management businesses.
Kaszek Ventures is an Argentinian VC co-founded in 2011 by Hernan Kazah and Nicolas Szekasy, both hailing from Latin America’s e-commerce success story MercadoLibre. Starting with $95m, the VC made its first investment in Brazilian fintech, Nubank. The VC now has over 159 investments and has managed 21 exits. It mainly focuses on B2C solutions, mobile, healthcare technology, retail and media.The most recent Kaszek investment is in Latin America’s leading crypto platform Bitso, co-leading Bitso’s $62m Series B round with QED Investors. Managing partner Szekasy has also joined Bitso’s board. Existing shareholders Coinbase Ventures and Pantera Capital joined the Bitso round.In 2019, Kaszek raised two new funds securing a total of $600m to invest in later-growth stage companies to tap into Latin America’s rapidly maturing tech ecosystems. The rollout of 4G has also helped to speed up the adoption of new technologies across the region, according to Kazah.
Kaszek Ventures is an Argentinian VC co-founded in 2011 by Hernan Kazah and Nicolas Szekasy, both hailing from Latin America’s e-commerce success story MercadoLibre. Starting with $95m, the VC made its first investment in Brazilian fintech, Nubank. The VC now has over 159 investments and has managed 21 exits. It mainly focuses on B2C solutions, mobile, healthcare technology, retail and media.The most recent Kaszek investment is in Latin America’s leading crypto platform Bitso, co-leading Bitso’s $62m Series B round with QED Investors. Managing partner Szekasy has also joined Bitso’s board. Existing shareholders Coinbase Ventures and Pantera Capital joined the Bitso round.In 2019, Kaszek raised two new funds securing a total of $600m to invest in later-growth stage companies to tap into Latin America’s rapidly maturing tech ecosystems. The rollout of 4G has also helped to speed up the adoption of new technologies across the region, according to Kazah.
CEMEX Ventures is the investment arm of global Mexican cement giant CEMEX and was established in 2017 with offices in Mexico, Spain, Colombia and China. It focuses exclusively on tech and non-tech solutions to painpoints in the construction sector. Every year, together with global management consultant Boston Consulting Group and startup monitoring platform Tracxn, it names its 50 Most Promising Startups in the Construction Ecosystem, investing in a few of the companies cited. It currently has 12 companies in its portfolio.Its most recent investments have included an undisclosed contribution to the funding round of US soil marketplace Soil Connect in 4Q 2020 and in the $1.7m July 2020 Series A round of US recycling company Arqlite.
CEMEX Ventures is the investment arm of global Mexican cement giant CEMEX and was established in 2017 with offices in Mexico, Spain, Colombia and China. It focuses exclusively on tech and non-tech solutions to painpoints in the construction sector. Every year, together with global management consultant Boston Consulting Group and startup monitoring platform Tracxn, it names its 50 Most Promising Startups in the Construction Ecosystem, investing in a few of the companies cited. It currently has 12 companies in its portfolio.Its most recent investments have included an undisclosed contribution to the funding round of US soil marketplace Soil Connect in 4Q 2020 and in the $1.7m July 2020 Series A round of US recycling company Arqlite.
Beyond Investing is a Geneva-based firm investing in early-stage venture capital and equity growth startups mainly in European developed markets. With average investments of €200,000, the firm’s core investment strategy focuses on sustainability with an investment period lasting 5–10 years.The impact investor targets innovative startups involved in vegan, cruelty-free and plant-based alternatives; biotechnologies, foodtech, new materials, clothing and lifestyle sectors. Successful portfolio foodtechs include Mosa Meat, BlueNalu and Shiok Meats.With a team of vegan finance professionals in the US and Europe, Beyond Investing listed the first US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN) on the New York Stock Exchange in September 2019. The ETF tracks Beyond Investing’s US Vegan Climate Index which covers an index of 495 of the largest-capitalization companies in the US stock market. The ethical investment option aims to exclude stocks in companies with activities that are not aligned with its vegan-themed, cruelty-free and fossil-fuel-free investing ethos.
Beyond Investing is a Geneva-based firm investing in early-stage venture capital and equity growth startups mainly in European developed markets. With average investments of €200,000, the firm’s core investment strategy focuses on sustainability with an investment period lasting 5–10 years.The impact investor targets innovative startups involved in vegan, cruelty-free and plant-based alternatives; biotechnologies, foodtech, new materials, clothing and lifestyle sectors. Successful portfolio foodtechs include Mosa Meat, BlueNalu and Shiok Meats.With a team of vegan finance professionals in the US and Europe, Beyond Investing listed the first US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN) on the New York Stock Exchange in September 2019. The ETF tracks Beyond Investing’s US Vegan Climate Index which covers an index of 495 of the largest-capitalization companies in the US stock market. The ethical investment option aims to exclude stocks in companies with activities that are not aligned with its vegan-themed, cruelty-free and fossil-fuel-free investing ethos.
Investing in Indonesia: The fintech companies driving a new influx of capital
With 66% of Indonesians not owning a bank account, fintech startups have come up with myriad innovative products to entice a new generation of retail investors
4YFN: Investment booms across Europe during pandemic
Speaking at the recent 4YFN conference, prolific European startup investor Mattias Ljungman provided a highly optimistic assessment of the continent's current ecosystem strength and climate for seed funding
Daniel Oliver: Building a "Facebook" for investments in biotech startups
The biologist and crowdfunding expert has pioneered the growth of Spanish biotech startups, providing access to early-stage investments, with support from scientific experts worldwide
Crowde-funding Indonesia's fields
Agritech startup Crowde offers retail investors direct access to Indonesia’s US$25 billion agricultural sector, transforming the way traditional farmers fund, run and grow their businesses
Because Animals: Pioneering cultured meat for pets
The biotech startup is disrupting the pet food processing industry with cell-based food to minimize environmental “pawprints” and promote animal welfare
Exclusive: Patamar Capital to raise US$150 million, eyes Series B investments
The impact investment VC recently scored an exit at Indonesian online-to-offline group buying startup Mapan, when it was bought over by Go-Jek
Sequoia Capital China holds steady with investments in healthcare, biotech and green economy
China’s most active investor increases bets on sectors beyond the consumer internet and edtech recently hurt by regulatory clampdown
European agritech is the new global focus, as startup investments nearly doubled in 2019
Last year, European agritech surpassed China for the first time in investments received, with openings in multiple subsectors from big data to blockchain
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
Qairos Energies: Mass producing green hydrogen from industrial hemp
The French startup is seeking a €19m Series B round to produce industrial quantities of green hydrogen and is planning a “circular economy” partnership with local farmers
Brazilian edtech Blox seeks to upgrade university education across Latin America
Blox plans to raise over $1m in 2021 to expand across Brazil and Mexico, giving more choices to students to personalize degree programs with its AI curriculum management SaaS
TuSimple: Banking on autonomous trucking in the US
TuSimple aims to scale its Waymo-style driverless trucking network to disrupt the $4tn global truck freight market starting with the US, with mass production by 2024
Coinscrap: Digital piggy banks for millennials
Smart savings app helps young consumers save and invest every cent of spare change by rounding up payments for purchases
Shotl: Making public transport smarter, more sustainable
The first on-demand European mass transit app, Shotl aims to revolutionize city transit
HEMAV: World’s leading drone services company for agriculture
Now a global leader known for its industry-targeted software, HEMAV has expanded to 15 countries, working with utilities, farms and public bodies
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